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.
So, someone in your department or Local has gotten the news of their cancer diagnosis. How do we support him/her? San Gabriel CA Battalion Chief Bryan Frieders offers some thoughts on behalf of the I-Chiefs Safety Section. (Article photo screenshot above opens the article)
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.
This is the story of Ralf Garcia, City of Miami Local 587.
A portion of the collapsed Killen Generating Station in Manchester, Brown County. J. Kaltenbach photo.
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.
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
Click the thumbnail for more information on managing anxiety related to COVID-19.
Local 2818 Members are on duty in all bureaus and prepared to respond to any community emergency. Our dispatchers in the Alarm Office will be asking additional interrogation questions to screen for possible COVID-19 exposure. Our paramedics are undertaking protective measures to appropriately respond to and provide treatment to persons needing EMS services in any capacity.
We implore all community members to check on ill and infirm family, friends, and neighbors. As directed by the Ohio Department of Health, practice appropriate distancing, but please, PLEASE, call, text, or email those you care for, and those at risk.
We remain vigilant, and prepared, to care for the citizens of Gahanna and Mifflin Township.
For specific information or questions related to COVID-19, please call 833-427-5634.