CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “I was honored to stand next to members of the Hillsborough County firefighting community today to present more than 70 cancer-fighting decontamination kits. In 2016 alone, cancer caused 70 percent of career firefighter line of duty deaths across the nation, and firefighters have a nearly 15 percent higher risk of dying from cancer. These numbers are unacceptable and cancer prevalence in firefighters is not up for debate. We must continue to ensure these heroes have the tools needed to stay healthy and safe.”

 

Four thousand decontamination kits will be distributed throughout Florida. More than 1,000 kits have already been distributed with the remainder of the kits to be delivered in the coming weeks. Each kit includes the tools needed for firefighters to effectively clean gear after a fire. The decontamination kits were awarded through a $1 million grant to the firefighter cancer mitigation grant program. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has developed a website, www.sylvesternewbadgeofhonor.com, which contains related educational materials, along with other resources designed to help educate firefighters about cancer risks and processes that might help reduce those risks.