Firefighter Health & Cancer Prevention
Last Updated: September 11, 2025
Cancer now accounts for nearly two-thirds of firefighter line-of-duty deaths — a risk that extends long after the sirens fade. After 25 years with the Georgetown, Kentucky Fire Department, retired Chief Tim Thompson has made it his mission to change the way fire service approaches cancer prevention.
On this episode of The PQI Podcast, Chief Thompson shares how his department integrated advanced cancer screenings into firefighter health programs, gained city support to secure sustainable funding, and launched a nonprofit to cover screenings for retirees. He also reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped his career and why prevention must be built into the culture of service.
Now in retirement, he’s focused on helping departments nationwide establish lasting cancer screening programs that protect firefighters throughout their careers and beyond.
Listen for a conversation on leadership, prevention, and building programs that save lives.