Deputy chief and union urge commission to back annual firefighter cancer screening

In closing remarks at the June 28 Fire Commission meeting, Chief Tom O'Connor urged commissioners to champion annual cancer screening for firefighters and to pass a resolution requesting funding.

O'Connor said that during recent contract negotiations he requested $25,000 to fund yearly cancer screening for the command staff and that the mediator indicated the request was rejected as "budgetary dust." He said this was unacceptable given the resources devoted to other city programs and noted the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation’s national role in research and advocacy. O'Connor also disclosed he had been diagnosed with a second cancer and urged the commission to advocate for systematic, city‑funded screening rather than reliance on charitable foundations.

During public comment President Floyd Rollins of Local 7‑98 echoed O'Connor’s request, describing the denial of the $25,000 as an insult and calling on commissioners to forward a resolution to secure funding and yearly screening. Rollins referenced research and World Health Organization findings about an association between firefighting and increased cancer risk and emphasized the human cost borne by firefighters and their families.

Commissioners thanked O'Connor for his service and and acknowledged the seriousness of the request; the commission did not take a formal vote on a resolution at the June 28 meeting but President Nicasio proposed drafting a short letter to the California Public Utilities Commission on a different agenda item and suggested the commission secretary work with the chief’s office on communications. Commissioners and the chief agreed to follow up on the cancer‑screening request in future action or correspondence.

No formal resolution or appropriation was passed at the meeting; presenters asked the commission to consider next steps and possible formal action at a subsequent meeting.