Federal funds help expand firefighter study
Federal funds have been made available to the University of Washington in Seattle to expand ongoing research for the Northwest Firefighters Mortality Study. The study is exploring whether exposure to smoke increases the incidence of cancer among firefighters.
The funds will come partly from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration, which will provide $82,000. The Seattle Firefighters Pension Board, the Seattle Fire Department, and the Seattle Firefighters Association will also sponsor the research.
As part of the Seattle study already underway, participating fire departments in Tacoma, Bellevue, and Kent, WA, and Portland, OR, will supply data to the University’s Harborview Medical Center.
The study will analyze all firefighter deaths, with special emphasis on possible increases in cancer deaths that may be linked to smoke exposure.
The study will also compare firefighter deaths with those in the general United States population, and with a group of police officers who have similar socioeconomic status, age distribution, and physical requirements for the job.
The results of this research should be compiled into a report by April 1987. At that time, the study may be extended for an additional 42 months in order to collect more data.
For more information contact: The U.S. Fire Administration, Office of Firefighter Health and Safety, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Phone: (301) 447-6771, extension 6278.
