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Phoenix firefighters pitch in to buy sauna for health benefits

Posted at 10:24 PM, Mar 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-26 01:40:43-04

Fire station 5 in Phoenix may look like every other firehouse, but it is unique. 

There is a tool being utilized that can potentially save lives. 

The firefighters decided to pool their money together to purchase a used sauna on Craigslist. 

Studies show sweating out the soot and toxins after fighting a fire is a health benefit that can prevent cancers linked to the job. 

"You definitely feel better, and you feel like you're doing something that will affect your quality of life later on down the road," said firefighter Jeff Herbert. 

Firefighters rotate two at a time for 15 minutes. Sitting in the sauna is now part of station 5's decontamination protocol. 

"Your pores start opening up, and the guys can instantly start smelling the fire, those heavy metals, carcinogens; they can smell it in there leaving their body," explained department spokesperson Rob McDade. 

Station 5 hopes to be paving the way for an industry facing extreme dangers every day.