GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Greenwood Fire Department (GFD), in collaboration with Community Health Network and GRAIL, is launching an important initiative to address the heightened cancer risks faced by firefighters.
This partnership will provide both current and retired members of the Greenwood Fire Department access to the Galleri test, an innovative blood screening capable of detecting signals for over 50 types of cancer, often before symptoms appear.
The program’s kickoff event is this Tuesday, October 1, at 9 a.m., at GFD Station 91, 155 E. Main St., in Greenwood.
Out of a current staff of 68 and our retired members, 54 individuals have chosen to participate in this vital screening. Firefighters are at an increased risk of developing cancer due to their exposure to various carcinogens in the line of duty.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters are twice as likely to develop certain cancers compared to the general population. A 2023 report from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) found that approximately 72% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths were attributed to occupational cancer.
Early detection is crucial for effective treatment and improving survival rates. Adding the Galleri test to existing screening protocols offers a proactive approach to health monitoring.
Greenwood Fire’s Division Chief of EMS Jon Myers emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Cancer is one of the leading causes of firefighter death. It can affect them not only during their careers but also years after. It’s our responsibility to provide them with tools and resources to detect cancers or illnesses that are a result of the job.”
The screenings for both current and retired members of the Greenwood Fire Department are being facilitated through a partnership with the Community Health Network.
