CT fire department program aimed at lowering cancer risks
The “Wash-Your-Hood-Sunday” program recently instituted by the East Hartford (CT) Fire Department raises awareness of the role dirty personal protective clothing plays in increasing the likelihood that firefighters may contract cancer.
The initiative involves making available to all personnel a second hood. Each Sunday (when on duty), members are to launder one of their issued hoods and rotate the use of the hoods to ensure an even number of wash cycles, according to Chief John H. Oates. The department has installed laundry equipment to facilitate the implementation and continuance of this new program. The chief, in his announcement of the implementation of the program, referred members to a letter written by a department member who had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and who has commended the program.
Some excerpts from the member’s letter follow:
- “This program promotes what should be common sense. This simple act of washing your hood can have a significant impact on your and your families’ lives.
- “On January 13, 2013, I sat with my wife as the doctor told me I had thyroid cancer …. As of that day, everything changed for my family.
- “…. Throughout that year, I had surgery and radioactive iodine treatments and was given a clean bill of health after my scan in November 2013.
- …. I was not alone [with a cancer diagnosis]. Just in the greater Hartford area, there is a cluster of firefighters with the same cancer in a very short period of time. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
- “Fast forward to February 2015. After my routine annual scan, my doctor called to say ‘I am sorry, but it appears that your cancer is back, and it appears that it has moved to your lymph nodes.’ …. My treatment plans involved … exploring possible options. In September, it was decided that the only real option was the one with the greatest risk. On October 28, I was given another high-dose radioactive iodine treatment. I will need to wait about a year to determine if this treatment worked. I will need constant lab work going forward because the greatest risk was that this treatment may have damaged my bone marrow, resulting in leukemia.
- “…. I can’t go back and wash my gear or my hood. I can’t take away the stress my family has experienced. I can’t ever go a day without wondering what’s next. While our job brings with it inherent dangers, we need to be proactive, reducing our risk whenever possible.” The full letter and release are at http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/2015/11/25/wash-hood-sunday/.
NVFC “Make Me a Firefighter” recruit public campaign opens
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has officially kicked off the public outreach component of its “Make Me a Firefighter” volunteer recruitment campaign for firefighters and emergency medical services members.
The NVFC received a federal SAFER grant to help departments address these challenges. Although departments were made aware of the campaign over the summer and fall, it has now been fully launched and promotion to the public has begun. Departments should post their volunteer opportunities in the database at http://portal.nvfc.org so that potential volunteers can find them when visiting the www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org web site.
A survey the NVFC conducted last year indicated that 29 percent of the U.S. population was interested in volunteering as a responder in the fire and emergency services. The survey also showed that 41 percent of respondents said they were unaware that their local department used volunteers, and 79 percent said they were unaware that their department needed volunteers.
Through the campaign, departments will receive resources and training for sponsoring a successful recruitment campaign. At the portal Web site, departments can post volunteer opportunities, track recruits, customize outreach materials, create personal invitations to potential volunteers, and access tools for working with the media.
In the relatively near future, there will be online courses on a variety of relevant topics that will help departments reach target audiences, welcome new members, and retain volunteers.
ASIS and NFPA launch active shooter initiative
More than 50 standards developers; industry groups; and members of law enforcement, government, and academia were expected to participate in the launch of an active shooter initiative on January 19 (after press time) in Arlington, Virginia. The event was jointly hosted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and ASIS International (ASIS). The two ANSI-accredited standards developing organizations are contemplating “the need to collectively address the intersections of security, safety, and fire safety management to maximize protection of human and physical assets during active shooter incidents,” according to the NFPA release. Administrative, management, and technology issues associated with active shooter events were to be explored.
According to Dr. Marc H. Siegel, commissioner, ASIS Global Standards Initiative, “The intent of this meeting is to bring together the foremost active shooter experts from across the spectrum of security, fire, and safety in an effort to develop tools for organizations of any size and sector, to best protect human life and physical assets.”
Among topics on the agenda for the January meeting were the following:
- Assessing the risks of an active shooter event.
- Preventing and preparing for an active shooter event.
- Recognizing potential indicators of violence.
- Responding to an active shooter event.
- Actions to take when confronted by an active shooter.
- Communication and interfacing with law enforcement officials and first responders.
- Managing and mitigating the consequences of an active shooter event.
- Seamless integration between security and fire safety measures and regulations.
LINE-OF-DUTY DEATHS
November 11. Deputy Chief Thomas J. Kolarick, 59, Protection Fire Company #1, Keasbey, NJ: medical emergency suffered on September 17; cause of death unknown.
November 19. Sergeant Vince Smith, 49, Detroit (MI) Fire Department: cause of death unknown.
November 20. Captain Walter Szelag, 65, Detroit (MI) Fire Department: heart attack.
November 25. Assistant Chief Terry “TC” Culver, 65, Calvert City (KY) Fire Department: cause of death unknown.
November 30. Captain Scott Carroll, 48, Oxnard (CA) Fire Department: brain aneurysm.
December 4. Firefighter/Paramedic Mark Zielinski, 49, Matteson (IL) Fire Department: heart attack.
December 5. Firefighter Zachary Chase Clevenger, 30, Estill County Fire Department, Irvine, KY: cause of death still to be reported.
December 11. Firefighter Lawrence “Larry” W. Millard, 56, Endeavor (WI) Moundville Fire Department: struck by a vehicle while directing traffic at the scene of a vehicle crash.
Source: USFA Firefighters Memorial Database
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