NC: Asheville Assistant Fire Marshal's Cancer Death Line of Duty

Asheville, NC -- Press Release -- The North Carolina Industrial Commission has ruled Assistant Fire Marshal Karen Shuart’s death from cancer as a line of duty death. This is the third ruling in the state history, two of which were Asheville firefighters. This ruling validates the growing crisis of the increase in cancer among firefighters which is now the leading cause of death.  This ruling is a huge step for the fire service and is also beneficial for Karen’s family.

Karen died January 31, 2019, after serving 25 years with the Asheville Fire Department. “This ruling significantly honors Karen and the sacrifice that she made serving our community as a firefighter,” states Fire Chief Scott Burnette. “This also ensures that her courageous battle did not end with her passing, but instead will continue to protect firefighters from the cancer risks that they face daily.”