MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Last month, President Trump signed legislation for the CDC to start a firefighter cancer registry. The goal is to better understand why firefighters are at a greater risk of developing cancer.

A local group is working to educate departments and develop policy changes.

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network is a nationwide effort that started in 2005, but three local firefighters started the first chapter in South Carolina last month, and all of them know someone who’s had firefighter related cancer.

“My captain who was Battalion Chief, Josh Carney, was diagnosed with cancer, job related and passed away last year. That was a very tough thing to go through. I was close with him,” said local firefighter James McGloin.

“When I first started, I had no idea cancer could be an issue down the road,” said firefighter Brad Kavetski.

Studies show firefighters are twice as likely to develop cancer, and more aggressive types of cancer. They’re also diagnosed at an earlier age.

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network helps those patients organize their medical bills, forms, and doctors appointments. They also set them up with a mentor who is also a firefighter and had the same kind of cancer.

“For a couple of days you’d have black stuff coming out of your nose and that was just normal. Have a culture change and that’s the hardest thing, getting all the firemen to know what the issue is and how to address it,” said Nathan Marker, firefighter with North Myrtle Beach Fire Department.

Studies show carcinogens enter into firefighters bodies through their lungs and skin, and house fires are more like hazmat events because of the plastics and synthetics in homes today.

“The levels that were considered safe the research is now finding that for hydrogen cyanide specifically its not safe and needs to be zero,” said McGloin.

The group is working to educate fire departments on ways they can reduce the risk of cancer by limiting diesel exhaust and decontaminating and washing gear after a fire. They also said firefighters should wear breathing devices even after a fire is out.

The group already helped two local firefighters with cancer in just the past few weeks and hopes to expand the group across the state. 

For information on the nationwide support network click here.

For the local group’s Facebook page click here.