Trenton Fire Department Hosts Cancer Screenings
Trenton Fire Department Hosts Cancer Screenings
Select Board Enters Negotiations for Sale of Town-Owned Land
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Bank.
TRENTON—The leading cause of death for firefighters is cancer.
Firefighters in the United States have a 9% increase in the risk of getting cancer and a 14% greater risk of dying from cancer than the general population according to two large studies undertaken by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
These increased risks are caused by exposure to carcinogens that are contained within buildings, vehicles, and other things that commonly catch fire and are released in greater amounts due to the process of combustion. In addition to these risks, it is now known that firefighter’s turnout gear contain PFAS chemicals, which have been shown to increase cancer risks.
At the Trenton Select Board’s meeting on Tuesday, October 15, Trenton Fire Chief Steve Heckman gave an update to the board members about cancer screenings that had just wrapped up that day.
The Trenton Volunteer Fire Department hosted three days of cancer screenings for area firefighters. The screenings were open to all Hancock County firefighters and Heckman said that they initially had 45 slots available for testing and at last count, well over 30 firefighters had taken advantage of the opportunity.
The procedures, which were conducted at the Trenton fire station and were done by United Diagnostics, included scans of the following organs and body areas to look for signs of cancer or other ailments.
Heart (echocardiogram),
Carotid arteries,
Aortic aneurysm,
Thyroid,
Liver,
Spleen,
Kidneys,
Bladder,
Gallbladder,
Pelvic ultrasounds for women,
Testicular ultrasounds for men.
Of course, procedures like these are not free. Heckman said that the procedure costs at the event were “quite reasonable and most likely far less expensive than if one had these done at a local hospital.” Heckman could not say the exact cost due to having signed an NDA with United Diagnostics.
Even at the reduced rate, not every department had the financial capability to pay to have firefighters tested. The Trenton fire department was able to pay for their participating firefighters via the money that its members have raised through their pancake breakfasts and other fundraising events.
Firefighter recruitment, especially for volunteer-based departments, is more challenging than ever and Heckman feels that asking people to take time away from their personal lives and volunteer to do something that increases your risk of cancer does not lend itself to good recruitment.
“Imagine asking folks to join their local volunteer fire departments, help your neighbors and increase your chances of cancer?” Heckman said. “Although it might sound cynical it’s a sad reality!”
POTENTIAL LAND SALE
Ron Murphy spoke at the select board meeting and said that he would like to purchase a parcel of town-owned land in the Trenton industrial park on the corner of Industrial Way and Route 3. The land has frontage on Route 3 and is approximately 5.25 acres. Murphy told the select board that he would like to develop the land and put some buildings on it.
When the industrial park was first developed, Murphy purchased a number of lots and developed them for both resale and personal use.
According to Board Chair Fred Ehrlenbach, select board members have the authority to sell any remaining lots in the industrial park. Ehrlenbach said that the process would be that Murphy brings forth an offer and the select board will decide if they want to accept it or not.
There was a motion made to approve entering into negotiations for the sale of the lot to Murphy. If the motion is approved, Murphy would have the confidence to move forward with testing of the lot to see if it is buildable. The vote was unanimous.
Board member Dan Monahan asked about how much they may sell the lot for because the lots are only appraised at 85% and they may want to have it assessed so that the town can get a fair price.
Monahan also said that it would be fairer if the general public was aware that the town was going to sell the lot. Member Danielle Cole responded to Monahan that in this case, it doesn’t work that way because they just voted to enter into negotiations with Murphy.
Monahan said he feels “that the process is important.”
The next select board meeting will be October 29, 2024, at 7 p.m.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here.
If you’d like to sponsor the Bar Harbor Story, you can! Learn more here.