Tempe Launches Cancer Screenings For Firefighters

TEMPE, AZ — The city of Tempe is taking action to protect its first responders.

Firefighters are constantly exposed to toxins on the job, putting the industry at a high risk for cancer and leading to higher death rates. To help the 169 members of Tempe Fire Medical Rescue, the city has launched a cancer screening program to combat what is becoming an epidemic.

The program will aim to catch cancer in its earliest stages, according to a news release. Each firefighter will receive an initial cancer screening, a dermatological screening and a full body exam. Additional screenings, such as a QT ultrasound, low-dose lung CT and whole-body MRI, are available for firefighters based on age. The program was, in part, inspired by the death of Tommy Arriaga, 36, who lost his cancer battle in March 2020.

“Tommy's passing and hard-fought battle with colorectal cancer serves as a reminder of the hazards associated with firefighting,” Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Carman said in a statement. “We need to ensure Tommy's passing was not in vain. Tommy was a young and healthy firefighter, so his diagnosis was shocking. The carcinogenic hazards due to firefighting do not discriminate and must be taken seriously.”

Tempe Fire sought and was awarded a $338,272 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been combined with Tempe's funding of $33,827. The grant money must be used by July 6, according to the release.

The cancer screening program was created by Dr. Vershalee Shukla of the Vincere Cancer Center.

Tempe Fire said that firefighters can also take other precautions to protect themselves from toxins, including washing turnouts, post-fire decontamination, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, showering within an hour of a fire and limiting exposure to diesel exhaust.

The department said it hopes cancer screenings become standard in firefighting programs across the U.S.

As Arriaga said before his death: “Enjoy the job, because it can be there one day and gone the next.”