DES MOINES, Iowa (WHO-TV) — Eight Des Moines firefighters are currently battling cancer, while the Firefighter Union calls on Iowa to cover all forms of cancer. Paul Storbeck is an Iowa native and a successful businessman turned firefighter for the Des Moines Fire Department. He is now a Senior Medic for the department. After years of service, his life changed unexpectedly in 2019 while caring for his father during his final days.

Storbeck was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023. After more testing, he learned the cancer had spread to his pelvis and lungs. Fortunately for Storbeck, prostate cancer is one of the 14 cancers covered by the state of Iowa for firefighters. However, this isn’t the case for many on the frontlines.

Des Moines F.D. Lt. Rick Thomas said of the 10 or so firefighters diagnosed with cancer,” two have died, and none were covered by the State. With over 200 diagnosable cancers, officials with the Des Moines Fire Department are urging legislators to pass a law that would cover firefighters from all types of cancer. Lieutenant Thomas told WHO-TV “[Firefighters] are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to pass away from cancer than the general public.”

This month, the Des Moines Firefighter Union launched a social media campaign for Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. The CDC reported that cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters.