Assembly Resolution No. 722
BY: M. of A. Buttenschon
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
January 2024, as Firefighter Cancer Prevention Month
in the State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health issues that affect the lives of our noble firemen and all
citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body hereby memorializes
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2024, as Firefighter Cancer
Prevention Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Firefighter Cancer Prevention Month; and
WHEREAS, January is designated as Firefighter Cancer Prevention
Month to provide firefighters the necessary tools and guidance to
develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those
with a cancer diagnosis within their departments; and
WHEREAS, Bringing increased public awareness to occupational cancer
in the fire service will help generate greater legislative support for
states and to establish presumptive disabilities for all cancers
affecting firefighters; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety
and Health, firefighters have a nine percent greater chance of being
diagnosed with cancer than the U.S. General Population, and a 14 percent
greater chance of dying from cancer than the general population; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, firefighter occupational cancer is the
leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service; and
WHEREAS, Firefighting settings are complex and contain various
hazardous substances, exposing these brave men and women to hundreds of
different chemicals in the form of gases, vapors, and particulates; some
of these chemical substances are known or suspected to cause cancer, and
many are byproducts of combustion or burning, such as benzene and
formaldehyde; others come from the materials burning or in the fire
debris, such as asbestos from older structures; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters can come into contact with chemicals by
breathing them in, getting them on their skin or in their eyes, or by
ingesting them; if protective clothing, known as turnout gear, is not
adequately cleaned or stored after a fire response or training event,
chemicals on the gear or equipment can contaminate vehicles and the fire
station; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, reusing dirty turnout gear or respiratory
protection can also result in exposures to hazardous substances; these
exposures can occur by skin contact with contaminated personal
protective equipment (PPE) or by breathing in or ingesting particles
from contaminated PPE; and
WHEREAS, It is important for the Fire Service to educate its members
about safe work practices; effective training promotes a safety culture
that cultivates sound work practices; sound work practices are designed
to reduce exposures to hazardous agents, which is key to reducing
occupational illnesses, including cancer; and
WHEREAS, Training that increases cancer awareness and physical
well-being may encourage firefighters to adopt work practices that lower
their exposures to cancer-causing substances; it can also help promote
healthier lifestyles which may also reduce their cancer risk and
increase the use of cancer screening tools; and
WHEREAS, Finally, an important component in the prevention of cancer
in the Fire Service is learning more about it; subsequently, the
National Firefighter Registry (NFR) was established as a voluntary
registry of active and former firefighters with the goal of
understanding and reducing cancer in the United States Fire Service; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of the
dangers of occupational cancer, and more must be done to increase
activity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2024, as
Firefighter Cancer Prevention Month in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
