SBY Fire Department announces comprehensive safety protocol, aimed at slashing cancer risk for first responders

SALISBURY, Md – The Salisbury Fire Department is announcing new safety tech and protocols meant to drastically slash the cases of cancer among firefighters.

It all has to do with the chemicals and carcinogenic material- that is left on the gear when firefighters return from a call.

Those chemicals have the potential to seep into the material, and then into the skin fire fighters putting them at heightened risk for serious health conditions including cancer.

The department says a comprehensive safety program will help to purge that equipment and reduce the risk.

“we are doing is we’re issuing two Nomex hoods to every member so that they can swap those out, if one gets dirty, they can replace that, we also have placed in service gear, washers, and dryers at each station that are used after a member goes to a fire to clean their gear thoroughly,” said Assitant Fire Chief Rod Frampton.

Frampton says the project is fully funded and hopes it can work, alongside better ventilation, protective wipes, and more to cut the risk factor for those who serve in the department.