Cancer is increasingly recognized as one of the most dangerous threats to firefighters today. Multiple studies have demonstrated that firefighters are at increased risk for several types of cancer compared to non-firefighters. The World Health Organization’s cancer division reclassified firefighting as a group 1 carcinogen. Simply stated, the toxins and carcinogens firefighters are exposed to on scene and through residual effects of firefighting are better understood now than ever before and this requires immediate changes in the fire service to best protect our members. By combining research with fireground experience, this presentation will offer real world, practical, and common-sense best practices that can be immediately implemented to best protect yourself, your family and your department from dangerous exposures and cross contamination of fireground containments. Know your risk and the steps you and your department should be taking now to minimize this risk. Your future self will thank you for the steps you take today.