Two Rock Volunteer Fire Batallion Chief, VFF board member, and cancer survivor Lori Anello receives acupuncture at a VFF wellness event / Sashwa Burrous / 2021
Firefighting can be dangerous – but not always for the reasons you’d imagine
Running into a burning building is inherently risky, but the greatest threats to firefighters are actually cancer and suicide. Both outcomes are tragic – and largely preventable with the right programs in place.
Nationwide, 66% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019 were from cancer.*
Volunteer firefighters in California may be especially vulnerable to the effects of carcinogenic exposure for two reasons:
Increased frequency and duration.
Volunteer firefighters used to be a highly localized resource. Now they’re a critical part of emergency response state-wide. In recent years, Sonoma County volunteer firefighters have deployed on strike teams to major incidents from the Oregon border to San Bernadino County, often for weeks at a time, and frequently in wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones, where toxic building materials burn with disastrous consequences for human health.
Insufficient equipment.
To complicate matters, many volunteer fire departments can’t afford basic but pricy equipment to decontaminate their stations and gear, such as specialized washing machines to rid their protective clothing of toxic pollutants, and fire engine exhaust fans to protect their apparatus bays from carcinogens. We believe all firefighters should have access to the same protective equipment.
Our solution: Integrative Wellness Programs
Chemical exposure during wildland firefighting is inevitable, even for well-funded firefighters. But a chronic illness diagnosis doesn’t have to be. We support the health of our volunteer firefighters in the following ways:
Wellness events. We provide quarterly mind-body wellness events in partnership with Integrative Healer’s Action Network to not only treat acute occupational issues but also contribute to a shifting fire culture that is just beginning to value and embrace integrative healing practices
Doctor-led detox. VFF has partnered with local medical practitioners experienced in treating first responders for chemical exposure and specializing in the closely entwined fields of cancer treatment and environmental medicine. Together we’ve launched a treatment and research program to not only prolong the lives and careers of our volunteer firefighters but also to collect critical data to present to university researchers
Mental health support. Learn more here
We ran the data on our wellness events.
-
Pain decreased.
69.2% of respondents reported lower levels of pain
-
Anxiety decreased.
77% of respondents reported lower levels of anxiety
-
Would return.
95% of respondents said they are "very likely" to participate in another event like this one
-
Would recommend.
100% of respondents said they are "very likely" to recommend the event to someone else
What volunteer firefighters are saying.
“I have a lot of gratitude for the [VFF wellness] program and the people who dedicate their time and energy to supporting first responders. The modes of treatment have been thoughtfully considered based on our stressors and needs. I hope to find the service available during future fire events where appropriate since knowing that the treatments are accessible at that time gives me something to look forward to.”
— Anonymous, volunteer firefighter
“There are not enough words. This event is incredibly healing, internally and externally. You leave feeling renewed and refreshed and SO LOVED. Incredibly grateful.”
— Tonia B., volunteer firefighter
“It was like an exclusive spa day with good, happy people. Can’t wait to do it again!”
– Anonymous, volunteer firefighter
“This entire group of amazing people made the entire experience amazing. To be honest, I went with no small amount of trepidation, but Jacqui from the Volunteer Fire Foundation assured me it would be worthwhile. She did not disappoint. I left there not only physically refreshed, but my spirit and soul were nourished by the kindness of this troop of strangers.”
— V.B., volunteer firefighter
Volunteer Fire Foundation is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our volunteer firefighters through wellness programming, education, and grants.
Occidental volunteer firefighter Josh Cerda receives nebulized glutathione to detoxify his lungs at one of our Volunteer Fire Wellness Events in partnership with Integrative Healers Action Network.