by-product

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

Recently Fire Engineering Editor and Chief David Rhodes went on record regarding the use of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) in firefighter training. While we respect the opinion of Chief Rhodes, the article left us wondering where is he getting his information from? What studies had he used to develop his position... and why weren't the studies he used shared with his readers so they could be better educated?

Having such a large platform like Fire Engineering does is a great resource that can be used to infom/educate the fire service. With this platform comes great responsibility. One must make sure the information that is put out is factual, especially when it comes to the Health and Safety of the members of the fire service. Anything less can create confusion and distrust.

Case in point, a retired Chief officer from a rural department in Virginia read the below article and is now calling for Virginia to reverse its ban on OSB in firefighter training. While we are sure the Chief has good intentions he is sadly misinformed.

Share your thoughts on this topic and let's have an educated conversation.

To OSB or Not to OSB? - Training Fires - Editor's Opinion Is oriented strand board really creating more exposure hazards than other material that firefighters use as training fire loads?

If your department is still burning OSB in fire training you are needlessly exposing your firefighters to several elevated carcinogens.

Will the NFPA 1403 technical committee correct the past and ban the use of OSB in live fire training? Stay tuned as they will be meeting in Florida in early February.

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/fire-protection-research-foundation/projects-and-reports/investigation-of-turnout-clothing-contamination-and-validation-of-cleaning-procedures?fbclid=IwAR21O83g9aFpz8c7_53Ia_5zmme_1QOUKke1cHybhfleCL_UuN12XxmvIC4

Earlier this week Maryland took a big step to protect firefighters from the toxic by-products of burning oriented strand board (OSB) in firefighter training. This is a great example of using NIOSH's hierarchy of controls to eliminate a known toxic exposure.

Per NIOSH "Elimination removes the hazard at the source. This could include changing the work process to stop using a toxic chemical, heavy object, or sharp tool. It is the preferred solution to protect workers because no exposure can occur."

Maryland has effectively eliminated a known health risk to firefighters through legislation and other states should follow their lead! Firefighters in Maryland will still receive high quality training just with a less toxic material, which also follows the NIOSH hierarchy of controls.

Strog work Maryland!

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY!!!

This month's Fire Engineering magazine cover shows a picture of a Chief Officer talking with
crews after a MAYDAY was resolved. Undoubtedly, this was a high-stress event that every
firefighter hopes they never find themselves in.

The same, though, can be said about Occupational Cancer. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a
high-stress event that every firefighter hopes they never find themselves in. But the fact still
remains that more firefighters will die from occupational cancer than a MAYDAY event.
Knowing this, how are we, the fire service members, training for the deadliest threat we face,
occupational cancer?

We know training is the key to preventing a MAYDAY event. Again, preventing the dominoes
from lining up is our best defense against a MAYDAY. Part of that prevention strategy is to have
an incident command structure guided by established policies, procedures, and behaviors to
prevent the MAYDAY – removing the dominoes. The same should be valid for preventing and
responding to a member with occupational cancer! Unfortunately, many departments are
unprepared for this type of MAYDAY or do not understand how to manage the stacking of the
cancer dominoes. So, ask yourself:

1. Does your department have policies in place to prevent or reduce occupational exposures?
** Policies are only as good as the paper they are written on. Educating our members on the why
and the how is the responsibility of our frontline leaders. **

2. Does your department provide regular firefighter cancer awareness training? If not, then ask
why.

3. Does your department have a policy/manual for your members to reference regarding the
resources available as they go through diagnosis, treatment, workers comp claims processing,
and the behavioral health resources available should a member be diagnosed with occupational
cancer?

CHANGING THE CULTURE

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room—the culture change that all of us are responsible
for and how leadership is crucial in preventing and reducing our cancer risk.

"Extinguishing Firefighter Cancer " is the top priority of the IAFF (as it should be), and
President Ed Kelly hasn't backed down from this fight. The IAFF has established the science and
research division, hired a chief medical officer, established funding for firefighter cancer
research, and partnered with the American Cancer Society and the Firefighter Cancer Support
Network. The words and actions of President Kelly match, and these are just a few of the
initiatives taking place within the IAFF.

Now entering the cancer battle is Fire Chief John Butler from IAFC. Chief Butler has also stated
that firefighter cancer is one of his top priorities. As the newly appointed president of the IAFC his plan to tackle the greatest threst to firefighters is yet to be determined. But it does appear labor
and management are poised for yet another common fight.

Thinking that the IAFF and IAFC can change the culture of the fire service alone is naïve at best.
It's going to take a collective effort from all stakeholders. This includes training institutions,
social media influencers, those speaking on the circuit, and trade magazines like Fire Engineering. Finally, in this fight are the firefighters who must endure the effects of occupational cancer.

