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Fire chief: statewide screening finds cancers among asymptomatic firefighters
Summary
Pleasant Grove fire chief reported results from a statewide firefighter screening pilot: among roughly 128 firefighters tested, 13 had positive cancer findings many without symptoms; the statewide program plans to test 500 firefighters per year and 1,500 over three years.
Pleasant Grove — In a staff report at the Feb. 17 council meeting, the fire chief (identified in remarks as Keith) summarized results from a statewide firefighter cancer-screening program and described local mitigation efforts.
The chief said the statewide program screened roughly 128 firefighters and found 13 positive cancer results; many of those firefighters were asymptomatic. He described the screening process — including MRI, CAT scans, dermatologist and urology reviews — and said the program’s initial plan will test 500 firefighters per year, with a three‑year goal of 1,500. The chief emphasized that the screening is intended to find otherwise undetected conditions.
Locally, the chief detailed department practices to reduce exposure risks: doubling turnout sets so crews are not contaminated, washing turnout gear, changing hoods and encouraging prompt decontamination after incidents. He said some earlier pilots in Arizona produced similar findings and that the state is working to secure funding to expand testing.
The chief noted preliminary statistics on incidence and that further analysis of the statewide data will continue; he framed the local emphasis as prevention and tracking rather than an immediate budget change.
Council members asked how testing priorities are set; the chief said age and years of service factor into the matrix and that the statewide program is refining protocols as more data arrive.
