Firefighters are often exposed to many different chemicals, toxins and other particles when they are putting out fires. Fighting those fires often means putting their lives on the line while saving someone else.
By fighting the flames, they intake the chemicals that could lead to cancer.
Charlottesville Fire Chief Andrew Baxter said he is trying to do everything he can to prevent that from happening.
"We're constantly looking to see what's the next thing in terms of screening and healthy behavior and operational practices and equipment and decontamination and all of that," said Baxter.
Baxter said he wants to leave behind a legacy where his crew does not suffer the same fate many other firefighters succumb to.
"I feel sort of privileged to be able to do is set in motion policies and procedures and a culture that will pay off long after I'm gone," he said.