Do we all have a responsibility to help change the fire service culture? Absolutely. Organizations
must have the courage to take a stand and ensure that their words and actions match and affect
change. The content shared in our trade journals must set the standard and portray a modern-day
cancer prevention mindset, as opposed to a legacy culture that turns a blind eye to the obvious.
Those on social media and on the speaking circuit have a responsibility to ensure that consistent
cancer prevention messaging aligns with that of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and
other organizations on the front lines. We all have a responsibility, ownership and directly
contribute to the fire service culture – both good and bad.

Maryland SB0256 was signed into law and now prohibits the setting on fire or burning of oriented strand board (OSB) for certain fire-fighting training.
This new law follows Virginia's ban in 2021 making Maryland the second state to outlaw the use of OSB in firefighter training due to the unnecessary toxic exposure to firefighters. The law will go into effect as of October 1, 2023.

Forest fires and brush fires expose firefighters to products of combustion by inhalation and dermal absorption. Many times it's not practical for firefighters to use SCBAs due to the duration of the event or the remote nature of the fire.

While the use of N95s offer some protection from particulate matter they do not protect against fire gases or smaller particles.

As more fires are happening in the Wildland Urban Interface it critical that we budget and equip the members of the fire service with the appropriate PPE for their mission.

Read more about respiratory protection for wildland firefighting in the link below.

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/saver/respiratory-protection-wildland-firefighting

NIST has released it's report on PFAS in Firefighter PPE (See link below)

While this information is helpful and further validates alot of what we already new, it does not identify the material manufacturers. Without the corresponding manufacturer information we are still blindly making decisions when designing and purchasing PPE.

Let's be clear though. NO level of PFAS should be acceptable or allowed in firefighter PPE!

Researchers Pin Down PFAS Prevalence in Firefighter Gear The findings hint at potential solutions for safer equipment.

Changing the culture of the fire service is no easy task! When it comes to changing the culture regarding firefighter cancer you would think this would be easy. Im here to tell you its going to take a small army to make the changes (cultural) necessary to reduce or "Extinguish" cancer in the fire service.

The article below is a perfect example of one of the many challenges we have to overcome as a industry. If we are going to start to reduce firefighter cancer we have to start somewhere! Appropriate use of our PPE is an easy no brainer! We know our gear is loaded with a cancer causing toxin( PFAS) so our exposures ( in this instance) is somewhat controllable.

Let's start wearing our structural PPE when and where its intended . The "cancer pants " don't need to be worn in the grocery store or medical calls. Let's eliminate the unnecessary exposures.

Who's using liquid CO2 for their PPE cleaning? Anyone looking at making the switch? We are always looking for ways to reduce exposures for the members of the fire service. Share your thoughts about liquid CO2 PPE cleaning in the comments.

Pasco County Florida's Decon 1 unit is leading the way with their "Clean on Scene " program! We are looking forward to seeing the changes they have made with their new purpose built Decon unit.

Decon 1 Anniversary Today is a big day here at Pasco County Fire Rescue, and it's all focused on keeping our firefighters healthy.We broke ground on Station 9 which features our...

The IAFF has taken legal action against the NFPA regarding the mandate of a UV light test on the moisture barrier . Per the article the UV light test makes it so only PFAS can be used to meet the standard.

IAFF Files Suit to Halt Toxic Turnout Gear Testing Standard - News The union filed a lawsuit today against the NFPA for its role in imposing a testing standard that effectively requires the use of carcinogens in firefighter protective gear.

All of these incidents should be considered a high risk event, each for obvious different reasons.

The one thing that should be the same for all of these events is the health and safety of the people that responded.

Control measures should be take to prevent/ reduce exposures during the incident and post incident.

Due to the potential for long term health effects a medical surveillance plan maybe warranted.

The fight against firefighter occupational cancer doesn't stop at the end of January!

Thanks to Dr. Derek Urwin for all the work he is doing to help extinguish firefighter cancer. Research is the key to winning this fight!

KCAL News: LAFD and LACoFD on Firefighter Cancer Awareness | January 28, 2023 LOS ANGELES - Our friends at KCAL News were kind enough to invite Los Angeles Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Chavez and Los Angeles County Fire...

As the 2023 Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month campaign comes to an end we wanted to remind everyone that the mission to Extinguishing Firefighter Cancer doesn't stop here!

With that said checkout this short video on firefighter hood selection.

** This is not an endorsement of any specific product.**

https://youtu.be/dxCt9ZbWoe8

It's not a question anymore of if wearing full PPE, going through Decon, bagging contaminated gear and taking a shower with in the hour works. It's scientifically proven!

