11/29/2025
This summer Atrium Foundation was honored to sponsor the Applegate Fire District in their efforts to raise funds to fight against cancer for Firefighters.
All funds raised supported the purchase of specialized Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) washer/extractor for the Applegate Fire District.
Cancer risk and firefighters:
Did you know that firefighters face significantly higher risks of developing cancer due to repeated exposure to hazardous substances during many of their operations? Whether it is smoke inhalation, absorption through the skin, or ingestion, toxic chemicals from fires and other emergency settings accumulate in the body, resulting in extremely high incidence of Mesothelioma, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, prostate and testicular cancer and other cancers and illnesses.
Unfortunately, firefighters’ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE, including suits, boots, helmets, etc.) and their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), also get covered in carcinogenic materials, increasing risk of repeated exposure for firefighters, even after the fire or other emergency event.
The best way to reduce firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens is for them to clean themselves and all exposed equipment immediately after the event. As you might imagine, cleaning this specialized equipment requires special treatment, to meet federal safety standards and preserve the equipment’s condition for long term use.
We are a community and we are in the fight to stop cancer together!
