ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Firefighters run into burning buildings every day. It's the risk they agree to take. Orange County they just got a $1.1 million federal grant to improve safety for those firefighters.
9 Investigates learned the money will help protect firefighters from cancer, a hidden risk they may not discover for years.
"We have someone right now who's fighting pancreatic cancer," Orange County Fire Chief Otto Drozd said.
Three years ago Orange County firefighter Lt. Christopher Rubio, 32, was diagnosed and treated for testicular cancer.
"I was scared. I was by myself. My wife was at home with kids. I have two toddlers," Rubio said.
A study released in February by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined more than 19,000 firefighters in Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
READ: CDC Firefighters/Cancer Study
Researchers said they cannot prove a relationship between firefighting and cancer. However, the study shows firefighters experience higher rates of certain types of cancer, and mortality rates for some cancers are modestly increasing among firefighters.
The common thread among those tested is long-term exposure to diesel exhaust, smoke from fire scenes and even the protective suits and hoods designed to protect firefighters from heat, but easily absorb chemical toxins that can cause cancer.
"The longer the clothes stay on you, the greater the risk of absorption," Drozd said.
The $1.1 million federal grant to the county will pay for new diesel exhaust capture systems, designed to funnel emissions directly from fire vehicles and out of the firehouses. It's another step toward providing better protection.
"Our firefighters are at greater risk today than at any time in the history of our service," Drozd said.
Drozd said the department has implemented new mandatory personal protection procedures during and after fires.
A better solution, some told investigative reporter Daralene Jones, would be a spare set of gear, but that costs money.
Last year, 24-year-old firefighter Carl Andriano died from cancer. The department just honored him with a fitness challenge which they used to raise money for another firefighter now battling pancreatic cancer.
"If the littlest thing can save a life, why not do it?" Rubio said.
Florida is one of few states without a presumptive law in place. There are typically strict guidelines, but it allows firefighters to file a workman's compensation claim if they are diagnosed with cancer.