The National Firefighter Registry (Podcast)

,

For the first week in the Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month podcast series, IAFF Staff Members Doug Stern (Cincinnati Local 48) and Mark Treglio (Jaksonville Local 122) are joined by Dr. Kenny Fent and Dr. Miriam Siegel from NIOSH to discuss the National Firefighter Registry (NFR). Listen along to better understand what the NFR is, the legislative efforts behind getting the registry created, why it was created, who can join the registry and how the registry can be used to better understand occupational cancer in the fire service.

 


by

A Personal Story

,

This is the story of Ralf Garcia, City of Miami Local 587.

by

Firefighter Cancer Awareness

Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. In 2019, more than 75% of the names of fire fighters added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall of Honor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, were of members who died from occupational cancer.

In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the IAFF has designated January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.

Bringing increased public awareness to occupational cancer in the fire service will help generate greater legislative support for states and provinces to establish presumptive disabilities for all cancers affecting fire fighters.

 

by

January: Firefighter Cancer Awareness

The connection between firefighting and cancer is real, and it’s killing IAFF members at much higher rates than the general public. As part of efforts to prevent and reduce fire fighters’ risk of occupational cancer, the IAFF and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) are partnering to designate January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month.

The campaign, which kicks off January 4, draws attention to the scope of cancer in the fire service, and focuses on education, best practices for prevention and helping survivors of occupational cancer. Resources include safety stand downs, daily training briefs, fact sheets and other tools for prevention and mitigation.

Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death, and the IAFF and FCSN are committed to providing members with the best possible methods of prevention to reduce their risk of cancer.

Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month was established by Convention resolution (passed at the 2018 IAFF Convention) with a goal to provide a collaborative network for fire service members to share information and best practices to reduce preventable cancer risk throughout the entire year and beyond.

During the month of January, the IAFF and FCSN will promote cancer awareness and education online and through email communications, social media and podcasts addressing this important issue.

by

Local 2818 Members respond with COST

,

A portion of the collapsed Killen Generating Station in Manchester, Brown County. J. Kaltenbach photo.

 

COLLAPSE2

COST’s entry point (orange arrow points to the entry that is lined by orange paint middle/left of picture). J Kaltenbach photo.

On 9 December at approximately 1030 hours the Central Ohio Strike Team (Region 4 USAR) was activated and deployed to assist the Region 6 Hamilton County Fire Chiefs Association Urban Search and Rescue team in Adams County. Initial reports indicated a power generating plant had collapsed during demolition, trapping 3 people. Brothers Jordan Irwin and John Kaltenbach deployed for Mifflin and rallied at Columbus Fire Station 34 with (39) other COST personnel. The COST left in a convoy of vehicles at around 1200 hours and arrived on scene two and a half hours later. Initial information was that it was a decommissioned nuclear power plant that had collapsed, but further information en-route changed that information to a coal fired power plant. Just prior to COST’s arrival Hamilton County USAR rescued one live victim from the pile who was flown to an area hospital. Once Brothers Kaltenbach and Irwin arrived in staging, they were given squad assignments prior to beginning search efforts. Brother Kaltenbach was designated squad officer for Squad 2 and Brother Irwin was assigned to Squad 5. Hamilton County’s personnel were operating on the rear of the structure and had a command post established. They were looking for the occupant of a dump semi and we were assigned to look for a worker who was reported to have been working off of a man lift. COST Squad 1 made initial entry into the pile through a hole they cut in sheet metal siding and were able to locate the site where the man lift was laying on its side under a considerable amount of rubble. The work area for searching was relatively small so only one squad could operate inside at any given time. COST’s  six squads rotated into the collapse pile every 30-45 minutes. Search cameras were utilized to search void spaces around the man lift, and partner saws, angle grinders and torches were used to gain access to as many other void spaces as possible in order to search using search cameras.  COST also worked along side search K9’s and one “hit” on the area the squads were searching in. Unfortunately after over 7 hours of searching , the two teams had exhausted their capability to search any further. The sheer amount of heavy steel and debris and the tight work area made any further progress impossible. COST picked up and returned to station 34, arriving back at approx. 0100 hours. Local 2818 commends Brothers Kaltenbach and Irwin for their work and commitment to service. Our Local extends our sympathy and condolences to the friends and families of the deceased workers.

 

Collapse2

The collapsed section of the Killen Generating Station shortly after COST arrival. J Kaltenbach photo.

 

 

19 Members from Local 2818 are members of the Central Ohio Strike Team. COST is a NIMS Type 2 urban search and rescue team based in Ohio Homeland Security Region 4 in Columbus. Approximately (200) personnel from (10) fire/EMS departments in Franklin and Fairfield Counties comprise the COST. It is one of (8) urban search and rescue teams based through the state, in addition to FEMA Ohio Task Force One.

 

 

Further reading:

Cincinnati Enquirer Story 12/12/20

NBC Cincinnati affiliate WLWT-TV story 12/12/20

 

 

by

OAPFF Member Dies from COVID-19

It is with heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Brother Jeff Guernsey who passed away on Wednesday December 1st, 2020 following a nearly month long battle with COVID-19. Jeff was a Lieutenant with the Washington Township Fire Department (Montgomery County), where he worked since 1990. Brother Guernsey was the leader of the Department’s Honor Guard and took great pride in his role. Jeff was also a proud member of the US Armed Forces having served in the Navy.
He leaves behind his wife Jenny, a daughter, three sons and two grandchildren. Jeff lived life to the fullest, enjoying time with his family, traveling and being a friend to all. His humor and laughter will be remembered by everyone who knew him. “Jeff was the kind of person you’d be lucky to call a friend. We have lost a truly amazing man.” – Patrick Powell, President IAFF Local 3369
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Guernsey family and the members of Washington Township Fire Department, Local 3369. Rest easy Brother.
Details of his funeral service will be released later.
by

COVID-19 Update: Help Us Help You

,

Click the thumbnail for more information on managing anxiety related to COVID-19.

by