Lincoln Fire and Rescue takes simple steps to reduce firefighter cancer risk

Firefighters are 9% more likely than the average person to get cancer, and nearly 13% more likely to die from that cancer. But Lincoln Fire & Rescue is taking some simple steps to protect the men and women who protect us.

Each fire engine and firetruck will now have what the department calls a "Decontamination Bucket."

"In those buckets, we simply have a brush, some soap, and some bags that we can bag our gear in once we're done with that incident," said Fire Captain Dan Ripley.

And while those items seem simple, Ripley said they make a huge difference.

"It's amazing through research what we've found, the amount of contaminants we can remove by simply doing that before we go off air," Ripley said. "In fact, I think it's 85% of contaminants we can remove just by using a little dish soap."

But Ripley said its about more than just adding cleaning supplies. It's about changing firefighters' mindsets.

"The days of having dirty gear, a dirty helmet or having something melted have really gone by the wayside," Ripley said. "We want our firefighters to be clean, non-contaminated and healthy. That gear that used to once be a badge of honor, it's now, the cleaner your gear is the smarter you are and the better we'll be in the end."

In addition to cleaning gear, firefighters have a second set of gear they change in to when they get back to the station. Ripley said the goal is to minimize the time firefighters are exposed to anything that may have a carcinogen on it.