Development and Evaluation of the Firefighter Exposure to Carcinogens Scale (FECS)

Objective Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens from combustion, necessitating decontamination practices. This study developed and validated the Firefighter Exposure to Carcinogens Scale (FECS) to assess exposure-mitigating behaviors. Methods The sample included 179 volunteer firefighters from across Canada, comprising both English and French speakers, evaluated 20 items on exposure prevention across three dimensions: perceived importance, past behavior, and future intention. Principal axis factor analysis was conducted, and Parallel Analysis based on Principal Components determined the number of factors. McDonald’s Omega measured internal consistency, and item-total correlations were examined. Results A one-factor solution was acceptable for all scales, with high coefficient omega values indicating strong internal consistency. Small mean differences between language groups were nonsignificant, and no correlations were found with demographic variables. Conclusions The FECS is a reliable, valid one-factor model for both languages, supporting cancer prevention efforts.