Dangers of Cancers in the Fire Service

     The Warwick Fire Department (WFD) reports that for the week ending on Sun., Feb. 23, they responded to 48 calls for service to date for the year including mutual aid fire calls to the Pine Island Fire District during the week.

     On Mon., Feb. 17, fire companies held weekly apparatus and buildings checks to ensure fire apparatus and fire stations are in working order. On Tues., Feb. 18, the WFD held their regularly scheduled monthly Fire District meeting at Warwick Station #1.

     On Wed., Feb. 19, the WFD hosted the four Warwick Battalion #6 Fire Departments from Florida, Greenwood Lake, Pine Island, and Warwick at Warwick Station #3.  The chiefs, officers and members were given a lecture provided by Chief Vini Tankasali, of the Orange County Fire Coordinators Office, on the dangers of cancers in the fire service.

     The instructor was Michael Gormley, an RN from Mount Sinai, who provided everyone with a thorough and poignant lecture about the New York State Fire services statewide effort to help protect firefighters and their families from the threat of cancer. Studies have shown firefighters are experiencing cancer at higher rates than the general public, largely due to their exposure to an increased level of toxins found in smoke at structure and other fires.

     Officials demonstrated some basic protocols for decontaminating firefighting gear to help reduce exposure to toxins.  Throughout the next year, State Fire specialists will travel across the state to bring these protocols directly to firefighters in educational sessions at local fire departments.

     At each session, firefighters will view a live demonstration of the new decontamination protocols, a new educational video that details the protocols and the risks facing firefighters and have an opportunity to ask state experts any questions they may have. Additionally, the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control is expanding all firefighting classes and trainings it delivers by now including a section on cancer awareness and prevention education.

     Also on Feb. 19, the Raymond Hose Company held an operational drill at Warwick Station 4.

Firefighters Needed

     Firefighters are needed. Those 16 years of age or older may apply. For more information, send an email to   warwickfire150@gmail.com, call 986-3473 or stop by any neighborhood firehouse.