Archive for category Cancer in the fire service

Cancer in the fire service

Aug 11

Posted by Admin in Cancer in the fire service | 1 Comment

The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered to develop and release the Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer. This report provides 11 actions that can be taken to mitigate the risk of cancer for firefighters.

Unfortunately, the topic of firefighter cancer has had a significantly increasing impact on firefighter health and welfare. Great strides have been made by departments and responders everywhere in combating and preventing cancer, but more still needs to be done. The time is NOW to make changes.

It is imperative that local leaders take this report to heart and spend the time and energy to make changes to improve the safety and health of firefighters. Too often, we hear about firefighters suffering from and dying of cancer. What if things had been differently and personal protective equipment (PPE) was washed thoroughly and stored it in a better way? There are many relatively cost-effective actions that can be taken to reduce the risk.

This report, released at Fire-Rescue International in Dallas, Texas, is dedicated to those that are battling or have lost their battle with cancer.

For additional cancer resources, go to firefightercanceralliance.org.

Tags: cancer in the fire service, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS), Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer, National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)

Cancer in the fire service

Aug 1

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Excerpts from wlos.com:

According to the Asheville Fire Department, for the second time in North Carolina history, a firefighter death caused by cancer is being determined by the Industrial Commission as a line of duty death. Asheville fire engineer Will Willis passed away after his battle with cancer earlier this year.

The fire department says this decision means his family will receive a survivor’s benefit. It will also give Willis’ children free college education at public North Carolina universities. Additionally, the decision means Willis’ name will be added to the state memorial in Raleigh. That ceremony should happen sometime in May.

Fire Chief Scott Burnette said the decision by the Industrial Commission was practically unheard of until now. He said the decision is important, not only for the Willis family, but also for the department.

This year, the Asheville City Council approved funds for a second set of turnout gear for Asheville firefighters. The department also has started new decontamination processes. They say the Industrial Commissions’ decision is an important part of recognizing what is happening.

Tags: Asheville Fire Department, cancer in the fire service, Fire Chief Scott Burnette, Firefighter cancer death ruled as line of duty death

A request for assistance …

Jul 30

Posted by Admin in Cancer in the fire service, Reader submission | Comments off

Hello:

I am writing this letter to find out whether anyone from your fire department was there after 9/11/2001 disaster.

I arrived at the trade center on 9/14/2001 and I worked with the Chicago Fire Department. I believe we were by the Verizon building; to the left of the Command Center. I showed up with two spackle buckets filled with fishing spikes I believe it was your captain who examined the spikes and said “What the hell are those”? I replied, I fish on steel pipes and I don’t slip.

His response was, “Can I walk up the side of F’n building with them”?.
I told him, “That probably would be a bad idea”. “He chuckled a little bit and said, “Strap me up”. So, I did. He went on one of his many rescue trips and when he returned he said, “Where the hell have you been”? Strap up my whole team up. That’s how it started.

I don’t remember how many days and nights you guys were there before I arrived. You guys appeared exhausted as hell, but you all just kept going and going. You men were like machines. I could not believe how hard you all were working. My role in this was very small. I would tighten the boots up after each of your rescue missions as there were many.

After you men returned from one of these missions we were all sitting under a concrete overhand. I asked, “What more can I do”?
One of your men said, “Look at the bac-ho on the street dumping debris”.
You replied, “Listen up when you go down to where the FBI is going to ask you to look for certain papers”. You replied, “F them”.
You need to look for any kind of red hose or Brass, we need to track our boys.

I am pretty sure you guys were not too fond of the FBI. When I got to the street, the FBI asked me, “If I was a fireman”. I replied, no.
I’m just a civilian helping out. They threw me down to the ground, face first and told me, “This is a restricted area”. They put me in hand cuffs. I had two FBI guys one on my left and one on the right.

By the time I got to my feet I turned around and all you guys came charging down
the two FBI guys on my right and left had their faces in the mud like really quick. They had no idea what hit them. You said this to the FBI un cuff him he is with us.

The FBI and police stood on one side of the street Firemen on the other side. We never talked much at all so many people died. I’m sorry for all your brothers’ you guys lost. I can’t explain the feeling I felt when you guys stood up for me. Thank You I believe you guys left on Saturday 9/15 I worked with some other carpenters building some ramps and doing whatever I could to help after you guys left

I was by the exit and they were letting us go in groups. They were prepping us on how the media is going to be all over us. I stayed and spoke to the guy in charge.
Allot of People died here, the little work I did in comparison to you guys was nothing. There is no way in hell I want see the media never mind speak to them. So, he took me out a back way.

