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GEORGETOWN, Ky. (WKYT) – Georgetown Fire Department leaders have established a new nonprofit foundation called the Georgetown Fire Department Cancer Foundation.
The foundation aims to help Georgetown former firefighters and retirees get cancer screenings.
“We want to honor the people who built this department because we’re just building on what they built,” said Georgetown Fire Chief Tim Thompson. said this:
Chief Thompson said one of the retirees, Norman Lytle, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away.
He said Lytle was a mentor to him when he started and helped him in so many ways.
“We work together in 24-hour shifts. We see things that most people never see, and I don’t want anyone to see. We do it together. We’ll get through it. We laugh together, we cry together, and it’s not a bond that leaves you when you leave,” Thompson said.
According to the CDC, studies show that firefighters are at increased risk for many types of cancer, and cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters.
Over the years, Thompson said they have changed some of their practices to make their gear and equipment safer.
“It used to be cool to wear dirty gear and a dirty helmet because it showed you were like this ‘cool’ firefighter. But now I know you’re carrying around something like that. Carcinogens remain in your helmet and gear, and you’re just breathing them in all the time. ” He said.
The Georgetown Fire Department is the first in the state to offer cancer screenings to its members.
This is an expensive undertaking, and discounted screenings still cost about $650.
They hope these numbers can change in the future.
As a non-profit organization, they accept donations to help with these costs. You can help by donating to Venmo @GFDCF.
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