" Interventions included use of self-contained breathing apparatus by engineers, entry team wash down, contaminated equipment isolation, and personnel showering and washing of gear upon return to station."

"Fireground interventions significantly reduced mean total urinary postfire PAH-OHs in engineers (-40.4%, 95%CI -63.9%, -2.3%) and firefighters (-36.2%, 95%CI -56.7%, -6.0%)"

Read more here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31977921/

Today by-products very own Jason Beatty was awarded the Don Smith award from the Fairfax County Employee Advisory Council. Jason received this award due to the work he has done producing the by-product videos.
Through by-product Jason tells the story of firefighters battling occupational cancer. These videos have helped raise awareness about firefighter cancer and is also helping change the culture of the fire service!
Please join us in congregating Jason on this prestigious award!

It only works if its hooked up... Reducing our exposures is everyone's responsibility.

Not all hoods are created equal....Do you know the difference between these hoods ? Which one are you using and why?

Firefighters are at an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer when compared to the general population.

Below are a few studies looking at how exposure to PAH'S and other EDC toxins can lead to thyroid cancer.

One of the studies is specific to firefighters while the others look at the general populations exposures.

We already know firefighters are exposed to these toxins at a higher rate, so these studies are pertinent to firefighters.

Links to the studies below:

Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and thyroid function among males and females: data from NHANES 2007–2008: International Journal of Environmental Health Research: Vol 26, No 4
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09603123.2015.1135311?scroll=top&needAccess=truethe course

Relationship between urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma and nodular goiter: A case-control study in non-occupational populations - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749120368470

firefighters, a male-dominated occupation with high exposures to EDCs, and more likely to be diagnosed in younger age groups."
https://bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12902-022-01104-5

Firefighters are at higher risk of PFAS exposure due to the chemicals they are exposed to in their protective gear, firefighting foam and household products burning that contain PFAS

A recent study out of Australia showed firefighters with high PFAS levels who gave blood regularly saw a 10% decrease in their levels after a year and those who gave plasma – the clear part of the blood – dropped 30%.

Dr. Jeff Burgess a Professor at the University of Arizona and the Director of the Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study said the Arizona study aims to validate the Australian study and take it a step further by also measuring firefighters for “biomarkers of toxicity.”

Read.more about this existing research in thrblink below.

AZ firefighters pioneer ‘forever chemical’ treatment Donating blood can save lives, but in the future, doctors may also prescribe rolling up a sleeve and exposing a vein for the health of certain donors.

Understanding how firefighter exposures to PAH'S increases their risk of developing occupational cancer is a important step in reducing Firefighter Cancer.

This month we will be sharing research papers, risk reduction measures you can implement along with educational videos. All this is being shared in an effort to reduce occupational cancer in the fire service.

Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Elevated Cancer Incidence in Firefighters - Scientific Reports Cancer incidence appears to be higher amongst firefighters compared to the general population. Given that many cancers have an environmental component, their occupational exposure to products of carbon combustion such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is of concern. This is the first UK stu...

We must always follow the research being done on firefighter cancer along with cancer detection and treatment. There's some very interesting research being done and below is just one example.

"The MACHETE acronym stands for Molecular Alteration of Chromosomes with Engineered Tandem Elements. It’s a new way of slicing out significant targeted sections of genetic code to mirror changes that arise in cancer and other human diseases."

"Many people think of mutations in cancer as small “typos” in the genetic code that affect the activity of a single gene — either turning it on or shutting it off. And for decades, researchers, too, have primarily focused on these tiny errors that drive many types of cancer."

New MACHETE Technique Slices Into Cancer Genome To Study Copy Number Alterations Learn why MSK researchers developed MACHETE, a new CRISPR-based technique to study large-scale genetic deletions efficiently in laboratory models.

Episode 4 of by-product
George Moore

" If I could change"

What changes do you need to make to prevent occupational cancer??

Please help spread awareness by sharing our videos!

If I could change... George Moore has over 30 years in the fire service. He was the rescue driver on B-shift at station 19. Music licesend by: Epidemic Sound1st Song ...

The by-product team would like to thank all the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Your selfless service and dedication to this amazing country will never go unrecognized.

Episode 4 of by-product will be released early next week!

If you haven't seen Episode 3 yet click the link below.

https://youtu.be/MfON9_Iy9fs

We must continue to follow the research being done that impact the members of the fire service. Recently we were made aware of the work being done at NIST to better understand PFAS in our PPE . Want to know more about this research? Click the link below to learn more.

https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/public-health-risks-first-responders