Hays Fire Department Earns National Recognition for Cancer Research Participation
Department achieves "Gold Helmet" status by enrolling majority of firefighters in national cancer registry study.
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays Fire Department has earned the prestigious "Gold Helmet Department" designation from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for successfully enrolling more than half of its active firefighters in the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. This recognition places Hays among a select group of departments contributing to the largest research effort ever undertaken to understand and reduce cancer risks among U.S. firefighters.
The achievement comes as firefighters face significantly higher cancer rates than the general population, with NIOSH studies showing a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses and 14% increase in cancer-related deaths among first responders. "The health and safety of our personnel is a priority that extends far beyond the emergency scene," said Fire Chief Ryan Hagans. "By participating in the National Firefighter Registry, our crew members are not only taking ownership of their own health but are also providing the data necessary to make this job safer for firefighters across the nation in the years to come." The registry data will help researchers develop improved decontamination protocols, safety equipment, and medical screening guidelines for firefighters nationwide.
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