Hernando County Fire Rescue bought new hoods for their firefighters to help reduce the risk of cancer.
- Hoods provide more protection for firefighters
- Study: Firefighters have higher cancer diagnosis than general public
- Extra neck, jaw protection are features of hoods
Battalion Chief Robert Miller knows all too well the health risks involved with being a firefighter.
About two years ago, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, and he believes his job was part of the cause.
"Transported to Oak Hill hospital," Miller recalled. "Found out I was bleeding internally. Kept me a couple of nights, gave me two units of blood that night. That day a colonoscopy revealed I had colon cancer. With my family history and work related, I'm sure it all played a part."
He is now in remission but so many other firefighters have similar stories.
In fact, firefighters in a recent study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health had a 9 percent increase in cancer diagnosis than the general population and a 14 percent increase in cancer related deaths.
It's because of numbers like that that Division Chief of Operations Billotte said the hoods are so important.
"If it can reduce cancer in any capacity, you can't really put a price tag on that when it comes to our firefighters," Billotte said.
The new hoods that came out last year have an extra barrier around the neck and jaw area, giving firefighters more protection than they had with their hoods before.
"I feel much more comfortable, especially for the new firefighters that are coming on the job. Now they've got an added layer of protection that firefighters didn't have before," Billotte said.
Miller said he's thankful to have that added protection, hoping it will help ensure he never has to battle cancer again.
"If it discourages one firefighter anywhere from getting cancer, great," Miller said.
Other departments through the Bay area, including in Polk and Pinellas counties, are also using the new hoods.