By Treven Pyles on October 23rd, 2025 in PFAS/AFFF
In smaller towns and rural communities, firefighter paramedics are the first line of defense. Firefighter paramedics often have at least two years of experience in firefighting already, which means they have likely been exposed to toxic chemicals in firefighting foam.
Serving as a firefighter in small towns or rural areas often means you need to wear multiple hats. Most of these fire departments are volunteer-based and highly involved in the community. On some days, you may be helping people who need transportation to hospitals, and on other days, you may be dealing with flammable liquid from illegal drug laboratories. Some days, you only need to attend community events and drive around town, but you may also be dealing with fires for long hours due to the inaccessibility of water. Because of this, firefighters require a variety of skills and certifications, like an EMT certification or, in some cases, a paramedic license to become a Firefighter-Paramedic.
The life of a firefighter is already demanding, but serving in small towns, suburban, or rural settings comes with unique challenges. Staffing shortage is one of the most common problems in small fire departments, which means that the few firefighters available may have to cover more ground and handle more duties. This makes volunteer firefighters in any role, even Firefighter-Paramedics, have high chances of encountering aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). If you served at least two years as a firefighter, your condition may have been connected to your exposure to AFFF through the following:
AFFF contains synthetic chemicals that make it resistant to fire and uniquely stable. These fluorine-based chemicals are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and they have been widely associated with adverse health effects and an increased risk of certain cancer types. In a 2020 study, researchers examined PFAS levels in the blood serum of airport and suburban firefighters. They found that firefighters had higher PFHxS (a type of PFAS) levels than the non-firefighters.
Studies about volunteer firefighters are rare in published literature, despite the fact that over two-thirds of the firefighter population in the U.S. are volunteers. A biomonitoring study found that PFDoA (another type of PFAS) was detected in 80% of suburban volunteer firefighters but not in the general population. Additionally, other PFAS types were detected at higher levels in the blood serum of volunteer firefighters, suggesting they may face different exposure risks due to their unique encounters with PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam.
Serving at a smaller fire department or a volunteer fire department does NOT disqualify you from filing AFFF claims. As long as you have a documented history of exposure to AFFF and at least two years in firefighting service, you may qualify for any of the conditions associated with the firefighting foam. When you file an AFFF claim for an associated cancer type, you may get monetary compensation to recover damages you suffered from treatment expenses, medication, loss of income, and other damages. ELG Law attorneys can evaluate your case and discuss your options with you. The following types of cancer have been strongly associated with toxic PFAS chemicals in AFFF:
In fire departments of smaller or rural communities, firefighters may face unique challenges, but they also encounter common hazards, such as exposure to high volumes of AFFF. With a smaller number of firefighters available, you have a higher chance of encountering this Class B foam.
If you believe your case is eligible, our attorneys here at ELG Law can provide a free evaluation. They only need to check your employment records (showing at least two years of experience and documented AFFF exposure) and your medical records (showing your cancer diagnosis). Click the button below to get your free evaluation.