Adopting an improved culture or changing behavior to elevate the desire to reduce firefighter cancer risk requires patience and perseverance. At Tualatin Valley (OR) Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), our culture developed over time. Our cultural norm changed through many experiences. Some of our experiences were firsthand—department members or retirees who passed away from cancer. Other experiences were gained by paying attention to things happening around us—national trends, legislation changes in our state, and scientific studies. Our leaders, with support of our union leaders, were committed to reducing the impact of cancer on our members.
TVF&R was fortunate, with the support of the State of Oregon Governors State Fire Service Policy Council, to conduct live testing for a study on chemicals found at fire incidents. This study discovered a number of toxins present and developed an understanding of how and when exposures occur at a fire scene. The real benefit of this study is that it made the problem “real” for our firefighters and leadership. No longer was it a supposition that the black, sooty residue on our PPE was bad for us. This study, and others, made it possible for TVF&R to create best practices and policy change that worked at creating a safer environment for all of our staff.
There was some hesitation by some of our firefighters to change. Our personnel who worked at busy stations were used to having dirty helmets and gear as a badge of honor. Our experience did not expose any generational differences, although I am sure that newer members wanted to have a longer, healthy career. Our senior firefighters wanted to be healthy after retirement. We had buy-in from all levels of the organization. Most importantly, TVF&R made this a priority. You can too. You don’t need to conduct a study or experience a member’s death. Identify best practices available to your agency, develop policy, habituate the practices, fund the items that need an investment, and watch the culture change.
Mark Havener
Assistant Chief
Tualatin Valley (OR) Fire & Rescue
