Work Continues on the Vermont Emergency Services Memorial!
A cooperative effort has lead to the addition of several features to the Vermont Emergency Services Memorial. Recent work has been done including the installation of flag poles, a sidewalk, lighting, and landscaping. Each service is now represented by a flag as blue and red lights illuminate the main monument each night. Special thanks go out to the Staff of the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services, Vermont Fire Academy, and the Vermont Police Academy for this work. Inscribed bricks are on sale and will be inlaid at the memorial. Click here for more information on how to buy a memorial brick.
The Green Mountain Responder is seeking articles of interest for the next issue!
Line of Duty Death - June 15, 2009 Paramedic Dale Long Bennington Rescue Squad
Friends may find it fitting to memorialize fallen firefighters with an inscribed brick at the Vermont Emergency Services Memorial. An order form can be obtained by CLICKING HERE.
News Update from the VSFA President
By Kristy Oxholm, VSFA President May 8, 2009
The DECA bill passed the House last night for a huge victory for the fire service over the chemical companies. This just shows what the fire service is capable of when everyone works together. This will ban a fire retardant that is hazardous to us when it does burn. It has an alternative that can be used instead in mattresses, computers and televisions that has not been shown to be hazardous to us.
On another front, the Capital Bill's Conferees shook hands yesterday, leaving the fire service $200,000 to complete the VTC burn building, $100,000 for equipment for training at the burn building, and $100,000 for the dry hydrant program.
Thanks to everyone who has worked to make this a successful year at the Statehouse for the coalition and the VSFA!
Each and every member has knowledge and information to share.What does your department do to foster this attitude?Do you have a formal mentoring program?Do you have a senior member who has become the unofficial department mentor without a formal program?
I challenge you to start a program if you don’t have one.If you have a program, please share it so that other departments can learn from you.Results will be shared via the Green Mountain Responder and at a display at the 2009 Conference.
We all know that our number one goal is to bring each of our members home safely at the end of each call or activity.What does your department do to ensure that “Everyone Goes Home”?Do you have a formal or informal program?Do you have ideas for one?
I challenge you to get involved in making sure that your brothers and sisters are safe in their emergency response activities.Share your ideas and successes with your emergency services family around the state.
One does not have to do a lot of research to determine that the extra pounds that many of us carry are a large contributor to some of the health problems that can cause cardiac events when we are in high stress situations.Let’s see what we can do, as a group, to minimize that risk.
I challenge you to lose a ton of extra weight.Those of you who don’t have extra to lose can help by encouraging those who do.Please get advice from your health care professional and let’s lose a ton (2000 pounds) together!
Get a Vermont DMV issued Fire/Rescue Plate for your vehicle.
Here's how:
1. Obtain a membership verification letter from VSFA Treasurer, Roger Young
2. Click the license plate above to download the DMV application.
3. Mail the completed application form, verification letter, and payment to DMV.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RESPONDER NEWSLETTER SEEKS SUBMITTALS
The newsletter of the Vermont State Firefighters Association is seeking submittals of articles from members or other organizations that may be of interest to our members. To submit an article, or for additional information, contact Kristy Oxholm at 802-985-5461 or by e-mail at greenmountainresponder@verizon.net
Download the latest editions! Green Mountain Responder
Information Released on Fire Station Construction Grants
Information Provided by the United States Fire Administration The Department of Homeland Security’sAssistance to FirefightersFire Station Construction Grants (FSC) will provide financial assistance directly to fire departments on a competitive basis to build new or modify existing fire stations in order for departments to enhance their response capability and protect the community they serve from fire and fire-related hazards. The authority for FSC is derived from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). Congress appropriated a total of $210 million for this Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 program.
DHS consulted with the nine major fire service organizations to obtain insight and expertise providing funding priority recommendations. Our primary goal is to help fire departments meet their firefighting and emergency response needs. FSC seeks to support organizations lacking the tools and resources necessary to effectively protect the health and safety of the public and their emergency response personnel with respect to fire and all other hazards. The program will be administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program Office.
The AFG Program Office will be utilizing the established grant process employed for all other grant opportunities with AFG. Applications will be submitted via the automated e-grant application and the program office expects the e-application will be available the week of June 8th. The submitted applications will be screened using the answers to the questions in the application to determine which applications will go to panel. Finally, a panel of peers will review each application sent to panel and provide recommendations regarding which applications will be funded.
During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays (Eastern Time). However, the help desk will close at 4:30 p.m., on Friday, July 3rd and will not be open on Saturday, July 4th.Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Station Construction Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov.
Important Reminder Concerning Cancer Screenings for Fire Fighters!
The Fire Fighter Protection Act of 2007 was passed into law and signed by Governor James Douglas on July 1, 2007. The law is specific about the fire fighters which are covered. All fire fighters should undergo an initial cancer screening within two years of the day the law was enacted. The deadline is July 1, 2009. All firefighters are covered after 5 years of service on the department, as long as their age is less than 65 years old. Newly hired fire fighters should undergo a cancer screening at the time of their hiring or appointment. Most importantly, to be eligible, a fire fighter should abstain from tobacco products for 10 years.
