Moving from strength to strength: Redline Gear Cleaning’s mission to reduce firefighter cancer risk

by Breaking NewsPPE

Michael Matros, President and Founder of Redline Gear Cleaning spotlights the critical impact of fast turnarounds and keeping gear clean

Michael Matros had a vision- to make clean gear accessible.

After founding Redline Gear Cleaning in 2019, the company have only gone from strength to strength.

In this interview with International Fire and Safety Journal (IFSJ) Assistant Editor Isabelle Crow, Matros discusses the challenges he has fought to overcome and why his mission was always personal.

As Matros puts it: “I knew I had the opportunity to create a change”.

A significant focus of Redline’s is meeting the NFPA 1851 standard, why is maintaining and exceeding these standards essential to your work?

The NFPA 1851 standard is basically our Bible.

In our world, that’s the regulatory agent that decides how gear should be cleaned and handled.

Therefore, we take not just achieving but exceeding the standard incredibly seriously.

We make sure we go above and beyond on every level, even if we are cleaning the gear in a truck and on a mobile platform.

We never use this as an excuse, in fact, it’s a benefit to the business.

What are the biggest challenges you see fire departments and safety teams facing today when it comes to gear maintenance and decontamination and how does Redline address these issues?

Logistics and time are by far the biggest issue.

For a firefighter to send his gear out for a couple of weeks or even months in the worst case, is similar to you not having a computer.

They are completely handicapped as a firefighter and can’t perform their job.

This means people often refuse to send their gear out for cleaning because they don’t have another set or simply just the time.

Firefighter often opt to just reuse dirty gear instead.

The detrimental impact of wearing dirty gear cannot be undermined, this is because of the direct link to an increased risk of cancer for firefighters.

Therefore, being able to handle the logistics of same-day cleaning is essential.


We want to continue to be in a position where we bring the resources to the station, whether that be by educating firefighters on proper gear cleaning or by bringing the cleaning to them.

Our goal has always been to come in and clean everything on-site and have it turned around in three hours.

With conversations only growing surrounding the link between a career fighting fires and occupational cancer, why is playing a role in preventing particulates and contaminants such a personal mission for the company?

Alongside being the Founder and President of Redline, I am still a career firefighter, with 22-years’ experience as a firefighter paramedic.

For me, this business has always been personal.

I launched Redline because I had a nonprofit that focused on cancer prevention in the fire service, I was constantly pushing clean gear from that perspective.

Unfortunately, I have been to too many funerals of people who have passed away from occupational cancer- it is an issue that we just needed to do better on.

It was when my Chief was telling me that the gear that had just been sent off would be several weeks until it returned that I realized the severity of the situation.

What was I going to do without my gear? This was when I began to realize that the logistics of cleaning gear and the reality were two different worlds.

I began asking why we didn’t just have a company come and clean the gear in-house, to which I was told that this did not exist.

In that moment, I knew I had the opportunity to create a change, by putting the cleaning unit into a truck.

It never crossed my mind that I would be in the laundry business, but the need within the fire service was undeniable.

Redline Gear Cleaning was launched in 2019 and we are now opening our 15th location as the fastest growing ISP in the fire service.

The goal for us has always been to remain focused on customer service and offer our clients a simple and easy process.

We are growing so quickly that it can be hard to keep track, at the moment, we are basically putting a new truck on the road about every three months.

Redline is now the official ISP of FDIC, so we work to clean every piece of gear at the show.

It is a fantastic opportunity for us.

 Last year, we had six trucks and this year we will have ten alongside 75 employees- our presence is only growing.


Redline provides rapid response cleaning and a Mobile Extraction Unit. What feedback have you received from departments about the impact of your ability to quickly turnaround clean gear?

Our impact has been critical to fire departments.

It has gotten to the point where a lot of departments have built us into their response cards, they are starting to look to us as much as they do their neighbors for mutual aid assignments.

We’ve even had customers tell us they will purchase anything we offer because it only builds upon their current experience; Redline is becoming their full PPE compliance department.

Rather than just a service, we offer a complete operational change to the department with renowned health and safety benefits.

