Firefighters to wear pink to raise breast cancer awareness

Since his wife underwent chemotherapy five years ago for breast cancer, Carson City Firefighter Pat Robertson said he hasn't stopped wearing a "LiveStrong" wristband - the international symbol of cancer awareness.

He said his family's struggle wasn't the only one in the Carson City Fire Department.

"Quite a few of us have been affected by cancer," he said.

Starting Monday, firefighters in the city will don pink Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Think Pink T-shirts with the Carson City Fire Department emblem.

The shirts were donated by the hospital, and the Carson City Fire Fighters Association paid for the decal. The awareness campaign will last two weeks.

Firefighter Gary Garrett said the association approved the action about a month ago at the suggestion of the International Fire Fighters Association and then asked Carson Fire Chief Stacey Giomi to agree.

Giomi, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, not only agreed to allow fire crews and paramedics to wear the pink shirts, but also included support staff. The department's entire staff of 70 will be on board with the project.

"We wanted to help out as best as we could to support breast cancer awareness and we knew we were highly visible to the public," said Garrett, adding with a smile, "Firemen are brave enough to wear pink."

Giomi said the campaign is just one example of what firefighters do outside of the emergency calls.

"We encourage our people to give back not just in their jobs, but also in their communities - whatever community they live in," he said.

"Our jobs may be in public safety but our hearts are in public service," said Garrett.