VIDEO: In an effort to raise awareness about cardiac disease in first responders, Phoenix-area firefighters are participating in National Safety Stand Down Awareness Week, which began Sunday.
Eric Vallier of the Scottsdale Fire Department said firefighters are 300 times more likely to get heart disease than the average person. He added firefighters are also more susceptible to contracting cancer due to the carcinogens in home furnishings they deal with while fighting fires.
“Those burn hotter, faster, and produce a lot more carcinogens,” he said. “There is a direct correlation between the fire service and cancer.”
Kerry Swick, the assistant chief of the Scottsdale Fire Department, had a heart attack in March 2018. He said early detection made him aware of the risk.