This was originally published in the April 2026 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

The role of nutrition in reducing cancer risks for UK firefighters

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyPPEResearch

UK firefighters face cancer risk from workplace exposure

UK firefighters are at increased risk of developing several cancers, according to a review published by Cambridge University Press.

The review draws on UK-specific evidence and supports the 2022 decision by the World Health Organization to classify firefighting as carcinogenic to humans.

The authors highlight that the primary source of this risk is ongoing exposure to fire effluent contaminants, including benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and asbestos.

Although personal protective equipment and decontamination protocols are in place, the paper explains that some chemical residues remain in the body long after exposure and may accumulate over time.

Additional risk factors include shift work and disrupted sleep patterns, which contribute to hormonal changes, inflammation and impaired cellular repair.

Diet identified as a protective factor against cancer

The review states that while exposure reduction remains the focus of fire service health policies, nutritional strategies could provide additional protection.

Referencing UK government data, the authors cite that up to 80 percent of cancer cases may be preventable in principle through dietary and lifestyle changes.

The report highlights that fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, omega-3 oils and legumes have been linked to lower rates of cancers such as bladder, colon, thyroid and prostate in published research.

By contrast, red and processed meats, sugar, alcohol and excess body fat were all identified as risk factors associated with increased cancer incidence.

The authors also cite a large Italian study that found high adherence to national cancer prevention guidelines resulted in reduced cancer-related mortality.

Mediterranean diet proposed as a practical model

The report suggests that the Mediterranean diet is one of the most evidence-supported dietary approaches to lowering cancer risk.

It outlines the typical Mediterranean pattern as being high in plant-based foods, whole grains, fish and olive oil, with low consumption of red meat and processed items.

The authors explain that many of the food components within this diet have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in both human and animal studies.

Findings from the EPIC cohort, which studied over half a million people across Europe, showed that a two-point increase in Mediterranean diet adherence scores was linked with a 12 percent lower cancer incidence.

The review notes that while Mediterranean foods can be substituted with local equivalents in the UK, uptake remains low.

Low dietary adherence among UK firefighters

The authors point out that few UK firefighters follow Mediterranean or government-recommended dietary patterns.

Referencing national surveys, the review notes that less than a third of UK adults eat enough fruit and vegetables, and that sugar intake is typically double recommended levels.

Studies on firefighters in other countries, including the United States and Germany, show a consistent pattern of higher body mass index and poor nutritional habits among shift-based fire service staff.

The authors cite preliminary studies from the US indicating that fire service workers may also have disrupted gut microbiomes, which may influence inflammation and immune health.

Although UK-specific data on firefighter diets is lacking, the authors argue that similar trends are likely and require further research.

Food-based compounds show potential in laboratory research

The review discusses a number of food-derived compounds that have demonstrated protective effects against fire-related carcinogens in laboratory settings.

These include sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts, omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish, and catechins found in green tea.

While most of the cited research was based on in vitro or animal models, some early-stage human trials have shown promising results, including enhanced detoxification of pollutants.

The authors caution, however, that such findings are not yet sufficient to inform formal guidelines, as they require larger trials to confirm safety and efficacy.

They recommend focusing on whole-food dietary patterns rather than individual supplements, citing the lack of benefit seen in antioxidant supplement trials.

Shift schedules and workplace culture present barriers

The report highlights a number of cultural and occupational barriers that may make dietary change more difficult for UK firefighters.

These include irregular working hours, disrupted sleep and stress, which are known to drive unhealthy food choices and affect metabolism.

Communal eating habits and the traditional ‘messing’ system used in UK fire stations may further complicate attempts to change individual behaviour.

The review also notes that firefighters often lack access to nutritional education and may be unaware of the link between diet and cancer risk.

The authors argue that interventions must be group-based and culturally tailored in order to succeed.

Communal culture could enable dietary change

While communal eating can be a barrier to change, the review also identifies it as a potential enabler.

Research from the US and UK suggests that peer influence and shared food preparation can help normalise healthier eating patterns when paired with education.

Examples include team-based nutrition programmes, cooking demonstrations, educational materials and targeted online support tools for firefighters.

