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Fire Department expands cancer screenings, behavioral health outreach and recruitment efforts
Summary
Deputy Chief Shane Kayealoha briefed commissioners on expanded firefighter health screenings (including esophageal and melanoma checks), partnerships with diagnostic providers, a firefighter cancer network, and behavioral health and recruitment programs; roughly 750 members signed up for screenings and 50 behavioral-health contacts were reported for September.
Department leaders told the Fire Commission they are expanding health and well-being programs for firefighters while continuing recruitment and training efforts.
"Cancer has accounted for nearly 70 percent of cancer among firefighters deaths in the past 20 years," the deputy chief summarized, citing occupational risk and introducing upcoming screening events in November with United Diagnostic Services and partners. He said nearly 750 department members have signed up for screening programs, including ultrasound and other diagnostic services.
The department also reported that a PFAS-free turnout study has moved to Phase 3 and turnout items have been shipped to North Carolina for durability testing. Captain Heather Buren and the behavioral health unit recorded 50 contacts in September; staff emphasized outreach and training, including advanced suicide-prevention courses and attendance at national conferences to improve peer support and leadership capacity.
Recruitment efforts continue: Lieutenant Anderson and staff ran a boot camp at the Treasure Island training facility and are preparing for the 135th academy class, while the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center screening and background processes were described as streamlined to process multiple packets per day.
Commissioners praised the outreach and asked clarifying questions about screening scope, lithium-ion suppression additives and the location of the laboratory performing turnout-gear analysis. Staff provided technical clarifications and said some details (specific lab locations) were not confirmed in the meeting.
