South King Fire and Rescue’s uniforms may look a bit different this month — but for a good reason.
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month this October, SKFR members can be found in shirts sporting pink IAFF Local 2024 and department decals.
“I personally have a passion for cancer awareness, especially in the fire service,” said SKFR Lt. Shannon Oltman, who headed the awareness project. “It really meant a lot to have support from both sides, not only the Local, but also the administration to bring this to fruition.”
For decades, there has been a lack of understanding surrounding the prevalence of cancer in the fire service, Oltman explained.
It used to not be a big deal because people didn’t realize the link between the work environments of firefighting and the link to cancer, she said.