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Caribbean Firefighters Adopt Regional Measures to Combat Occupational Cancer
From our correspondent
Roseau, Dominica – October 23 2026 — The Caribbean Association of Firefighters (CAF) has agreed on 12 regional recommendations designed to strengthen cancer prevention and improve occupational safety among firefighters throughout the Caribbean. The measures were adopted at the conclusion of the association’s 12th executive meeting in Dominica on Wednesday afternoon, as regional representatives considered the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to hazardous substances encountered during firefighting operations.
CAF General Secretary Ance Lemessy announced the decision, explaining that the recommendations call for a coordinated regional prevention policy rather than leaving individual firefighters to manage exposure risks on their own. Among the proposed measures are improved post-fire decontamination procedures, the establishment of clean areas in fire stations, better maintenance and replacement of protective equipment, and mandatory minimum training in exposure control. The recommendations also emphasize consistent documentation of firefighters’ exposure to potentially harmful substances.
Additional proposals include occupational health assessments, regional cancer research and stronger collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and national occupational safety and health authorities. Lemessy said the meeting was particularly important because firefighters across the region face similar occupational hazards, making coordinated action essential. He stressed that the association intends to work with relevant regional and international partners to investigate the extent of cancer-related risks among Caribbean firefighters and develop evidence-based preventive measures.
The initiative follows the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s classification of occupational exposure associated with firefighting as carcinogenic to humans, placing it in Group 1. Lemessy argued that this classification reinforces the need for practical safeguards, greater awareness and institutional responsibility for protecting firefighters’ health. Through the adoption of the 12 recommendations, CAF hopes to encourage regional cooperation, improve workplace practices and reduce the long-term health consequences associated with firefighting across the Caribbean.
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