Several studies referenced in the review show that such interventions led to improved adherence to the Mediterranean diet and better health outcomes.

The authors recommend that UK fire services develop and implement similarly structured, culturally relevant initiatives.

Diet and cancer risk in UK firefighters: Summary

UK firefighters face increased cancer risk due to occupational exposure to carcinogens.

The World Health Organization has classified firefighting as a carcinogenic occupation.

Contaminants such as benzene, asbestos and PAHs remain in the body after exposure.

Firefighters also face risks from shift work, disrupted sleep and chronic inflammation.

The Mediterranean diet has been linked to lower cancer incidence and mortality.

UK dietary surveys show low adherence to recommended healthy eating patterns.

Laboratory studies show food-based compounds may support detoxification.

Most of these studies are early stage and require human trials to confirm effects.

Firefighters often face barriers to healthy eating, including stress and shift patterns.

Communal food culture may influence dietary behaviour in fire stations.

Targeted education and peer support may help promote sustainable dietary change.

The report calls for more firefighter-specific research and organisational support.

Newcastle leads in firefighter cancer monitoring initiative

by Featured NewsHealth and Safety

In a significant development for firefighter health and safety, Newcastle has become the forefront of a pioneering cancer monitoring project.

This initiative, which involves testing 100 firefighters in Tyne and Wear, is part of a national health monitoring research project led by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in collaboration with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

The need for regular health monitoring

Despite the increasing incidence and mortality rates of cancer and other diseases among firefighters, there is currently no regular health monitoring for firefighters in the UK.

This project aims to address this gap by providing valuable data on the health risks faced by firefighters.

Groundbreaking research in Newcastle

The project, which recommenced in Newcastle on 13th November, includes firefighters from across the North East.

The initial phase of this UK-wide research saw the participation of 15 firefighters in Newcastle in February.

The current phase is being led by Professor Anna Stec, a world expert in fire toxicity, and will continue until 15th November.

This research is groundbreaking, with over 1,000 UK firefighters having provided blood and urine samples for analysis.

These samples are being examined for biomarkers of cancers, other diseases, and toxic chemicals.

The goal is to detect these health issues at early stages and establish a link between occupational cancers and exposure to toxic fire chemicals.

Firefighter cancer: Alarming statistics

Recent studies have shown a startling 323% higher incidence of cancer among UK firefighters aged 35-39 compared to the general population of the same age group.

Additionally, firefighters face higher mortality rates from cancers, heart attacks, and strokes.

Call for action

Riccardo la Torre, FBU national officer, highlighted the UK’s lag in protecting firefighters from toxic contaminants and occupational cancers.

He urges the government and fire service employers to act swiftly to ensure early diagnosis and treatment for firefighters.

Wayne Anderson, FBU Tyne and Wear brigade secretary, expressed pride in the North East’s role in leading this vital research.

The project’s success so far underscores the need for regular health monitoring for every UK firefighter.

IFSJ Comment

The Newcastle firefighter cancer monitoring project marks a crucial step in understanding and mitigating the health risks faced by firefighters.

The initiative sheds light on the occupational hazards of firefighting and underscores the need for systemic change in health monitoring practices.

By providing early detection of cancers and other diseases, this research has the potential to save lives and improve the overall health of firefighters.

The collaboration between the Fire Brigades Union and the University of Central Lancashire represents a significant stride towards ensuring the well-being of those who risk their lives daily to protect others.

This project serves as a model for other regions and highlights the importance of proactive measures in occupational health.

New bill proposes early cancer detection funding for firefighters

by AmericasFeatured NewsHealth and Safety

Josh Gottheimer announces ground-breaking cancer detection bill

In the presence of members from the Professional Fire Fighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), at the Hackensack Fire Headquarters, Representative Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey has unveiled new federal legislation.

This legislation promises to make a difference by providing funding for fire fighters to undergo multi-cancer early detection tests, along with other preventative tests, free of charge.

In the announcement, Gottheimer highlighted the significance of the proposed legislation.

Endorsements for the early cancer detection bill

The Fire Fighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer Act (FIRE Cancer Act), has earned the endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the PFANJ, and a number of other fire service agencies.

