100,000 FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOT WRONG.
FIREFIGHTING, SMOKE & OUR CANCERS (Part 2)
As firefighters, the discussions on the previous THROUGH THE SMOKE Show could not have made our hair stand up any more than it did! That “Firefighter Cancer Study”, done by University of Cincinnati (UC) environmental health researchers blew us away…sort of. It’s not as if we DIDN’T know about the problems-we just didn’t really WORRY ABOUT IT. But maybe now, it seems, we are….well, maybe. The UC-led team analyzed information on 110,000 firefighters from 32 previously published scientific studies to determine the comprehensive health effects and correlating cancer risks of our profession. Sheesh.
SO WHY NOW? We always knew to WEAR OUR SCBA…but we don’t always listen. In some towns, we RARELY listen. We KNOW wearing SCBA made sense…but we didn’t really worry about it when there was just some smoke. We also never thought that a little soot on our face or hands was a problem. We never really thought about those outside-such as the chiefs, the pump operators, the safety folks, the sector bosses, the EMS personnel and even the fire photographers and others who were actually IN the smoke…even though it would clear “in just a little while”. SO NOW WHAT?
Join Through The Smoke Host Chief Billy Goldfeder with both his guests, Dr. Grace LeMasters, PhD, and for his first time joining us, Dr. James Lockey, MD from the Univ. of Cincinnati, the leaders in this FIREFIGHTER study for PART 2 with more frank and NO NON-SENSE discussion of these concerns in protecting firefighters. Listen….if we don’t pay attention to these EXPERTS…odd’s are, some of us will never pay attention and the results are predictable-and now, PROVEN.
LINKS OF INTEREST FOR THIS WEEKS SHOW:
• University of Cincinnati Cancer Study Press Info
• U.C FF Cancer Article
• IAFF’s Project Hero PPE Program
• Smoke Inhalation Poisoning Study
• Smoke Inhalation Treatment
• Smoke Perceptions, Myths and Understandings
• Firefighter Cancer Support Network
• FirefighterCancer.org
• http://www.firegrantsupport.com
If you have suggestions, questions or comments, please e-mail them to: podcast@firehouse.com
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A simple thanks is all that I can give you, but it is from the heart. Keep up the work and stay safe
Wallace Reeve
Firefighter
Your knowledge and ability to present your points is fantastic! Thank you and you staff for all you have presented. I have learned many things and reinforcements to use in my present role as a new Fire Chief of a Volunteer Department.
Can you send me the link to the Univ. of Cinn report? I do not see it on the Firehouse site as of yet. I have been incorporating the study into recent training and am also interested in finding how our Ohio BWC is interpreting the report. I cannot imagine that they are happy. We have had difficulty in getting benefits in the past for FFs with cancer. My opening page on my powerpoint lists the names of 7 individuals we have lost from cancer since the mid 80s. 5 were from what we all believe was one exposure in the early 80s. It was interesting how FFs reacted to seeing all of those names right in their faces and hearing the information from UNIV of Cinn. My last slide was assigned homework for each FF to tune in to your show and to listen for themselves about the issues at hand.
Keep up the good work.
Lt. Yarnell
Westerville Ohio
Billy:
Many thanks for your tireless work educating all of us on the many occupational dangers facing firefighters and paramedics.
26 years on the structural job and a few years with wildland prior, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) last month. PCa is one of four major firefighters’ cancers highlighted in the LeMasters and Lockey University of Cincinnati study.
As a Brother firefighter “On the Dime” I am now highly motivated and mission-oriented to reduce other Brothers/Sister firefighters’ cancers.
First, we can most help ourselves by following the University of Cincinnati study recommendations of eliminating chronic exposures. Proper PPE, cleaning our contaminated gear, using our diesel collection systems, not bringing our turnout gear into our living and dorm space; never loading contaminated hose with bare hands/skin… These are all things WE can do.
But what if a firefighter gets “bad news” during routine screening or biopsy? In addition to the http://www.IAFF.org excellent health/safety support, firefighters can go to:
1) http://www.firefightercancersupport.org Firefighter Cancer Support Network
2) http://www.FFCancer.org Firefighter Cancer Foundation
3) http://www.LiveStrong.org Lance Armstrong Foundation (see “Cancer Support”)
There are many resources for patients with cancer—you are not alone. As Lance Armstrong points out, you must become an expert in your own cancer. You must become an advocate for yourself and your health. Information, education, and networking can all help to reduce the fear and depression that may accompany diagnosis of cancer. Get on the internet and hook up with other cancer patients. Get second opinions—“Back it up and Look it UP”. Seek out the ‘best of the best’ doctors and treatment, TRAVEL if you need to. It’s your life!
Be well. Thanks again for the great show.
Eric Sondeen
Littleton Fire Rescue (CO)
Chief Goldfeder, I, like many, have been a long-time reader and follower of your teachings, but since resently hearing you in person, I want to strive to become more of a “disciple,” and spread the word of … EVERYONE GOES HOME!
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Thanks, for the information, Chief. Now if we can only get our State Legistlature to provide us in Ohio with a Presumptive Cancer Law.
Colon and prostate cancer if discovered early can be cured. A yearly physical is what saved my life ….twice……. Ret. Captain Ken Larsen
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