New Harrisburg fire station includes feature to address health concerns for firefighters

HARRISBURG, N.C. — For years, Channel 9 has investigated the increased cancer risk for firefighters. Many believe chemicals that cause cancer can get on their uniforms during a fire and stay there.

That risk was paramount for the Harrisburg Fire Department when it built its newest fire station on Rocky River Road.

[ALSO READ: CFD makes changes to cut cancer risks for firefighters]

It has a special room for firefighters to store their gear, complete with a separate ventilation system. That means the rest of the fire station isn't breathing in the chemicals lingering in the gear.

[9 INVESTIGATES: Push to reduce cancer risk for firefighters]

"We're being very aggressive with our training to our firefighters about cancer awareness,” Chief Bryan Dunn, with the Harrisburg Fire Department, said. “We want to be very proactive in what we do to protect our firefighters as well, 'cause they're our greatest asset, our community's greatest asset.”

A North Carolina bill would make cancer an on-the-job injury for firefighters. That means they would get the health care benefits they need to fight cancer. This is something that's already in place in most other states.

Cox Media Group