November 7, 2019 Clayton, DE - The Clayton Fire Company hosted three cancer focus groups that were facilitated by the University of Miami. The University received a FEMA grant to conduct a study to learn more about volunteers and how cancer affects them, what is being done to help reduce the rate of cancers in all firefighters, and their general concern. The study will be used to gather data looking at volunteers and how they can be best served when it comes to cancer. This is a full study looking at needs, concerns, issues, and other items affecting them. The next phase will be medical monitoring of volunteers.

Three focus groups were held over two days and not only members of Clayton were involved the Ellendale Fire Company, Millsboro Fire Company, Christiana, Fire Company, and the Fairfax County Fire Department were represented. Clayton Fire Chief and President of the Kent County Fire Chief’s Association Alex Carrow of Clayton stated” Cancer is now one of our greatest worries in the fire service and this study will go a long way in gathering data and facts to assist us in developing a solution to the issue of cancer.

Clayton is also collaborating with Bayhealth Kent Campus to develop a long-term plan for the members and will be working with the University of Miami to assist them. Pat Chief and current President of Clayton Kevin Wilson stated” when I joined the fire company in 1974 we had very little protection and we did things that today would be looked upon as just plain wrong, we have come a long way and have a long way to go”