3 minute read
DOING IT RIGHT: CANCER
DOING IT RIGHT
CANCER PREVENTION FOR FIREFIGHTERS
By Bryan Frieders, President/ CEO Firefighter Cancer Support Network
HOW ONE CALIFORNIA CITY INVESTED THE TIME AND MONEY TO PROTECT ITS FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL CANCER
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, cancer is the leading cause of line of duty deaths amongst firefighters. Extraordinary efforts are being made to reduce the risk and provide insight into better ways of managing the cancer epidemic.
Take, for example, the fire department in Pasadena, Calif., which is making huge efforts to protect its membership. Under the leadership of Fire Chief Chad Augustin, the department has gained a reputation for outstanding dedication to providing the absolute best in the delivery of emergency services.
“As the Pasadena Fire Chief, I am committed to eliminating exposure to my members whenever possible,” he says, “And reducing exposure when elimination is not an option. My members and their families deserve every tool that is available to achieve this effort.”
In 2018, the PFD transitioned from standard diesel to Renewable Diesel Fuel (RDF) for all fire apparatus. RDF is a clean-burning type of diesel fuel that eliminates many of the known carcinogenic compounds contained in standard diesel fuel. Pasadena Fire Captain Dave Marquez and his team conducted an in-depth analysis of the RDF and developed an implementation plan. His efforts enabled the fire department to not only transition to RDF, but also to have the entire city fleet use this cleaner fuel – significantly reducing the risk of exposure to firefighters.
Too often on social media or TV we see fire departments making preventable mistakes and behaving in a manner that puts them at risk for injury or illness. To reduce the risk of occupational cancer effectively, fire department leaders must assume full responsibility for the actions of their staff and ensure they are provided the requisite tools, equipment, and training to keep safe. They must also hold accountable those who refuse to comply with known risk reduction actions such as wearing the SCBA during overhaul or cleaning their gear after being contaminated by products of combustion.
To that end, in 2017, the Pasadena Fire Department embraced all eleven initiatives published by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to reduce the risk of occupational cancer. Specifically, there was a recommendation for a second set of turnout gear for all members, an SOP mandating the use of the SCBA during overhaul operations, and an industry-leading example for conducting gross decontamination of all members exposed to the products of combustion during fireground operations.
Additionally, the PFD implemented a robust gear cleaning and inspection program. Led by Captains Salim Haddad and Ben Sullivan, the PFD safety equipment procurement and maintenance program provides each member two sets of custom-fit turnout
gear, two flash hoods, and all other necessary equipment to swap-out dirty gear for clean after a fire, without inhibiting the time an apparatus returns to service.
The Pasadena Fire Department is a fine example of a team which is doing it right. To accomplish this, there must be a commitment from both labor and management. They must collaboratively maintain a high awareness of the latest advances in gear, equipment, and best practices to maintain fireground safety. Fortunately, that cohesive relationship has been in existence for a very long time, thanks to the leadership of Pasadena Firefighters’ IAFF Local 809 President Sean Timoney, who has been at the forefront of creating and implementing industry bestpractices to ensure the safety and well-being of the PFD members.
During his tenure, the PFD was able to implement the programs mentioned above as well as maintain a comprehensive annual health and wellness program that includes cardiovascular evaluations, fitness and endurance evaluations, and blood screenings for each member of the department. The results of the screenings are given to each individual so they can be shared with their personal physician, and perhaps identify and mitigate early disease processes.
The members of the PFD are some of the best firefighters in the world. They maintain a constant pride of ownership in everything they do, both on and off the job. Their commitment to excellence and constant desire to provide the absolute best to the community makes them a model for other fire departments to emulate.
