The Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department is marking January as  Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, occupational cancer is the leading cause of line of duty deaths. The town has taken several steps to address the issue.

In 2021, Gilbert Town Council approved the purchase of a second set of turnouts for every Gilbert firefighter to ensure they always have clean gear for their next call. These turnouts are tailored to specifically fit each individual firefighter and contain cancer-blocking agents within the gear.

GFRD also follows the Lavender Ribbon Report for Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer.

These steps include decontaminating gear with soap and water on scene following an event, putting contaminated gear in an exterior compartment of the trucks and out of any living quarters, decontaminating the apparatus following an event, and showering within an hour of returning to the station from a call.

GFRD also contracts with an outside agency to perform annual physicals on each department member. In addition to evaluating fitness levels, these physicals also check for any warning signs of cancer.

“Reducing the occurrence and impact of cancer for our members has been and will continue to be a primary area of focus for GFRD,”  Gilbert Fire Chief Rob Duggan said. “The Town of Gilbert and GFRD have partnered to bring industry-leading fire protective gear and annual physicals to reduce our exposure to cancer causing particulates and identify any cancers early, often before the onset of signs and symptoms.

"These efforts and other ongoing efforts are saving the lives of our current members and future generations of GFRD firefighters. We are deeply appreciative of our partner departments at the Town of Gilbert, the Town Manager’s Office, and our elected officials for supporting these efforts.”