On behalf of the Tulare County Firefighters, we send our deepest condolences to the Perez Family.COVID-19 Claims Life of LAFD Firefighter
LOS ANGELES –
It is with profound sadness that the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) announces the death of Firefighter III/Paramedic Jose M. Perez, who passed away at a local hospital from complications of COVID-19 on Saturday, July 25, 2020.
Firefighter/Paramedic Perez had been with the Department for 16-and-a-half years. He was 44 years old. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas and the entire Department send their deepest and most sincere condolences to the Perez family.
The “Big C”...
Episode 47 is live with Dr. Kathleen Navarro...
Dr. Kathleen Navarro is a research industrial hygienist at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Her research focuses on characterizing firefighter’s exposure to chemicals from smoke, understand pathways of exposures, and developing practices to reduce exposure. Previously, she worked for the US Forest Service and conducted research quantifying exposure to smoke for the public and wildland firefighters and estimating risk of mortality for lung cancer and cardiovascular disease for wildland firefighters. To complete her research, she became qualified as a wildland firefighter and spent last fire season as a crewmember on the Redmond Hotshots.
Her work can be found here:
Risk assessment study - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30981117/
Summary of results: Across all exposure scenarios and career durations, the calculated risk for LC and CVD was greater than one, indicating an increased risk of mortality from LC and CVD from PM. Here are interpretations of the risk estimates that were calculated:
Firefighters working a short fire season (48 days) for 5 years have an 8% increase in risk of LC and 16% increase in risk of CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) mortality.
Firefighters working a long fire season for 25 years have an 43% increase in risk of LC and 30% increase in risk of CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) mortality
Oh, how could I forget? All this particulate matter and smoke has a HUGE impact on susceptibility and severity to COVID. Check out the following guidance from the CDC:
These are being updated with a smoke question - www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/wildland-firefighters-faq.html
Here is a new link for the FMB guidance regarding COVID from the NWCG - www.nwcg.gov/partners/fmb/covid-19#PM
Additional resources:
To better understand the link between on-the-job exposure to toxicants and cancer, Congress directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)external icon to create the National Firefighter Registry (NFR).
The NFR will be used to track and analyze cancer trends and risk factors among the U.S. fire service to help the public safety community, researchers, scientists and medical professionals find better ways to protect those who protect our communities and environment.
All firefighters—structural and wildland, career and volunteer, active and retired—should consider participating in the NFR. This includes firefighters who have never received a cancer diagnosis, previously had cancer, or currently have cancer. Follow the link below to register:
NIOSH Firefighter Cancer Registry: www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/registry.html
Here are some other useful links:
Explanation of Hierarchy of Controls: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gqTbJSQL_U
NIOSH Instagram: @Nioshusa
CDC Instagram: @CDC
Episode 47 is live! You can listen on all your favorite podcast player apps like; Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Luminary, and on our website at anchorpointpodcast.com...
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Here is a formal update from IAFF Leadership on the ground at the scene of the Navy Ship, USS Bonhomme Richard fire.
Please keep the protectors of our military communities in your thoughts. Tremendous job by Federal Firefighters and the surrounding jurisdictions.
Leadership,
This morning, I spoke to President Ian Piccolo from SD Federal Local F-33. This is the most up to date Sit Report given the fact that: ALL F-33 personnel (including e-board) is either actively on the fireground or actively resting in station, and the fact that it IS a federal instillation and they closely guard info getting out.
Sunday morning 12 June 2020, a fire broke out on the USS Bonhomme Richard. Members of Local F-33 were first on scene, and the incident quickly became a three- alarm incident. Surrounding municipal agencies from San Diego City Local 145, Chula Vista Local 2180 and National City Local 2744 assisted in the fire efforts. Navy SW Region sent resources from Miramar Local F-289, Pendleton Local F-85, Fed Fire Seal Beach, Fed Fire Ventura, and Nassco Fire.
A Unified Command was established and crews rotated in and out utilizing civilian firefighters and shipboard (active military) firefighters. Extreme fire conditions were encountered inside the ship, and fire attack had to be slow and methodical. There were several injuries, but they were all minor in nature. It is understood that no firefighting foam was utilized. Additional resources from Navy South-West Region were sent to San Diego this morning.
Shipboard fires are an extremely unique scenario with many special hazards to firefighters. The fuels, paints, and components that make up a naval vessel add to the hazards they are facing under heavy heat and fire conditions. These scenarios are considered “low frequency-high hazard” incidents. Our federal brothers and sister are performing outstanding. We are grateful to our municipal brothers and sisters who answered to call to assist.
Photos on social media have given the impression that the fire is out, but this has NOT been confirmed. A portion of the ship has been put out, but there is still active fire towards the front of the vessel. A major hazard is the 1,000,000 gallons of fuel in the ship’s tanks. This is why crews are compelled to fight interior to avoid exposing those tanks to fire. There has been 100% accountability of all firefighter and naval personnel.
President Piccolo stated there are no needs from the union, and the men and women are in good spirits and doing “the job”.
IAFF and CPF leadership to include 16th DPV Jim Johnson, 10th DVP Frank Lima, CPF President Brian Rice, CPF 1st DVP Tim Strack, and myself, Charlie Martinez, should be extremely proud of the efforts and collaboration of resources to control an incident that could have resulted in the disastrous loss of life.
Today we remember the 19 Fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters who gave everything June 30th 2013. Please take a moment to remember these sons, fathers and firefighters.
Comment on Facebook Today we remember ...
Watched the movie about them. Incredible group of men.
The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.