The bunker gear of firemen hangs in a non-ventilated closet, March 20 at Station 8. There is hope that with the consideration of a proposed tax hike, funds could be allocated to better serve public safety. Photo by Philip B. Poston/Sentinel

AURORA | The Aurora City Council approved spending $800,000 on additional gear for local firefighters in an effort to mitigate what they say is increased cancer risk posed by exposure to carcinogenic contaminants. 

The money approved Monday would allow firefighters to purchase additional bunker gear and pay for its decontamination.

“Dirty gear is increasingly cancerous for firefighters,” one former city firefighter who spoke in support of the appropriation, said. The measure will allow for the purchase of 270 sets of gear with 50 for firefighting academies.

Studies and research on contaminated gear and the risk of cancer were not available at press time.

During a city council meeting last month, Aurora Fire Chief Fernando Gray said the department will take a more aggressive plan to decrease cancer risks among Aurora firefighters. Gray said a firefighter may be exposed to at least 84,000 carcinogens at any house fire, which puts them at a higher risk for cancer.

In other business, the city council gave initial approval to an ordinance that would allow recreational vehicles to be parked on city streets for five days, but then they must be moved for 72 hours before they can be parked in the same place.

The initial ordinance targeted only motorhomes, but it was amended to include all recreational vehicles, such as boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and trailers. The proposed measure requires final approval.

Additionally, council members approved the Aurora Police Department’s ability to issue summons to registered sex offenders who do not pay their sex-offender registration fees. The police department said that as of 2017, there was $29,650 in outstanding unpaid sex-offender registration fees. That measure also will require a final vote. As of February, there are 1,257 registered sex offenders in Aurora, police said.

Also, city lawmakers gave initial approval to an ordinance requiring licensure of Aurora massage facilities. The measure is intended to crack down on massage businesses engaging in prostitution and human trafficking. The proposed ordinance requires final approval.