Local 2818 is proud to partner with Franklin Township Local 1441 and Firefighter-owned Heart State Brewery to host a remembrance and fundraising event on Saturday, September 11th, honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11/01. Heart State will be brewing a special firefighter themed beer with 100% of the profits going to charity; proceeds will be split equally between the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Franklin Township Community Fund. Heart State will be open 11AM-11PM on Saturday. We look forward to seeing everyone.

Alternatives to Building Resilience and Relieving Post Traumatic Stress


Resilience refers to the process by which individuals adapt positively during or after stressful situations that involve adversity or risk – this applies to both our personal and professional lives. Furthermore, resilience is a teachable proactive measure that is different for everyone.


Please join us as we welcome David Brown, President, from Frontline Freedom Adventure Therapy and Firefighter/Paramedic and OAPFF Peer Team Member Shawn Stauffer from Plain Twp. Fire Department.


Frontline Freedom is a non-profit organization that offers expense-free Adventure Therapy to current and retired first responders. They host multiple backpacking and fly-fishing trips per year that are designed to encourage connection and team building. David Brown will discuss his program and how the outdoor experiences can reduce anxiety, tension, and other post-traumatic stress symptoms.


Firefighter Shawn Stauffer (Plain Twp. Local 3850) will share his personal story of how he overcame adversity. He believes fitness is a key component to strong mental health and a valuable resource for managing and coping with on and off the job stress.

A group of Boston recruits look to the future….

IAFF staff sit down with the president of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), Bryan Frieders, to discuss the organization’s rise and structure, its mission to keep fire fighters safe, its alliance with the IAFF and the resources the FCSN provides in support of fire fighters who have received a cancer diagnosis. Bryan also explains efforts being taken by the FCSN to reduce cancer exposures in the fire service.

As part of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network’s joint effort to promote Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in January – Providence, RI Local 799 member Donna MacDonald shares her occupational cancer story.

Following fire activities, exposure reporting is necessary to document exposures that can lead to occupational diseases and cancer. The National Fire Operations Reporting System (NFORS) Exposure Tracker is available as an app for fire fighters, paramedics or officers to log exposure and incident details in a private, encrypted and secure online environment. The information gathered will help researchers better understand toxic exposures on the fire scene and develop new treatments and prevention protocols for occupational diseases, including cancer. Download the NFORS Exposure Tracker App by going to the app store on your mobile device.

As part of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network’s joint effort to promote Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in January – Grand Island, NE Local 647 member Lonnie Mitteis shares his occupational cancer story.