The city of South Fulton said they are taking preempting actions to help firefighters deal with suicides and educate firefighters on cancer prevention.
According to a press release, the city council voted to team up with SiteMed, a Marietta-based healthcare company, to provide yearly medical exams and one-on-one counseling to fire rescue employees.
Council members decided to take action after a startling number of cancer-related deaths and suicides by firefighters nationwide.
The International Association of Firefighters reported there were 20 firefighter cancer deaths reported throughout the U.S. in 2018.
In 2018, the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance reported 82 firefighters and 21 EMTs and paramedics died by suicide.