ELOY, AZ – April 3, 2025 – The Eloy Fire District has announced the completion of cancer prevention “clean rooms” at both of its fire stations, fulfilling one of their major strategic objectives.
“This is a massive step forward in the protection of Eloy Firefighters,” the Fire District stated in its announcement. The district specifically recognized Captain Jeremy Leary who made this initiative a priority, and Division Chief Rob Jarvis for his dedication to receiving grant funding to facilitate EFD initiatives.
Occupational cancer represents a major cause of illness and early death among firefighters, according to the Fire District. This health risk stems from toxic byproducts of smoke and chemicals at incidents, as well as prolonged exposure to vehicle exhaust present in truck bays.
The clean rooms are located away from truck bays to reduce exposure to vehicle exhaust. The Fire District noted that gear and equipment stored in vehicle areas creates significant health risks for firefighters. Both rooms contain specially designed gear washers (extractors) and gear dryers. Lighting systems are designed to automatically shut off to reduce equipment degradation. Wash stations are available in each location, and spare gear is available when needed.
The clean room concept expands on existing safety practices already implemented by the district. EFD personnel currently perform decontamination at fire scenes and upon returning from incidents. Additionally, gear is bagged and cleaned before contaminating truck cabs or cabinets.
In nearby Casa Grande, the Fire Department has taken similar measures to protect its firefighters from cancer risks. The Casa Grande Fire Department secured three specialized washing machines through a $124,772 grant from the Gila River Indian Community.
While the Eloy Fire District acknowledges “there is more work to do” in their cancer prevention efforts, this initiative represents significant progress in protecting firefighter health and safety.