The general president, Edward Kelly, showed strong support for the legislation: “This legislation is an important tool in our fight against cancer,” said Kelly. “If we can make sure fire fighters get tested early for multiple types of cancer, countless fire fighter lives will be saved.”

The silent killer: firefighters and cancer risk

Gottheimer addressed the often overlooked health risk fire fighters face: “What’s not talked about enough is the silent killer [cancer] fire fighters come home with after the fire. Early cancer detection saves lives, and the fire fighters need resources to access cancer testing,” he said.

He further pointed out, “If you are a fire fighter, you should be screened for cancer on a regular basis without having to worry about the cost.”

Echoes of New Jersey state legislation

It is important to note that similar legislation has already been implemented at the state level in New Jersey.

PFANJ President Steve McConlogue mentioned the crucial role the association played in the passage of the state legislation: “The PFANJ led the way lobbying for the passage of that state legislation and fully supports the FIRE Cancer Act.”

McConlogue also emphasised that “Multi-cancer early detection testing will continue to be a priority for the PFANJ, as the health and safety of our members is always paramount.”

Implications of the bill becoming law

Should this bill be signed into law, it will offer fire fighters access to comprehensive health evaluations, blood tests, and ultrasounds that could detect more than 50 types of cancer.

IFSJ Comment

This new legislation represents a critical step in recognising and addressing the health risks that fire fighters are exposed to.

Early detection of cancer can significantly improve survival rates, making this a crucial development for those in the fire service.

Historic firefighter cancer legislation approved in Canada

by AmericasFeatured NewsHealth and Safety

Parliament unanimously passes significant legislation for occupational cancer in firefighters

In a momentous move, Canada’s Parliament has unanimously passed historic legislation, Bill C-224, creating a national framework to address the occupational cancer faced by firefighters. The legislation was developed in association with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), a substantial victory for them and their Canadian affiliates.

Supporting cancer research and establishing Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month

The newly passed legislation proposes a range of measures intended to actively bolster research, education, cancer screenings, and knowledge dissemination. This support aims to enhance the scope of occupational cancer coverage at a provincial level and ensures fair compensation and assistance for firefighters diagnosed with the disease. Additionally, the law designates January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada.

Legislation receives unanimous support from all parties

Montréal-area Liberal MP Sherry Romanado introduced the bill in January 2022, which was supported unanimously throughout the legislative process by all parties. The IAFF collaborated with Romanado, helping the bill through multiple House of Commons and Senate votes as well as two sets of committee hearings.

Notable figures recognise the importance of the legislation

Edward Kelly, General President of the IAFF, celebrated the passage of the bill, describing it as a significant stride in combating cancer, the leading cause of firefighter fatalities in Canada and the United States. Kelly thanked MP Romanado for proposing the bill, Senator Hassan Yussuff for championing it in the Senate, and Conservative Senator David Wells for his early endorsement. Montréal Local 125 President Chris Ross was also acknowledged, whose friendship with Romanado influenced her decision to develop the legislation. Kelly was quoted saying: “This historic legislation is a critical step forward in our fight against cancer and the toll it has taken on our members.”

Firsthand experiences inspire action

Sherry Romanado, whose father and husband were firefighters, acknowledged the lengthy process to get her bill approved but expressed pride in contributing to the protection of those in the profession. She stated: “Like I said many times before, they are always there for us, and we had the obligation to also be there for them.”

Next steps and historical efforts

Following the enactment of the legislation, Health Canada officials have already scheduled meetings with the IAFF to commence work on the national framework. It is worth noting the previous significant achievement by the IAFF in 2018, when the Canadian Government, following a 25-year lobby by the IAFF, established the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders. This program provides a $300,000 payment to the families of firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty, including those who succumb to recognised occupational illnesses such as cancer.

Since the establishment of this benefit, the families of 278 Canadian IAFF members who have died in the line of duty have received a total of $83.4 million. In the past decade, 431 Canadian IAFF members have succumbed to recognised occupational cancers.

The full news release can be found on the IAFF’s official website.

