The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the state fire marshal announced Monday that they will join forces to address the high rate of cancer among firefighters detailed in a Dispatch investigation published last month. BWC officials said they plan to work with the fire marshal to provide grants to departments across the state for equipment that “protect against carcinogens and other harmful elements.” The fire marshal already is providing a $500,000 fund for training and exposure prevention. The BWC is committing another $1 million in training to improve emergency response and reduce exposures. “Firefighters put their lives on the line on a daily basis,” State Fire Marshal Jeff Hussey said in a prepared statement. “We want to ensure they’re equipped with the best resources to do their jobs safely.”