Now for the hard part. To ask for anything on a day when so many people died. I really feel like shit. I have been battling cancer for the last year. I had three major operations. I have not worked in over a year I just finished my chemo treatments. I owe quite a bit of money for medical bills. Pretty soon I get a cat scan to see if the chemo worked. I have no feeling in my hands or feet. I have two beautiful girls
That I support

I am a carpenter by trade I have trouble buttoning my shirt never mind picking up a nail. The doctors told me the nerves in my hand and feet may grow back and may not. I heard a add on the radio and realized I may qualify. I called and spoke to an attorney they told me I qualify for the world trade center Victim Compensation Fund. They told me if can prove I was there on 9/14 for four hours You guys are the only ones that can do this. The story above may not be perfect, my memory sucks but I tried to include enough information, so you would remember who I was. You may even have some of the spiked shoes in your basement. I know I was with you guys on the 9/14 for allot more than 4 hours. I just need a letter.

I have no idea where you guys are I am sending this out randomly if this is not the correct Fire department. Please let me know!! if you could kindly pass this on to any of your Brothers from the Chicago Fire Department that where at the trade center on 9/14 I would truly appreciate that

Thank You

Robert Duphiney
100 Seward ST apt B-12
Rockaway NJ 07866
973-727-4875
robertduphiney@gmail.com

Tags: request for assistance, Robert Duphiney

Cancer in the fire service

Jul 15

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Excerpts from nj.com:

President Donald Trump on Monday signed legislation to set up a national registry for firefighters to help track links between exposure to fumes and cancer. The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to set up a database in order to study possible links between cancer and the fumes and toxins firefighters are exposed to. The idea is use the information to develop better equipment and other techniques to protect firefighters from cancer-causing chemicals.

The lawmakers cited a 2015 study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health that found that a greater incidence of certain cancers among firefighters compared with the general population.

Tags: cancer in the fire service, Firefighter Cancer Registry Act

Cancer in the fire service

Jul 11

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Excerpts from fosters.com:

Portsmouth (NH) Fire Lt. Russ Osgood was next to Firefighter Sarah Fox the day she died from cancer at Concord Hospital when he learned another fire brother, Jeff Bokum, had the disease as well.

The toll Osgood faced in that moment at the hospital was emotional, but a financial one came shortly after. Osgood and firefighters worked to raise thousands of dollars for Bokum’s out-of-pocket costs during his six-month battle as they had for Fox in the months before her death, cancer benefits not yet covered for fighters.

Tuesday will bring the passage of a law funding cancer treatment benefits Bokum and Fox went without before they died within a five-month span.

The bill will allow firefighter cancer treatment benefits to be funded through worker’s compensation as no funding mechanism was previously established by the Legislature. It’s passage will come 28 years after a law establishing a presumptive cancer law for firefighters was ruled unconstitutional because it lacked a funding mechanism, leaving firefighters with cancer to pay many costs out of pocket.

Firefighters had previously advocated for funding in Concord for years without success. The signing of the bill is meaningful not only to Portsmouth firefighters but to firefighters across the state.

Both the Bokum and Fox families struggled with finances as they worked to pay for treatment. Bokum went to MD Anderson Center in Houston, Texas, where he paid for for expensive treatment not covered by insurance on top of the cost of living in his temporary home.

Fox was raising three children, including two young twins, and was unable to contribute to her family’s business, which strapped the family. She also used all of her vacation time to deal with her treatment, and when she ran out, firefighters worked to swap shifts to help her. The creation of a leave bank for firefighters to donate leave time for other employees to use was also inspired by Fox.

Firefighters raised more than $100,000 over the course of a year and a half for Bokum and Fox. About 500 motorcyclists raised $25,000 in 2010 for the first annual Sarah’s Ride, which continues to this day. Donations big and small were received, from the large amount coming from Globe Manufacturing to $5 donations from lemonade stands run by kids.

Firefighters were well aware other states offered cancer benefits to firefighters and were frustrated that so much work was needed to pay for illness deemed work-related under law.

While losing Fox and Bokum was devastating for their fellow firefighters, their stories created awareness of firefighter cancer at a time when fewer people knew of their heightened risk. Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Tags: cancer in the fire service, law funding cancer treatment, law funding cancer treatment benefits

Cancer in the fire service

Jun 27

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Excerpts from abc13.com:

More than a year after a Houston firefighter died of cancer, her husband is fighting for benefits he says his wife earned. Margaret Roberts loved being a Houston firefighter. She did it for more than 21 years until her cancer-ravaged body simply couldn’t do it anymore. After a long fight with multiple myeloma, Margaret died in January 2017.

Three months after her death, Houston Fire Department Chief Sam Pena wrote a letter to the state pension system swearing, “Her death was a result of an illness sustained in the line of duty.” In a letter to the 100 Club after that, Pena again wrote that Roberts’ passing was “Declared a Line of Duty Death.”

