Firefighters and Occupational Diseases

The devastating fires in Los Angeles and the incredible bravery of the firefighters have captured the attention of the world.

These fires feel close to home during the Australian summer and fire season. They are a timely reminder that firefighters play a crucial role in protecting our communities – and the risks they face at work.

Diseases and injuries faced by firefighters

Firefighters work tirelessly to keep people and their homes, safe, often putting their lives on the line without giving it a second thought. However, these everyday heroes face great risks beyond the immediate danger of the burning flames.

Whether responding to fires, engaging in preventative work, or doing clean-up and restoration, firefighters face risk of injury from vehicle accidents, structural failures, or hazards like falling trees or branches. These injuries can affect their ability to work. Firefighters who experience this kind of workplace injury may be eligible for compensation.

Firefighters are often at an increased risk of developing occupational diseases, like cancers and other respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Spending long periods outdoors, exposed to sunlight, smoke, and chemicals in the form of gases and dusts, mean that firefighters experience a significantly elevated disease risk.

The risk of lung disease from smoke, fumes and dust

Firefighters are exposed to many substances that can cause lung disease.

These can include:

• smoke
• chemicals at industrial or factory fires
• asbestos and silica
• fumes from chemicals like diesel and petrol

These exposures can lead to a range of lung conditions, including:

• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Prolonged exposure to smoke and toxic fumes can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs, leading to COPD or emphysema.
• Interstitial lung disease: This group of diseases involves scarring of lung tissue, which can result from inhaling harmful particles and chemicals.

Elevated risk of cancer among firefighters

Firefighters are often exposed to carcinogens in the course of their work.

Inhalation of carcinogenic substances, such as asbestos and diesel exhaust, particularly increases the risk of cancer.

Firefighters have higher rates of many cancers, including:

• mesothelioma
• lung cancer
• prostate cancer
• leukemia
• non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• skin cancer.

If you've been diagnosed with a disease as a result of exposure at work, or have a pre-existing disease that was made worse, you could be eligible for compensation.

Harold’s story

Firefighting was a calling for Harold, a 53-year-old former long-serving volunteer firefighter. He has an unwavering commitment to his community and dedicated much of his personal time to protecting others.

Unfortunately, being on the frontline meant Harold was at risk of exposure to hazardous substances.

Around 2019, he was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis as a consequence of inhaling fungal spores from the yeast-like fungus, Cryptococcus. This fungus is commonly found in pigeon droppings, soil and eucalyptus trees and was present while Harold was fighting a fire at Longford, Victoria.

Harold suffered from debilitating consequences from his condition of cryptococcal meningitis which affects the brain, lungs and spinal cord. He went through an arduous treatment regime involving antifungal medication, and continues to suffer from headaches, aches and pain, in addition to respiratory symptoms caused by lung damage, which can make some days particularly challenging.

Harold’s experience and battle for his health has led him to advocate for better standards and safety measures for firefighters.

His legacy is not just one of firefighting but of his relentless pursuit for better standards for those who follow in his footsteps.  

Preventative measures

Addressing the occupational health risks to firefighters requires a multifaceted approach including training, appropriate protective equipment, regular health monitoring and safety protocols.

Firefighters and former firefighters should get regular health check-ups to ensure early detection and treatment to prevent or slow disease progression.

It is important that you tell your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing and to ensure they know about the work that you do and the exposures that you have experienced.

Firefighters’ legal rights when affected by occupational diseases

Firefighters diagnosed with a medical condition related to their work can secure support through the available compensation schemes, including funding for proper medical treatment, financial support for loss of income and lump-sum compensation.

For this to be possible, it is crucial to identify a link between their condition and their exposures at the frontline.

In the event that you, or someone you know, is diagnosed with an occupational cancer or lung condition, contact Maurice Blackburn’s occupational disease team for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your potential legal entitlements.

We also recommend you register your exposure via our national asbestos, silica, chemicals, fumes and dusts register.