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21 March 2025
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More Connecticut firefighters are getting cancer; Bill aims to reduce that with early screenings, US
Paul Spennato had just celebrated his daughter’s first birthday when he discovered a myxoid liposcara tumour behind his knee. The 14-year firefighter with the Westport Fire Department, underwent radiology that burned his leg so badly, doctors had to delay surgery to remove the tumour. He also used all his sick time on expensive treatments, said Spennato, now 39, of Milford. Spennato has been in remission since 2017 and considers himself one of the lucky ones because he could see the tumour and act fast. Some of his colleagues however, have hidden cancers that worsen over time.
“What would be beneficial is if we catch this a lot quicker,” he said. “I was able to see it. (Firefighters) aren’t aware until it’s too late. Many are trying to get these tests on their own. That’s a lot of stuff that’s out of pocket and our insurance doesn’t pay.”
Spennato found support with a mentor from the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and after remission, has travelled the state touting early detection and screenings for firefighters. He’s not alone.
Meriden proposed money to screen its firefighters for cancer and several bills introduced this session aim to help firefighters detect and prevent cancer.
Jeffrey Bond is a retired physician assistant, volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department who has researched the cancer risks among firefighters. “Occupational cancer is killing firefighters in Connecticut and across the country,” Bond recently testified before the General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee.
A recent report showed United Diagnostic Services did ultrasound testing in eight Connecticut fire departments. Of those 935 screenings, there 146 high risk findings or 16 percent of those screened, he said.
“Firefighters face a nine percent increase in a cancer diagnosis and a 14 percent increase in cancer related deaths,” Bond said. “In 2017, the Connecticut State Commission of Fire Prevention and Control estimated that there were 26 800 firefighters in Connecticut, 22 350 were volunteer and 4 450 were career firefighters.”
Bond’s concerns reached state Rep. John Piscopo, R-Burlington, who proposed a bill that would create a cancer screening and detection pilot programme for a paid department and a volunteer department. If successful, it can be expanded to other communities.
“Jeff has done a tremendous amount of research,” Piscopo said. “Those cancers caught early can save lives. What seemed like a coincidence has become a documented case of certain cancers that firefighters are getting more than the average public. As we know the costs of treating cancer is high and, as we also know, if caught early cancer can be treated and exterminated in many cases.”
Dozens of firefighters in Connecticut have filed a federal lawsuit saying their gear contains cancer-causing chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. There are also bills this session calling for the removal of these chemicals from firefighters’ gear, equipment and apparatus.
PFAS are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in various products, including cookware, food packaging and firefighting foams, known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.
“Early detection is the key to saving lives,” Joe Speich, Assistant Chief of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department told lawymakers. “Our volunteers give so much of their time and effort to our community, the least we can do in return is screen them for a potentially deadly diagnosis.”
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, 72 percent of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths in 2023 were due to occupational cancer. The IAFF’s research showed firefighters are at greater risk for testicular cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, skin cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, colon cancer and leukaemia. Preliminary results also show a greater risk of breast cancer in women.
The state created the Firefighters Cancer Relief Programme in 2016 but it doesn’t go far enough to cover treatment and other costs. Also, the onus up until last year, was on the firefighter to prove the cancer was job related, Spennato and others said.
Lawmakers broadened the cancer screening legislation and included provisions to reimburse municipalities who rid their fire equipment of PFAS.
According to Spennato and other fire experts, synthetics and plastics found in modern furniture and building materials burn quickly and create a poisonous black smoke that can be dangerous when inhaled. “As studies have shown there are two problems with gear,” said state Rep Michael Quinn, D-Meriden, who is one of two sponsors of a broader bill. “In gear, the warmer it gets the more it is activated. When they wear the gear it absorbs harmful PFAS. There are manufacturers that are working on PSFAS-free gear that is safer but is it durable?”
The bill calls for grants for the removal of PFAS from fire apparatus and on municipalities to provide additional sets of turnout gear to firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer, have a predisposition to cancer or have an increased risk of developing cancer.
It also establishes a pilot programme to screen paid and volunteer firefighters for cancers common to firefighters, and make independent fire companies and state entities eligible for grants to remove PFAs from fire apparatus.
In 2021, Connecticut passed a law banning the use of firefighting foams that intentionally added a PFAS substance for vapour suppression. Removal came with steep costs. The grants included in the bill will allow municipalities or departments to recoup the cost to transition to PFA-free foam products.
John Carew, the past-president and current legislative consultant of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, supports the bill but like others, has concerns about the costs and effectiveness of the new equipment.
“It is likely that the costs associated with this extra gear, whether for small, large, paid, or volunteer departments will result in a large burden to local taxpayers,” Carew testified. “We also wanted to raise concerns regarding the limited availability of PFAS-free equipment. This newer PFAS-free gear is not holding up to the task as well as the older gear.”
In addition to concerns about the costs and equipment, fire experts also question which cancer screening tests will be used and who determines a higher than usual risk? They also questioned who gets the “safer equipment?”
“Are they talking about a blood test, which has picked up some cancers, or the full ultrasound and blood test?” said Bud Meyers, president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association. “There is currently no manufacturer producing chemical-free gear. So, that’s going to take a long time before that equipment is available.”
Quinn said the bill includes the one-year pilot programme to screen for cancer similar to Piscopo’s bill but also establishes a mechanism for plans to remediate and remove PFAS from gear.
The plan allocates $3 million to DESPP to provide grants to municipalities, independent fire companies and state agencies. This money can also be used to reimburse departments that already spent money to remove PFAS from apparatus prior to July 1, 2023.
