NaHoods For Heroes (HFH) is continuing its mission to provide chemical blocking hoods to firefighters across the country by working with local businesses to raise funds for Nassau County. These hoods are specifically designed to reduce exposure to deadly cancer causing chemicals that firefighters are exposed to daily.
Cancer in fire service is at epidemic levels. With a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population, it is easy to understand the increased risk Firefighters face on the job. A Firefighter’s risk for specific types of cancer is significantly higher. The National Institute of Science and Health (NIOSH) reports that Firefighters are 2.02 times higher risk for testicular cancer and 1.53 times at greater risk for multiple myeloma. It is reported that as many as one in three Firefighters will be diagnosed with cancer during their careers with current statistics indicating more than 60% of line of duty deaths are due to cancer. This effort will bring awareness and support to those who risk their lives daily to protect others.
“We are excited to work with Nassau County to support their local heroes,” Co-Founder Bill Hamilton said. “Partnering with the community to help protect firefighters from constant exposure to dangerous chemicals is our number one priority.”
“Healthy firefighters support a healthy community,” added CEO Jeff Rountree.
Nassau County is comprised of 123 Firefighter and EMS professionals across 7 stations. The men and women of Nassau County Professional Firefighters are dual certified as Firefighters as well as Paramedics or Emergency Medical Technicians.
“Nassau County Fire Rescue is grateful for the work Hoods for Heroes is doing to help protect members of the fire service from acquiring cancer. If the use of these newer style hoods prevents even one person from receiving a cancer diagnosis, it will have been worth their efforts. Coupled with other endeavors such as gross decontamination, skin wipes, and encouraging showers as soon as possible after the fire, the new hoods will be one more way for us to hopefully eliminate cancer among fire service members,” said Brady Rigdon, MPA, Fire Chief for Nassau County Fire Rescue.
About Hoods For Heroes
Hoods For Heroes is a national non-profit with a passion for protecting our first responders. They were founded with the mission of providing life-saving equipment to the men and women of the fire service. Partnered with more 50 private and fire service related companies, HFH provides support, awareness and equipment to reduce the rate of cancer throughout the fire service. www.HoodsForHeroes.org @Hoodsforheroes
About Nassau County Fire Service
Nassau County Fire Rescue (NCFR) provides professional fire and emergency medical services to the citizens of Nassau County, Florida 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NCFR is located in one of the 33 rural counties out of the 67 counties in the State of Florida, and serves an increasingly diverse and growing population. “To professionally serve our community, with pride, integrity, and compassion, while striving to exceed the expectations of our customers”, is the mission statement of Nassau County Fire Rescue.
