Savannah Standard

Chatham County issued the following announcement on Jan. 13.

Did you know that January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month? How are you planning to promote this within your fire departments?  

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and FCSN have partnered to designate January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. They would like you to know that occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters and suggest building your awareness on different fire cancer related topics each week.

• Week 1: Scope of Cancer in the Fire Service
• Week 2: Scientific Research Related to Occupational Cancer
• Week 3: Occupational Cancer Prevention
• Week 4: Survivorship, Leadership and Culture Change

The education presentations within Firefighter Cancer Support Network will provide you with five different training modules to assist you in building awareness on the topics above.

2021 Incentive Winners

ACCG and GMA have been providing firefighter cancer coverage since 2018. They currently insure over 300 fire departments (118 ACCG, 188 GMA) and 16,000 firefighters (9,200 ACCG, 6,900 GMA) across the State of Georgia. This coverage provides benefits for critical illness, long-term disability, survivors, family care credit, workplace modifications, and travel assistance.

In 2021, LGRMS developed an incentive program to encourage member fire departments to develop a specific cancer reduction SOP/policy and show proof of implementation.  

Everyone that applied for the program is a winner, as they are on the journey to reduce the risks of firefighter cancer. The winners of up to $5,000 reimbursement for the purchase of equipment that will assist in the reduction of firefighter cancer risks:

The ACCG Winner

Troup County Fire Department

Chief Michael Strickland

Name/Brand of Washer Extractor Purchased: TBD

The GMA Winner

Kingsland Fire Rescue

Chief Terry Smith and Captain Charles Roney

Name/Brand of Washer Extractor Purchased: New Ready Rack Bunker Gear Washer

2022 Firefighter Cancer Awareness Action Plan

LGRMS is working with Lt. David Bullard, GSFA President and NVFC State Director, and Michele Ice, FCSN Georgia State Director, to develop and implement the 2022 Firefighter Cancer Awareness Action Plan. Our focus this year will be on rolling out a train-the-trainer program for the course Taking Action Against Firefighter Cancers.

This course is about two hours and covers all aspects of firefighter cancer risks and controls. Attendees will be provided lesson plans, PowerPoints, and all needed training materials required to train their agencies. LGRMS will schedule these train-the-trainer courses at multiple locations across the State of Georgia. Dates, times, and locations will be communicated within February of 2022.   

LGRMS will continue to use an incentive program to encourage the awareness of hazards and controls surrounding firefighter cancer across the State of Georgia. Thus, we will award two fire departments up to $5,000 in reimbursement, toward the purchase of equipment that will assist in the reduction of firefighter cancer risks (e.g. washer extractor, ventilation equipment, etc.).

Eligibility Requirements

1. The fire department must be a member of GMA’s or ACCG’s Firefighters’ Cancer Benefit Program.
2. Complete the application.
3. The fire department must have at least one person attend the Taking Action Against Firefighter Cancers train-the-trainer course.
4. Show proof of training documentation – Training must be completed for at least 80% of the department’s firefighters (based on insured population).
5. Application must be submitted by October 31, 2022. Your application should be submitted electronically to Dan Beck of LGRMS at dbeck@lgrms.com.

Original source can be found here.