Both letters would entitle Roberts’ surviving husband and children to benefits paid by groups other than the city of Houston. But when it comes to paying workers comp survivors benefits out of city funds, the city is hauling Roberts’ grieving family back before a workers comp judge. Despite losing the case for health benefits when Roberts was alive, the city wants to fight again on the same issue, claiming her multiple myeloma isn’t related to her firefighting work, but instead her race, weight, and family history.

Roberts’ own occupational medicine doctor declared in 2013, “In my professional opinion, Margaret Roberts’ multiple myeloma is work-related.”

The International Firefighters Union recognizes a link between multiple myeloma and firefighting. Four states specifically link cancer to firefighting. Scientific studies in 1983, 2001, 2006 and 2015 all suggest an increased or significantly elevated risk for firefighters getting multiple myeloma.

But Texas doesn’t recognize those studies, choosing instead to follow a United Nations-linked recommendation that doesn’t explicitly link the specific cancer to firefighting. The city refused to comment pending the lawsuits.

Roberts’ case is one of the first to go through the state’s workers comp system in which firefighters assert a link between cancer and fighting fires.

It is a growing issue across the country.

Tags: cancer in the fire service, family of firefighter cancer victim fighting for death benefits, Houston Firefighter Margaret Roberts

Cancer in the fire service (more)

Jun 26

Posted by Admin in Cancer in the fire service, Fire Service News | 1 Comment

Excerpts from the iafc.org:

The IAFC thanked Congress for final passage of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act (H.R. 931), groundbreaking legislation which will create an anonymous, voluntary registry for firefighters at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In order to facilitate this research, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act would create an anonymous, voluntary registry for firefighters at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data would include important information about the firefighter’s medical history; demographic information; number of incident responses and years in service; whether the firefighter was career or volunteer; what other jobs the firefighter might have had; and other risk factors. In addition, the registry would include under-represented types of firefighters, such as women and minorities.

Medical researchers would be able to use the information from this registry and compare it to information in state cancer registries to examine the relationship between firefighting and cancer. The purpose of this national registry will be to help researchers reduce the occurrence of cancer in our nation’s fire and emergency service.

Tags: cancer in the fire service, Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, Firefighter Cancer Registry Act (H.R. 931), H.R.931 - Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2017, National Firefighter Cancer Registry

Cancer in the Fire Service

Jun 1

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Excerpts from fosters.com:

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said he intends to sign a bill that passed the house last week to allow firefighter cancer treatment benefits to be funded through worker’s compensation.

Senate Bill 541 comes 28 years after a law was ruled unconstitutional that stated certain cancers are presumed to be work-related for firefighters, leaving firefighters with cancer to pay many of their costs out of pocket.

Bill McQuillen, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire said the bill would satisfy the call from firefighters for coverage funding as firefighters are considered to be at a higher risk of cancer than the general public. The state Supreme Court ruled the presumptive cancer law was unconstitutional in 1990 because the New Hampshire Constitution prohibits state mandates on municipalities without a set funding mechanism.

A representative from McQuillen’s union said the bill could mean more costs for municipalities since worker’s compensation rates would be adjusted. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Dan Innis, R-New Castle, said the fact there are so few firefighter cancer cases each year indicates the cost impact on the worker’s compensation system will likely be low.

The bill as introduced would have used a surcharge on insurance policies to fund benefits for firefighters presumed to have gotten cancer from their work. The Senate amended the bill to remove that funding mechanism after insurance companies lobbied against it. The amendment instead established a commission to study options for funding the benefits.

The bill was amended to fund the benefits through the worker’s compensation system in the House after it passed the Senate he intended to work with lawmakers on finding a funding solution.

Tags: bill to allow firefighter cancer treatment benefits to be funded through worker’s compensation, cancer in the fire service, Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire

Cancer in the fire service (more)

May 29

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Excerpts from Wayland.wickedlocal.com:

The Massachusetts Senate on Tuesday voted to set aside $420,000 to help municipalities buy equipment to remove deadly carcinogens from firefighters’ gear.

Under a budget amendment (1018) the money would seed a new trust fund to support the bulk purchase of extractors — large washing machines that can remove carcinogens that permeate clothing even after firefighters leave a scene. A $10,000 to $20,000 expense, extractors can be cost-prohibitive for municipalities, and nearly 30 percent of Massachusetts communities lack such equipment while others have outdated models.

In his maiden speech to his colleagues, the Foxborough Democrat invoked Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, and the late Sen. Ken Donnelly, whom he called “one of our own patron saints.” Donnelly, a 37-year Lexington firefighter who also held posts with the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, died in April 2017 after battling a brain tumor.

The U.S. Senate last week passed a bill which would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and maintain a registry to collect data regarding the incidence of cancer in firefighters. A 2015 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study found firefighters had a greater number of cancer diagnoses than the general population, according to Collins’ office. The bill had already passed the U.S. House, which now needs to approve a Senate amendment to it.

Tags: cancer in the fire service, lawmakers to help fire departments purchase extractors for cleaning gear