Firefighters carry man from smoke as crashes and cancer risks mount

Recent reports highlight the risks firefighters face and efforts to support their safety and well-being. In South Korea, a firefighter carried a man with limited mobility down smoke-filled stairs during a Uijeongbu apartment fire, and the rescued resident later visited the station to thank him. In Indonesia, two helicopter crashes during wildfire water-bombing missions killed four crew members, while officials said at least 15 firefighters, volunteers and military personnel had died fighting fires in recent months. Other efforts focus on longer-term health: Anchorage and Colorado departments use decontamination practices and medical screening to address firefighters’ elevated cancer risks, while a Sullivan County program recognizes departments’ work on physical and mental wellness. South Korean group IVE also received a National Fire Agency citation for supporting firefighters and wildfire-affected communities.