Cities and towns, such as Meriden are already scheduling cancer screenings for their firefighters and updating machines used to wash gear, at a cost of $18 000 each. The city is hoping to rely on grants to reach its goals.
The committee had until March 18 to move the bill forward to the House floor for further action.
Source: Journal Inquirer
“What would be beneficial is if we catch this a lot quicker,” he said. “I was able to see it. (Firefighters) aren’t aware until it’s too late. Many are trying to get these tests on their own. That’s a lot of stuff that’s out of pocket and our insurance doesn’t pay.”
Spennato found support with a mentor from the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and after remission, has travelled the state touting early detection and screenings for firefighters. He’s not alone.
Meriden proposed money to screen its firefighters for cancer and several bills introduced this session aim to help firefighters detect and prevent cancer.
Jeffrey Bond is a retired physician assistant, volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department who has researched the cancer risks among firefighters. “Occupational cancer is killing firefighters in Connecticut and across the country,” Bond recently testified before the General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee.
A recent report showed United Diagnostic Services did ultrasound testing in eight Connecticut fire departments. Of those 935 screenings, there 146 high risk findings or 16 percent of those screened, he said.
“Firefighters face a nine percent increase in a cancer diagnosis and a 14 percent increase in cancer related deaths,” Bond said. “In 2017, the Connecticut State Commission of Fire Prevention and Control estimated that there were 26 800 firefighters in Connecticut, 22 350 were volunteer and 4 450 were career firefighters.”
Bond’s concerns reached state Rep. John Piscopo, R-Burlington, who proposed a bill that would create a cancer screening and detection pilot programme for a paid department and a volunteer department. If successful, it can be expanded to other communities.
“Jeff has done a tremendous amount of research,” Piscopo said. “Those cancers caught early can save lives. What seemed like a coincidence has become a documented case of certain cancers that firefighters are getting more than the average public. As we know the costs of treating cancer is high and, as we also know, if caught early cancer can be treated and exterminated in many cases.”
Dozens of firefighters in Connecticut have filed a federal lawsuit saying their gear contains cancer-causing chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. There are also bills this session calling for the removal of these chemicals from firefighters’ gear, equipment and apparatus.
PFAS are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals used in various products, including cookware, food packaging and firefighting foams, known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.
“Early detection is the key to saving lives,” Joe Speich, Assistant Chief of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department told lawymakers. “Our volunteers give so much of their time and effort to our community, the least we can do in return is screen them for a potentially deadly diagnosis.”
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, 72 percent of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths in 2023 were due to occupational cancer. The IAFF’s research showed firefighters are at greater risk for testicular cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, skin cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, colon cancer and leukaemia. Preliminary results also show a greater risk of breast cancer in women.
The state created the Firefighters Cancer Relief Programme in 2016 but it doesn’t go far enough to cover treatment and other costs. Also, the onus up until last year, was on the firefighter to prove the cancer was job related, Spennato and others said.
Lawmakers broadened the cancer screening legislation and included provisions to reimburse municipalities who rid their fire equipment of PFAS.
According to Spennato and other fire experts, synthetics and plastics found in modern furniture and building materials burn quickly and create a poisonous black smoke that can be dangerous when inhaled. “As studies have shown there are two problems with gear,” said state Rep Michael Quinn, D-Meriden, who is one of two sponsors of a broader bill. “In gear, the warmer it gets the more it is activated. When they wear the gear it absorbs harmful PFAS. There are manufacturers that are working on PSFAS-free gear that is safer but is it durable?”
The bill calls for grants for the removal of PFAS from fire apparatus and on municipalities to provide additional sets of turnout gear to firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer, have a predisposition to cancer or have an increased risk of developing cancer.
It also establishes a pilot programme to screen paid and volunteer firefighters for cancers common to firefighters, and make independent fire companies and state entities eligible for grants to remove PFAs from fire apparatus.
In 2021, Connecticut passed a law banning the use of firefighting foams that intentionally added a PFAS substance for vapour suppression. Removal came with steep costs. The grants included in the bill will allow municipalities or departments to recoup the cost to transition to PFA-free foam products.
John Carew, the past-president and current legislative consultant of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, supports the bill but like others, has concerns about the costs and effectiveness of the new equipment.
“It is likely that the costs associated with this extra gear, whether for small, large, paid, or volunteer departments will result in a large burden to local taxpayers,” Carew testified. “We also wanted to raise concerns regarding the limited availability of PFAS-free equipment. This newer PFAS-free gear is not holding up to the task as well as the older gear.”
In addition to concerns about the costs and equipment, fire experts also question which cancer screening tests will be used and who determines a higher than usual risk? They also questioned who gets the “safer equipment?”
“Are they talking about a blood test, which has picked up some cancers, or the full ultrasound and blood test?” said Bud Meyers, president of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association. “There is currently no manufacturer producing chemical-free gear. So, that’s going to take a long time before that equipment is available.”
Quinn said the bill includes the one-year pilot programme to screen for cancer similar to Piscopo’s bill but also establishes a mechanism for plans to remediate and remove PFAS from gear.
The plan allocates $3 million to DESPP to provide grants to municipalities, independent fire companies and state agencies. This money can also be used to reimburse departments that already spent money to remove PFAS from apparatus prior to July 1, 2023.
Cities and towns, such as Meriden are already scheduling cancer screenings for their firefighters and updating machines used to wash gear, at a cost of $18 000 each. The city is hoping to rely on grants to reach its goals.
The committee had until March 18 to move the bill forward to the House floor for further action.
Source: Journal Inquirer