First Responders: On the Frontlines of Climate Change

Authored by: Natalia Collins

Art by: Aleena Naeem

Joel Eisiminger was fighting the Northern California wildfires when his coworkers noticed one side of his face was drooping. Joel was soon after diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a fatal blood cancer, at only 25 years old. He had no known risk factors for this form of cancer, except for his work as a wildfire firefighter. Joel’s cancer was attributed to chemicals from long term smoke inhalation over his 6 years of wildfire fighting. [1] Joel, like many other wildfire fighters and first responders, was facing devastating health effects from his continued effort working during environmental disasters. Climate change is the primary cause of growing quantities of natural disasters, in the form of wildfires, floodings, and hurricanes, and its impacts are felt in both the physical and mental health of first responders [2].

Longer and more intense fire seasons have brought the health impacts of wildfire fighting to light. In 2024, more than 13.5 million hectares of forest were lost to wildfires, recorded as the most devastating wildfire year to date. This increased quantity of forest fires is attributed to climate change, which has brought higher temperatures and more intense drought seasons [2]. Smoke exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, cancer, and premature death. A wildfire firefighter working over a 25-year period faces a 43% greater risk of lung cancer and a 30% greater risk of cardiovascular disease [3]. Prior to these global increases in wildfires, wildfire fighters' work was largely seasonal and contained to warmer months, hiding some of the more serious health consequences of this type of first response [4]. 

For urban firefighters, proper respiratory gear is required to enter the scene of a fire. Yet, the U.S. Forest Service, the primary employer of wildfire fighters, maintained a decade-long ban on mask protection. The Forest Service argued that masks could cause overheating on wildfire scenes, and recommended bandanas be used as protection [3]. In September of 2025, only after receiving intense public pressure, the Forest Service provided its employees with N95 masks [5]. However, efforts must still be made to educate wildfire fighters about the long term effects of smoke inhalation and the importance of masking protections. 

The risks of climate change extend beyond wildfire fighters to many other first response fields. Rising temperatures from greenhouse gas admissions increase global risks of floods, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events, placing additional strain on search and recovery teams, paramedics, and EMTs [6]. This strain is not only felt in terms of physical health, but mental health too. During a 2025 flood in Ingram, Texas, search and recovery volunteer Margo Mellon, only 25 years old, was a part of a search to locate victims. When asked about her experience, she says “I’ll try not to think about it too much,” she said. “I’ll just think about the fact that at least the families have closure.” [7] Lt. Colonel Ben Baker, who led the operation, reflected on the emotional toll of first responders during flood rescues: “We process it the best we can… We’re making sure they have the support… to see a child in that loss of life is extremely tragic.” [7] Such repeated search and rescue efforts from environmental disasters have lasting impacts on the mental health of first responders. 

First responders are trained to work environmental disasters, but these scenes pose significant mental challenges, manifesting as anxiety, depression, or PTSD [8]. 

For example, the search and response workers in the Ingram flood, many of whom were involved in Hurricane Katrina response, report flashbacks and long-term trauma [7]. 

Following these disasters, first responders do not have the access or financial means for mental health care, especially in rural communities [8]. Likewise, Joel and other wildfire fighters also face financial difficulties in treatments for cancer or respiratory illnesses [1].

As climate change increases the quantity and intensity of environmental disasters, first responders feel the consequences in both their long-term physical and mental health. Access to proper safety gear, extensive healthcare coverage, and mental health support must be included in the fight against climate change. Priority must be placed on the wellbeing of individuals who risk their lives in protection of others.

References:

1. Dreier, H. (2025c, September 7). “If I Live to 25, I’ve Lived a Good Life.” The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/us/wildfire-firefighter-cancer.html

2. Aponte, C., de Groot, W. J., & Wotton, B. M. (2016). Forest fires and climate change: causes, consequences and management options. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 25(8), i. https://doi.org/10.1071/wfv25n8_fo 

3. Hwang, J., Chong, N.-S., Zhang, M., Agnew, R. J., Xu, C., Li, Z., & Xu, X. (2023b). Face-to-face with scorching wildfire: potential toxicant exposure and the health risks of smoke for wildland firefighters at the wildland-urban interface. The Lancet Regional Health, 21, 100482–100482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2023.100482 

4. Flannigan, M. D., Stocks, B. J., & Wotton, B. M. (2000). Climate change and forest fires. Science of the Total Environment, 262(3), 221–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0048-9697(00)00524-6 

5. Dreier, H. (2025d, September 9). U.S. Wildfire Fighters to Mask Up After Decades-Long Ban on Smoke Protections. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/us/wildfires-masks-firefighters.htm

6. Hirabayashi, Y., Mahendran, R., Koirala, S., Konoshima, L., Yamazaki, D., Watanabe, S., Kim, H., & Kanae, S. (2013). Global flood risk under climate change. Nature Climate Change, 3(9), 816–821. 

7. Finley, B., & Lathan, N. (2025b, July 9). Flood takes a toll on Texas first responders’ mental health. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/texas-floods-search-first-responders-mental-health-33fc7cb66093694d380e5d95a9b72d98?utm_source=chatgpt.com

8. Haugen, P. T., Evces, M., & Weiss, D. S. (2012). Treating posttraumatic stress disorder in first responders: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(5), 370–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2012.04.001