Seymour fire department recognized for screening program

The Seymour Fire Department is being recognized for its innovation with a statewide award.

The fire department’s cancer screening program was recently recognized with the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities’ Program Innovation Award. The Program Innovation Award honors municipalities that have successfully developed and implemented creative new approaches to delivering services or conducting municipal operations. The Seymour award was for communities with less than 25,000 population.

The cancer screening program is a partnership with United Diagnostic Services. At a cost of about $350 per firefighter, each of the department’s 45 active firefighters received non-invasive ultrasounds, examining their heart, thyroid, liver, kidneys, bladder and other organs. As a result of the screenings, one firefighter was diagnosed with an early stage of thyroid cancer that was successfully treated with minor surgery.

The screenings are to be repeated every two years and are seen as a cost-effective and life-saving measure compared to cancer treatment. The program is supported by both the firefighters union and the city and officials say it demonstrates a strong commitment to firefighter health and safety.

The awards were presented at a luncheon held in October in French Lick.

Photo courtesy of Seymour Fire Department Facebook page