Though the year is one-quarter over, the "Safety 24/7/365" calendar from the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System remains valuable, as each month draws attention to a different firefighter health or safety topic.

April discusses Near-Miss Report 06-255, which describes a firefighter who is diagnosed with colon cancer after an annual physical exam. Firefighters are twice as likely to contract one of 20 different kinds of cancer compared with the general population. The near-miss report and the 30-day reminder aim to spur other firefighters to go for early screenings.

Firefighters can take actions to reduce their risk. In addition to cancer screenings, they should keep their protective ensembles — especially gloves and hoods — clean. Firefighters also should store the protective hood somewhere other than between the boots of a folded down set of PPE pants, use SCBA for longer periods during firefighting and overhaul, change into a clean uniform after a run, and consider an extra shower to wash off contaminates.

For more information about firefighter cancer risk, visit the Firefighter Cancer Support Network Web site.

The 2009 Near-Miss Calendar contains 11 other hot topics submitted by some of the fire services' most recognized speakers. The topics range from Interior Fire Attack to Roadway Safety. Each month's topic is supported by a fully developed presentation and drill. Download the Safety 24/7/365 calendar as a PDF.