VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Tuesday night, Virginia Beach City Council members supported a proposal for improved cancer and cardiovascular screenings for firefighters.

The meeting came a month after Virginia Beach firefighter Matthew Gallina died from esophageal cancer.

At the meeting, Virginia Beach Fire Chief Ken Pravetz said cardiac issues and cancer are the two major dangers firefighters face.

He said the average age for a firefighter to have a heart attack is at 49 years old, much younger than the national average of 66 years old.

Pravetz added that two of his firefighters died from cardiovascular illnesses at 54 and 63 years old. He moved on to say that firefighter cancer is a growing menace in the workforce.

Pravetz cited data, saying firefighters have a 9% higher risk of cancer diagnosis, and a 14% higher risk of death than the general population.

He called for regular cancer screenings with ultrasounds, cancer blood tests, cardiac screenings and more. Pravetz added, the existing physical screening process they have was not able to identify any of the cancers impacting the Virginia Beach Fire Department.

City council members agreed with his findings, saying that this is a very important issue that must be solved.

“We know that if you find it early, early detection is the key, and it can make the difference between life and death. And firefighters who are putting themselves already on the line to protect us, we should be able to protect them on this health issue,” said Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson.

Chief Pravetz also said the new proposals would cost $800,000 a year, but claimed it would actually save the city money in the long run by preventing the need for workers compensation claims.

A portion of the money would come from the city’s risk management budget.