Florida State University has been named co-recipient of a $1.5 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to study cancer risks among women firefighters.
The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship will use the money to study the link between the proper fit of protective equipment and occupational cancer risk for women firefighters.
The research is coined as the first of its kind and will be led at FSU by Professor Meredith McQuerry in partnership with researchers at the University of Arizona, also a recipient of the grant.
Occupational Cancer is the leading cause of death for long term, line of duty fire service workers according to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
McQuerry says she hopes the research conducted at FSU and the University of Arizona will inform standard sizing improvements for increased firefighter health and safety.
