Picture a day in the life of a firefighter, and you may think of a crew hustling down the street, siren blaring. At the scene of a call, the work can be dangerous, physically demanding and dirty. But in some places, the hazards don’t end there.
Back at the station, where equipment is maintained, meals are prepared and personnel catch what sleep they can, too often the workplace isn’t safe or clean. In a report released in 2020, the National Fire Protection Association said more than 20,000 U.S. fire stations were at least 40 years old and that nearly half needed to be renovated or replaced.
Since the news broke in mid-February about Wichita Fire Station 15’s closure due to mold, firefighters have faced many medical issues, including serious sinus problems, with some requiring surgery…