Firemen/Fire Control Technicians

Exposed to Asbestos at their workplace

The responsibilities of military firemen were performing firefighting operations during all types of fire, such as structural, vehicle or aircraft. They would have to ensure the safety of both properties and people in the event of a fire. However, in addition to being required to extinguish fires which would release asbestos fibers in the air, their protective equipment would also contain the dangerous material, therefore exposing military firemen to a double risk. Additionally, military firemen would drive firefighting vehicles, which were also laden with asbestos insulation.

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Firemen are present in all branches of the military, as a fire may take place anywhere, be it on ships, aircraft, bases or vehicles. Before 1980, however, when the use of asbestos in the military was abundant, firemen would be a much dangerous rating, as the people who were serving as firemen were interacting with asbestos products regularly. While asbestos is resistant to fire, the products containing it could still catch fire and firemen would have to be in the proximity of the disaster to extinguish it and ensure the safety of the other military personnel.

What was also worrisome is that their protective equipment was lined with asbestos to protect firemen from extreme heat. The more a fireman would use his protective equipment, the more chances of asbestos fibers being released in the air there were, as asbestos fibers could easily detach from it with extensive use. Consequently, the danger was twofold for military firemen, which now places them among the military occupations with the highest risk of developing a terrible disease.

A military rating which is very similar to that of fireman is fire controlman. As one of the most challenging ratings of the navy, fire controlman was established in 1941, after it ceased being part of the gunner’s mate rating. The responsibilities of fire controlmen include performing maintenance on digital computer equipment, subsystems, and systems, as well as operating combat and weapons direction systems. Nevertheless, during the last century, they would also work on equipment that contained asbestos components, such as wire insulation and cable wrap which, in addition to being constantly surrounded by plenty of other asbestos products on the ships, highly increase their risk of developing a life-threatening disease.

The rating of aviation fire control technician also has numerous duties in common with firemen. It was created in 1945 as part of the aviation fire controlman rating. However, it was disestablished in 1991, when it was included in the aviation electronics technician rating. Nowadays, people who worked as aviation fire control technicians are at high risk of developing terrible diseases such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, since they were heavily exposed to asbestos on the job.

Relevant Job Titles

fire controlman
explosive ordinance disposal
fire inspector
aviation fire control technician
fire controlman
fire control technician submarine

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We also represent the close relatives of firemen/fire control technicians that handled asbestos and are now sick or have passed away.

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Diseases Contracted after Asbestos Exposure in Firemen

As one of the military occupations with the highest risk of asbestos exposure, firemen are today susceptible to receiving a life-threatening diagnosis, as exposure to asbestos can cause a disease to develop within 20 to 50 years following their initial contact with the carcinogenic mineral. Unfortunately, symptoms usually show up only after the disease has become quite advanced, which increases the number of deaths. Nevertheless, if you notice symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, fatigue or shortness of breath, please seek medical attention from a specialist immediately. The following are some of the most serious diseases military firemen are prone to.

Mesothelioma

Lung cancer

Asbestosis

Lung Nodules

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Laryngeal Cancer

Pleusisy

Esophageal Cancer

Asthma

How Can We Help Firemen Who Were Exposed to Asbestos?

If your duties in the military were those of a fireman and you have recently been assigned a diagnosis such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, please contact our attorneys as soon as possible. The earlier you take legal action, the more chances of recovering financial compensation for the physical and emotional distress you have. After you give us access to your military and medical records, our legal experts will promptly take over and file a claim on your behalf. We will take care of every necessary document for you so that you will be able to focus on your health. Our attorneys will file a claim with the asbestos trust funds of the companies responsible for your exposure and with the VA. The compensation we will eventually obtain for you will help you cover your medical expenses, among other health-related aspects.

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