Volunteer firefighters face unique health risks that the Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative is working to better understand.
At the 2025 American College of Epidemiology (ACE) annual meeting in Pasadena, California, University of Miami public health students presented new findings on cancer prevention and occupational safety in the fire service.
Their research, part of ongoing studies within the Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative, highlighted disparities in training and exposure monitoring among volunteer firefighters, who make up the majority of the U.S. fire service but often operate with fewer resources than career departments.
Madeleine Sayre, research support specialist, earned third place in the Best Poster Presentation Award category for her study, Predictors of Preliminary Exposure-Reduction Training Among Volunteer Firefighters.
In collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council, Sayre and her team analyzed pre- and post-survey data from volunteer firefighters across 16 states. The study found that Hispanic/Latino firefighters were significantly less likely to receive decontamination training compared to their non-Hispanic/non-Latino counterparts.
The study found that Hispanic/Latino volunteer firefighters were significantly less likely to receive decontamination training compared to their non-Hispanic/non-Latino counterparts.
“Studying predictors of preliminary exposure-reduction training is crucial because it reveals gaps in training and support within the volunteer firefighter workforce,” Sayre said. “By identifying which groups are being left out, our work can inform resource allocation and policy decisions that make sure volunteer departments receive the training and support they need. Ultimately, this contributes to safer work environments and better health outcomes.”
Ph.D. student Hao Fu presented her poster, Carcinogenic Exposure Assessment Among Volunteer Firefighters, which examined carcinogenic exposures using silicone wristbands as passive monitoring tools.
Ninety-seven volunteer firefighters across multiple states wore the wristbands during duty shifts between January and March 2025. Laboratory analysis revealed that those who responded to fire incidents had significantly higher exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), demonstrating the potential of silicone wristbands as scalable tools for long-term exposure surveillance.
“This work shows that practical tools like silicone wristbands can capture occupational exposures and support future cancer prevention strategies for volunteer firefighters,” said Fu. “It was rewarding to share this research with a national audience at ACE and to highlight the occupational health challenges of a group often underrepresented in research.”
Both Sayre and Fu credited the mentorship of Alberto Caban-Martinez, Ph.D., D.O., M.P.H., deputy director of the Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative and professor of public health sciences and associate vice provost for research regulation, integrity, security and evaluation at the Miller School.
With his guidance, they refined study designs, interpreted results, and communicated findings to broader audiences. Their projects build on the mission of the Firefighter Cancer Initiative, which partners with fire departments, policymakers, and researchers to address the heightened cancer risks faced by firefighters through prevention, training, and evidence-based interventions.
The experience added momentum to ongoing efforts to improve occupational health for volunteer firefighters.
Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published on September 29, 2025.
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