Riva Duncan was ecstatic when Congress passed legislation in 2022 that aimed to provide enhanced support for federal wildland firefighters grappling with the repercussions of cancer. As a retired US Forest Service (USFS) fire officer, Duncan had dedicated years to advocating for those within her ranks, particularly for the friends and colleagues who faced a disproportionate incidence of serious illness.
The landmark 2022 law introduced “presumptive cancer coverage” for firefighters, allowing them to access workers’ compensation without the daunting burden of proving that their cancers—and other significant illnesses—resulted directly from their hazardous work environments. This pivotal change was met with great hope, as it eliminated a major obstacle in securing necessary benefits and financial assistance for crippling conditions like lung and heart diseases.
However, upon deeper examination of the newly established rules, she recognized a concerning omission.
Notably absent from the list of covered cancers were numerous types that significantly impact women’s health. While men-specific cancers such as testicular and prostate were acknowledged, crucial female cancers including breast, ovarian, cervical, and uterine still required proof of connection to their perilous profession.
“It just felt like a slap in the face,” she remarked. “Why do we still have to remind people that women fight fire?”
Duncan has since taken on the role of vice-president for the advocacy organization Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, which has made this exclusion a paramount concern. Together with 16 other organizations such as the National Federation of Federal Employees and the International Association of Wildland Fire, the group has urged Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su to rectify this oversight by December 15.
Statistics from Grassroots indicate that women currently represent about 16% of the federal firefighting workforce. Federal agencies are making concerted efforts to recruit more women into this critical field. However, the challenges remain formidable, as the job’s inherent risks continue to escalate.
The intensifying climate crisis is fueling an increase in catastrophic wildfires, threatening more homes and communities in their wake. As a result, firefighters are exposed to toxic smoke and soot, which permeate their clothing and equipment, posing serious long-term health risks.
Firefighters have long been aware of their heightened risk factors; their daily responsibilities expose them to harmful smoke, chemicals, and ash. For those tasked with battling wildfires in rugged or remote locations, opportunities to wash off these contaminants or take necessary breaks are incredibly limited. Many spend extended periods on the fire line, often sleeping outdoors amidst the smoke.
The personal toll is palpable within the firefighting community, as many are acquainted with those diagnosed with cancers that are rare or appear at an unusually younger age. According to The Firefighter Cancer Support Network, last year, nearly 72% of in-the-line-of-duty fatalities among firefighters were attributed to cancers associated with their occupation.
Yet, scientific research remains insufficient. “Few statistics are available specifically for wildland firefighters,” states information posted by the Forest Service, which employs the majority of federal firefighters.
Without targeted studies documenting the specific occupational hazards encountered by wildland firefighters, the progression of policy has lagged behind necessity. After years of advocacy and failed legislative efforts, the 2022 bill was finally enacted, instructing the Department of Labor to streamline claims for federal firefighters battling “occupational diseases,” including various forms of cancer.
The list of cancers now covered includes: esophageal, colorectal, prostate, testicular, kidney, bladder, brain, lung, buccal cavity/pharynx, larynx, thyroid, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, mesothelioma, and melanoma.
“It was almost disbelief,” said federal firefighter Pete Dutchick, reflecting on the joyous moment he learned of the bill’s passage. As a member of the advocacy team at Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, he noted that this milestone marked a significant acknowledgment of previously unrecognized risks. “We were extremely pleased and we still are,” he stated, underscoring the continued need for action to include female-specific cancers in the coverage plan.
“It is a matter of ethically doing what’s right. It is a matter of equity,” he emphasized. “We made a promise that we would continue to fight for these things,” he affirmed, highlighting that success at the federal level could serve as a catalyst for improved coverage at the state and local levels.
Individuals diagnosed with non-qualifying cancers have been advised to submit their claims, a process Dutchick described as adding a daunting layer of bureaucracy “that might not go your way” for those already engaged in an exhausting battle for their lives.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor remains focused on awaiting sufficient data before making further decisions.
“Presently, there are no new published papers to support the presumption that fire protection and suppression activities cause an increased risk of female reproductive cancers,” announced Nancy Griswold, an official from the Department of Labor in an emailed statement. She added that ongoing reviews of scientific evidence aim to determine if additional conditions, including female reproductive cancers, should qualify for coverage.
“We know that in general, health women have not been studied like men have been,” stated Duncan. “But we have been connecting those dots for a long time. We have seen our young friends get cancers that are supposedly rare – and then you know four people who get it.”
Beyond the immediate health impact faced by firefighters diagnosed with female reproductive cancers, Duncan noted that this issue exacerbates existing divisions and challenges for women in the field. “Women shouldn’t have to fight for the recognition and the same equal coverage as men,” she asserted.
Kaleena Lynde, a 22-year-old member of an elite hotshot crew responsible for tackling some of the most physically demanding firefighting tasks, found her life disrupted by cancer.
Despite her youth, fitness, and a lack of familial or genetic predispositions, medical professionals discovered a 5.4-pound tumor, eventually diagnosing her with advanced stage III ovarian cancer that had metastasized into her lymphatic system.
“It is a very rare type of cancer but even more rare to be in somebody not in menopause,” she noted. Tragically, another officer from the same station would succumb to cancer of a similar nature to hers. Additionally, two other firefighting comrades faced thyroid cancer diagnoses. “I always see GoFundMes pop up for firefighters,” she remarked.
Her arduous recovery unfolded over several years, but Lynde was determined to return to her beloved profession. Celebrating more than two decades in firefighting, she hopes her story will inspire others committed to this demanding career despite the overwhelming challenges.
The fire service has made significant strides in supporting female firefighters, and she remains optimistic that their recent calls will be heeded. In the early days of her career, proper firefighting gear for women was almost non-existent.
“The crotch went down to our knees because we aren’t built the same way,” she explained, noting that many women had to resort to sewing operator adjustments to make their nomex pants and jackets appropriately fitting. “Unless there is a woman in the process or on the panel, they just don’t think about women being part of it,” she added.
Flexibility and support are critical to enable firefighters to navigate this perilous work landscape in the future. Advocates emphasize that achieving equal coverage for female firefighters is an essential initial step.
“With the environment we are in when we are fighting fire,” she concluded, “the smoke we live in, the burning chemicals we inhale, the strain we are putting on our bodies and the adrenal fatigue of being in a constant state of fight or flight – we are probably going to learn in the future that there are a lot more ailments linked to the job we do.”