Please make an appointment for your initial screening today by calling your physician! Forms to document the cancer screening are located below.
New Highway Safety Regulation Updated with Interim Rule for Firefighters
Federal Regulation 23 CFR 634 goes into effect on November 24, 2008 and requires all workers within the right of way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed to traffic to wear high-visibility safety apparel. The purpose of this regulation is to decrease the likelihood of worker fatalities in the right of way. This regulation applies to emergency responders as well. For additional information, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN INFORMATIONAL SHEET or visit www.respondersafety.com for additional information.
On November 21, 2008, the FHWA issued an interim final rule revising the Worker Visibility rule (23CFR 634) to create an exemption for the firefighting community. This interim Final rule allows firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials to wear retroreflective turn-out gear that is specified and regulated by other organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association. Firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in any other types of operations shall wear high-visibility safety apparel as defined in this rule. The FHWA decided to issue this interim final rule to address safety concerns raised by fire fighting community. The interim final rule was published in the Federal Register today and goes in effect on November 24, 2008. This rule can be accessed at the following link:
There are many risk factors for breast cancer. Exposures to certain chemicals have been identified as possible risk factors for breast cancer. Exposure to some of these chemicals may occur during firefighting activities. For more information on female firefighters and their cancer risks, follow this link: http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/learning/alert/fire08.cfm
NOTICE
Copies of the screenings required under the Cancer Presumption Act should not be sent to the VSFA!!! A copy should be kept by your physician in your medical records and you should retain a copy in a safe place in case you ever need to prove in the future that you had the screening.
VERMONT FIREFIGHTERS AND CANCER SCREENINGS
By Richard D, Lovett, MD Oncologist, Rutland Regional Medical Center Department Physician, City of Rutland Fire Department Medical Advisor, Vermont State Firefighters Association
The Firefighter Protection Act of 2007 was passed into law and signed by Governor James Douglas on July 1, 2007. This law recognizes that there are certain cancers that are seen with increased incidence in
firefighters. The law also recognizes that there is an occupational risk of contracting these cancers and requires that Workman’s Compensation would cover the cancers if they occur. The cancers which are covered by this law are leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, cancers originating in the gastrointestinal tract, bladder, brain, colon, liver, pancreas, skin or testicles. One cancer in particular that is not covered is lung cancer. The coverage is based on various research studies showing an increased incidence of certain cancers in firefighters above the general public. Lung cancer rates in firefighters are not increased over the public.
Firefighters are exposed to many carcinogens during their work. Particulates, gasses, mists and fumes
exist at the fire scene. Heavy metal exposure from metals such as lead, antimony, and cadmium can occur. Many chemicals are the byproducts of combustion and contain polyaromatic hydrocarbons formaldehydes, benzene, and other carcinogens. Minerals such as asbestos and silicates are also known to promote carcinogenesis.
The law is specific about the firefighters
which are covered. All firefighters should undergo an initial cancer screening within two years of the day the law was enacted. The deadline is July, 1, 2009. All firefighters are covered after 5 years of service on the department. All firefighters are covered for 10 years after their retirement, or the last fire attended, as long as their age is less than 65 years old. Newly hired firefighters should undergo a cancer screening at the time of their hiring. Most importantly, to be eligible, a firefighter should abstain from tobacco products for 10 years.
The cancer screening for each firefighter is based on the American Cancer Society’s routine cancer screening guidelines. For males, under the age of 45, a routine physical exam with attention to the head and neck region, lymph nodes, abdomen, testicles, as well as other routinely examined organ systems is sufficient. Over 45 years old, consideration of a PSA and digital rectal exam added to the routine exam, should be done, especially if there is a family history of prostate cancer. Above 50 years old, colonoscopy, rectal exam and PSA should be done. Women in the fire service should also have mammography and gynecologic exams with PAP smears as directed by their physicians based on screening guidelines. Most firefighters will have had most, if not all of these tests done by their physicians as part of routine health maintenance.
Firefighters should continue
routine cancer screening as recommended in the future. A firefighter should have their physician document that there is no evidence of malignancy based on the routine screening exam. The firefighter should keep this document in their possession; their physician should also keep a copy of this document in their medical file.
The public can minimize their risk of cancer by maintaining a normal weight, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, limiting their exposure to the sun and UV light, avoiding excess alcohol, and abstaining f rom tobacco products.
A firefighter should practice preventative measures to avoid undue risk of cancer. They should abstain from all tobacco products. They should use their portable breathing apparatus at the fire scene. You should use your turnout gear at the scene, and keep it clean of soot and debris. The firefighter should wash any exposed skin as soon after the fire as possible. Exposure to truck exhaust, especially diesel exhaust should be minimized as much as possible.
In summary, the Firefighter
Protection Act of 2007 is written to help protect you and your loved ones, should a covered cancer develop. You must , however , document your cancer screening before July 1, 2009, and you must abstain from tobacco products to take advantage of this legislation. Forms to assist you in this documentation are available for download by clicking below:
