Our goal
Commitment to Cancer Prevention.
The goal of the Local 21 Cancer Task Force is to reduce cancer risks and improve both short- and long-term health outcomes for our members through education, prevention, and advocacy. Our committee is committed to promoting a culture of early detection, safe practices, and continuous improvement to protect firefighters from occupational cancer. We actively research best practices and pursue equipment and initiatives that help reduce cancer risks and improve the health and safety of our department.
Key missions accomplished include:
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Successfully advocated for personnel to have two sets of turnout gear so that they will always have a clean set ready to use
Issued particulate-blocking hoods for all fire personnel
Delivered department-wide education on gross decontamination, keeping dirty hose and gear out of the cab, and SCBA use during and through overhaul
Supported early cancer screening initiatives and expanded access to physicals for members
Issued documentation for members to bring to their doctors to assist with early detection testing
Partnered with MNFIRE to host cancer awareness deep dives and share member stories
Assisted with department policy updates encouraging showering within the hour and discouraging leaving dirty hose for oncoming crews to wash
Assisted with the design of the new Station 7 to include cold, warm, and hot zones to keep carcinogens out of living areas
Successfully pushed for gear extractors and dryers to be installed in each station
Collaborated with the St. Paul Fire Foundation to encourage the purchase of infrared saunas
Completed a department sauna study
Supplied information and tests for women in the fire service
Joined the Pink Patch Project for breast cancer
Distributed Soot Soap to remove PFAS and carcinogens from the body and hair while eliminating odor
Purchased hose washers to clean hose outside the station, reducing the risk of tracking carcinogens into living and sleeping quarters
