The IAFF Podcast

Cancer Resources for Fire Fighters

Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)’s Chief Operations Officer Joe Schumacher and the American Cancer Society (ACS) Senior Director of Field Corporate Strategy and Operations Kim Bruna highlight the cancer resources available for fire fighters through their partnerships with the IAFF. They highlight online resources, hotlines, and support services both organizations offer, and how those who are diagnosed with cancer or know someone who is diagnosed can access those resources.

PFAS Concerns

Jason Burns (Fall River, MA Local 1314) and IAFF Chief Science Advisor Derek Urwin (Los Angeles County, CA Local 1014) discuss per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a class of toxic chemicals fire fighters are exposed to. They highlight the concerns for fire fighters and the impact on departments.

Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic (FACE) Teams

Sam Eaton (Palm Beach County, FL Local 2928 [retired]) and Chris Bator (Metro-Broward, FL Local 3080) from the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative discuss how cancer in the fire service has impacted their departments and how this led to the creation of Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic “FACE” Teams.

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)’s Russ Osgood and DetecTogether’s Heather Maykel discuss how fire fighters can be their own advocate and how they can detect cancer earlier by utilizing the DetecTogether program. Russ and Heather explain some of the educational components of the training and tools to advocate for additional screenings.

Research Drives Culture Change

Dr. Sara Janke and Bryan Frieders (FCSN) discuss issues female fire fighters face, behavioral health, stress, and relevant research that demonstrates the need for culture changes in the fire service to reduce occupational cancer.

Turning a Cancer Diagnosis Into Support for Others

Dan King, a cancer survivor and FCSN mentor, joins us to discuss his diagnosis and treatment and how his experiences and lessons learned led him to become an FCSN mentor.

Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study

Dr. Jeff Burgess and IAFF Director Derek Urwin discuss the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study, diving into the purpose of the study and what they see as the next steps.

What Is Cancer Insurance?

The IAFF Financial Corporation COO Kurt Becker and Director of Insurance Sara McMullin discuss what the IAFF Financial Corporation is, how it benefits members, and what services are available, including the new cancer supplemental insurance options.

Cancer Goes Beyond the Fire Station

Chrystal Woodcock and Captain Shawn Griffin discuss losing a husband and best friend to occupational cancer, including the impact losing a loved one has on a family and department support during a cancer diagnosis.

The Story of the West Virginia Mine Wars

Sponsored by the IAFF Financial Corporation | www.iaff-fc.com

 

In the early 1900’s in the coal fields of southern West Virginia, miners faced desperate circumstances. Below ground they withstood some of the worst working conditions in America. Above ground they dealt with brutal mine guards and a mine guard system that controlled the politics and economy of the region. Very few people know of the struggle that took place in these mountains, in this place, and the rights that miners fought for between 1900 and 1921. 

Mark and Doug sit down with Lou Martin, Secretary of the Board for the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, and Dave Coker, IAFF Strategic Organizer and Greensboro NC Local 947 president, to tell the story of what these miners went through, how it correlates to today's labor movement and a special fundraiser Dave is hosting to get the word out about this not so well known time in American history.

 

Visit the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum Website

 

Dave's Fundraiser