Columbus Fire Department Approves Cancer Screening Contract

Mobile unit to provide biennial cancer screenings for all 98 firefighters and staff

Feb. 4, 2026 at 11:47pm

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The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety has approved a service agreement between the Columbus Fire Department and United Diagnostic Services LLC to provide cancer screening for all 98 firefighters and civilian staff. The mobile unit will visit Columbus in the spring to conduct the screenings, which will check for a variety of cancers that firefighters are at higher risk of developing.

Why it matters

Firefighters face an elevated risk of developing certain types of cancer due to the inherent dangers of their work. This new screening program aims to prioritize the health and well-being of the Columbus Fire Department's personnel by detecting any potential issues early, when they are often more treatable.

The details

Under the agreement, United Diagnostic Services will bring a mobile unit to Columbus and provide cancer screenings to all 98 firefighters and civilian staff at a cost of $335 per employee. The screenings will check for a wide range of cancers, including testicular cancer (102% greater risk), skin cancer (39% greater risk), and brain cancer (22% greater risk) that firefighters face. The mobile unit will visit Columbus sometime between March and May, and employees will be screened once every two to three years.

  • The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety approved the service agreement on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
  • The mobile screening unit is scheduled to visit Columbus in the spring, between March and May 2026.

The players

Columbus Fire Department

The municipal fire department serving the city of Columbus, Indiana.

United Diagnostic Services LLC

A New York-based company that will provide the mobile cancer screening unit and services to the Columbus Fire Department.

Mike Kutsko

Deputy chief of administration for the Columbus Fire Department.

Andy Lay

Chief of the Columbus Fire Department.

Columbus Professional Firefighters Local 2190

The union representing firefighters in the Columbus Fire Department.

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What they’re saying

“One of our many missions with the Columbus Fire Department is to prioritize the best health and well-being for all of our firefighters. These folks go out every day and expose themselves to all kinds of inherent risks, and we realize how important these ladies and gentlemen are to the city and we want to give them the best benefits, the best screenings that we can.”

— Mike Kutsko, Deputy Chief of Administration

“It was a big, big thing for them so I commend Local 2190 for bringing this forward.”

— Andy Lay, Fire Chief

What’s next

The mobile screening unit is scheduled to visit Columbus in the spring of 2026 to conduct the cancer screenings for all 98 firefighters and staff.

The takeaway

This new cancer screening program for the Columbus Fire Department demonstrates a proactive approach to prioritizing the health and safety of first responders, who face elevated occupational risks. By providing regular, comprehensive screenings, the department aims to catch any potential issues early and ensure its personnel receive the care they need.