Peoria mayor acknowledges reality and prevalence of cancer in fire service

PHOENIX – For many years the bureaucracy of local government has blinded mayors and city councils from cancer in the fire service.

But not for Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat.

She took the podium Friday morning to honor fallen Peoria fire Capt. David Rehkne. The 59-year-old lost his battle with occupational cancer earlier this month after a near 10-year battle with the disease he contracted as a result of his job.

“Even after a lifetime of service he spent his retirement, his final years not only fighting an unrelenting disease but petitioning endlessly for the safety and security of the current and future firefighting families,” Carlat said.

Rehnke served 30 years with the Peoria Fire Department before he was forced to retire due to his renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer found in adults.

During the memorial service, Carlat described an interaction she had with Rehnke seven years ago – when she first became Mayor.

“I sat down with Dave and asked him to help me understand the connection of his cancer and his profession,” Carlat described.

Vocal in the fight for protections for firefighters, Rehnke showed the new mayor research about cancer-causing carcinogens firefighters are subjected to every day.

That’s when Carlat’s eyes were opened to the leading cause of death among firefighters.

She asked what she could do as mayor and Rehnke was very clear about the steps that could be taken to limit the exposure of Peoria firefighters.

Those steps include a second set of turnouts, the gear firefighters wear into housefires. It also included certain decontaminating measures for firefighters to shower after house fires to wash off carcinogens.

Those steps were taken and remain in place, all in remembrance of Rehnke’s legacy.

“Mayors get to do a lot of good things, I have a very gratifying job,” Carlat said. “But interventions that directly contribute to the health and longevity of life – those are rare. Dave gave me that opportunity and for that, I will forever be grateful to him.”

Rehnke was instrumental in the fight to pass HB 2161 that ensures protection for health benefits of firefighters who contract cancer as a result of their job.

Although Gov. Doug Ducey signed the legislation into law, some cities continue to deny firefighters their benefits.

Advocates for firefighters have worked to close the loopholes insurance companies use to deny them their benefits, but no further legislation has been passed to date.

Rehnke is survived by his wife of 30 years, Brenda, his daughter Shannon and his son Dustin.

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