Eugene Fire Chief Warns of Cancer Risks From PFAS in Gear

Eugene-Springfield Fire Chief Links Rare Cancer Diagnosis to Gear Chemicals

Eugene-Springfield Fire Chief Mike Caven is confronting a reality that is increasingly familiar within the fire service: the gear meant to protect him may have contributed to his own health crisis. Following a 2025 health screening, Caven was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer known as myeloproliferative neoplasm. The condition, which affects roughly one to two people per million each year, prompted the chief to speak publicly about the hidden dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, commonly found in firefighting protective equipment.

As KVAL reported, Caven initially dismissed the early warning signs of his illness as the standard physical toll of a high-stress career. He noted that symptoms like persistent fatigue, headaches, and insomnia were easily mistaken for job-related exhaustion. It was only after a targeted health screening that the diagnosis was confirmed. Since Caven implemented specific firefighter physical exams for the Eugene-Springfield Fire Department in 2022, three other members of the department have also received blood cancer diagnoses through the program.

The Hidden Toxicity of Protective Gear

The danger, according to Caven, lies in the very materials designed to keep firefighters safe. PFAS are frequently used in turnout gear as water-repellent coatings and are often impregnated into the inner liners to prevent hazardous substances from soaking through during active fire suppression. While these chemicals serve a functional purpose in preventing thermal and liquid exposure, their long-term health consequences are becoming impossible to ignore.

“They really found that the chemicals that were impacting firefighters were coming from the water repellent. And then the materials that are used on the liner on the inside were impregnated with chemicals to help keep chemicals and things repelled and from soaking through while you’re in the fire,” Caven said.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health indicates that firefighters face a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population. This elevated risk is often attributed to the cumulative exposure to smoke, soot, and toxic chemicals encountered on the job. The addition of PFAS in gear adds a layer of chemical exposure that departments across the country are only now beginning to address.

Market Shifts and Departmental Responses

The Eugene-Springfield Fire Department is currently in the process of evaluating alternatives to their existing equipment as PFAS-free gear begins to appear on the commercial market. The transition is both a logistical and financial challenge for municipalities, which must balance the urgent need for safer materials against the high cost of outfitting entire crews with new, specialized protective suits. For smaller or budget-constrained departments, the path to removing these chemicals from the supply chain remains a significant hurdle.

Caven’s advocacy extends beyond his own department. He is currently leveraging his personal experience to raise awareness and research funding for blood cancers. On March 21, 2027, he plans to participate in the Blood Cancer United Firefighter Stair Climb in Seattle, where he and 13 members of the Eugene-Springfield Fire Department will climb 69 flights of stairs in full gear. As of Friday, November 6, 2026, Caven has raised $11,617 toward his $20,000 goal.

The chief credits his team for their support during his treatment, noting the sense of shared purpose that defines the department. By making his own diagnosis a matter of public record, Caven is highlighting the necessity of early screening programs, which he successfully introduced to his department four years ago. The shift toward identifying occupational health issues early is a vital, if difficult, step in managing the long-term health of first responders.