Cancer testing initiative launched for London firefighters

by Featured NewsHealth and Safety

Fire Brigades Union and University of Central Lancashire launch health research project for firefighters

A pioneering health research project has commenced in London, spearheaded by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and conducted by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). The project aims to test hundreds of firefighters for early signs of cancer and other health-related issues. Despite firefighters being at increased risk of occupational cancer, they currently do not receive regular health monitoring in the UK.

Groundbreaking health checks and the urgent need for action

The health checks, which are set to run until June 24th, involve nearly 300 firefighters providing blood and urine samples for disease biomarker and toxic chemical analyses. Professor Anna Stec, a renowned expert in fire toxicity from UCLan, leads this initiative with the primary goal to detect early-stage diseases and establish a connection between occupational cancers and exposure to toxic fire chemicals.

Worrying rates of cancer among firefighters

This research follows alarming recent findings that the cancer incidence among UK firefighters aged 35-39 is up to 323% higher than in the general population of the same age. The World Health Organisation’s recent confirmation that occupational exposure as a firefighter is carcinogenic further underscores the urgency of this project. London’s initiative follows similar launches in Tyne and Wear and Greater Manchester, with the objective of testing a total of 1,000 firefighters across the UK.

Firefighters’ voices: A call for urgent attention and action

The FBU National Officer, Riccardo la Torre, conveyed the need for action stating that “firefighters are taking action to address the serious health risks they face at work” and emphasised the necessity for “UK-wide regular health monitoring to catch occupational diseases early and save firefighters’ lives.”

Gareth Beeton, FBU London Chair, echoed this sentiment and asserted that the research project will “undoubtedly save firefighters’ lives,” calling for employers to take the issue more seriously.

Highlighting the implications of the study, Professor Anna Stec from UCLan noted that “firefighters are dying from rare cancers up to 15-20 years earlier than the general public” and that “measures such as health monitoring will go a long way to ensuring that firefighters can be properly protected.”

In support of the initiative, London Fire Commissioner, Andy Roe, stated the necessity of making firefighters “as safe as possible at work” and acknowledged the importance of ongoing research to better understand the impacts of contaminant exposure throughout their careers.

Firefighter cancer legislation reaches milestone in Canadian House of Commons

by Featured News

Legislation that proposes a national framework to address occupational cancer in fire fighters reached an important milestone in the Canadian House of Commons after it passed a Third Reading with a unanimous vote and overwhelming support from all parties on 8 March.

Introduced by Montreal-area Liberal MP Sherry Romanado in early 2022, Bill C-224, the act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting, proposes measures designed to reduce the incidence of job-related cancer among fire fighters and promotes equitable compensation for those who contract the disease, regardless of the province or territory in which they serve.

After the vote, which took place with dozens of IAFF fire fighters watching from the Commons Gallery, Bill C-224 will now be passed on to Canada’s Senate to be further studied.

The IAFF has already begun working with MP Romanado to elicit support among senators to ensure the bill advances in the legislative process. Once debated and passed by both chambers of Parliament, the bill will move forward to receive Royal Assent before becoming law.

Bill C-224 proposes a range of measures to not only explain the link between cancer and firefighting, but also to identify educational needs of healthcare and other professionals for prevention and treatment; promote regular cancer screening for fire fighters; and provide research, data collection, and the sharing of information and knowledge about cancer and its effects on fire fighters. The bill also proposes proclaiming January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada.

General President Edward Kelly said: “This is what the mission of the IAFF looks like when we use our political strength to fight for the health and safety of our members. Cancer is killing fire fighters, and ending this epidemic must be everyone’s priority. Bill C-224 is an important step in saving lives.”

General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma commented: “Addressing occupational cancer is a top priority of the IAFF. Bill C-224 provides our Canadian sisters and brothers important protections in the fight against cancer and is another example of how our union is working for our members and their families.”

“The IAFF is grateful to MP Romanado for introducing this critical legislation and to all the MPs who supported it,” Kelly added. “We now hope for swift deliberation and passage in the Senate so it can benefit our 26,000 Canadian members and their families. Time is of the essence.”