VIDEO: One of the leading causes of death for firefighters is cancer, often caused by exposure to toxic chemicals that they may face while responding to a fire. Harmful chemicals put firefighters at an additional risk when they’re serving the community, but recent initiatives are hoping to protect them from these dangers. Station 12 of New Hanover County Fire Rescue replaced their 20-year-old truck with a new one that includes features that can make a big difference after fighting fires. The new truck contains a special storage compartment on the outside that is used to transport contaminated gear back to the station after a fire. The firefighters are required to place their turnout gear in the unit after each fire, before entering the clean apparatus cab.