Retired firefighter’s death underscores job’s hazards
Bobby Hetzer Jr.’s cancer work-related from smoke, fumes.
The death of a retired Dayton firefighter last month from pancreatic cancer highlights concerns that firefighting work is even more dangerous than many people realize.
Robert “Bobby” Hetzer Jr., 56, who worked for the fire department for about 29 years, died on Oct. 26.
Hetzer’s death underscores the sad reality that firefighters have higher risks of cancer than the general public because of repeated exposure to hazardous smoke and fumes, fire and union officials say.
Hetzer’s cancer was deemed to be an occupational-related illness by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, said Dayton fire Chief Jeffrey Payne. The fire
department has tried to be proactive to reduce its workers’ risks of exposure to hazardous and cancer-causing toxins, Payne said.
“The job is ultimately what killed him,” said Jim Burneka Jr., trustee with the Dayton Firefighters Local 136. “The saying is, ‘He died with his boots off.’ ”
Hetzer’s Line-of-Duty Death service was held Friday at the Tobias Funeral Home-Beavercreek Chapel at 3970 Dayton Xenia Road in Dayton. The graveside service was at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens in Tipp City.
Over 29 years of service, Hetzer routinely was exposed to carcinogens that led to pancreatic cancer, which he was diagnosed with earlier this year, Burneka said.
Hetzer joined the Dayton Fire Department in September 1984. He retired in June 2013.
Hetzer was a big, warm, funny, fun guy who was regularly the life of the party, Burneka said.
“We considered him a legend,” he said. “He was everybody’s friend.”
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati in 2006 found evidence that firefighters are significantly more likely to develop multiple kinds of cancer. Their findings suggested firefighters’ protective equipment was not effective against cancer-causing agents they encounter in the line of the duty.
Firefighters have a 9 percent greater likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer than the general population, and they have a 14 percent greater likelihood of dying when they contract cancer, according to a comprehensive, multiyear study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Last year, Ohio passed a firefighter “cancer presumption law” that recognizes cancer as a work-related illness for fire safety forces.
Firefighters today are much more diligent about cleaning up and showering after being exposed to smoke and fire, Payne said. They have access to wipes to clean their exposed skin after responding to the scene of a fire, he said, adding that is important because carcinogens can be absorbed through the skin.
Every Dayton firefighter now has two sets of personal protective equipment so they can change into clean gear after getting dirty, he said.
“It used to be a point of pride to have dirty gear, dirty helmets, but we’re cleaning those things because we’ve found out they’re dangerous,” Payne said.
Firefighters today also wear oxygen masks during clean-ups after fires because those have been identified as very hazardous environments. Payne says it’s a tragedy that Hetzer’s life was cut so short. He and Hetzer used to sit around the fire house talking about all the things they wanted to do after retiring.
Hetzer was dependable, loyal, super-friendly, a hard worker and was one of the biggest Cincinnati Bengals fans around, Payne said.
Hetzer’s death is the latest tragedy felt by the Dayton Fire Department. In March 2014, 56-year-old Rickie Halcomb died of medical issues related to hepatitis C.
He contracted the infection after responding to an auto crash. Halcomb, who retired in 2002, was exposed to contaminated blood at the scene while helping a patient.
Dayton fire Lt. Kevin Quinn, a dispatch supervisor, died on the job in 2010. Quinn, 52, was found deceased after lying down to take a break on a cot provided for staff who work long days at the dispatch center.