Also: Philly Bravest Fight CDC Report
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
IAFF Local 22: Philadelphia
There will be a massive "Hepatitis C Awareness March" and rally hosted
by Local 22, the City Firefighters Association at our Union Hall located at
5th and Willow Streets in Philadelphia, Pa. on August 3, 2000. Firefighters,
Paramedics and other emergency workers representing the Fire Departments and
Ambulance Corps from all along the East coast will start gathering here at
9:00am.
The march will kick off at 12:00 noon and proceed to the Liberty
Bell at 5th and Market Streets.
Speeches shall be delivered at that location
by Dr. Rothstein of the American Liver Foundation, Barbara Hafer, State
Treasurer of Pennsylvania, Congressman Robert Brady, Maria Terpolilli, ESq.,
as well as several Philadelphia Fire Department Hepatitis C victims. We
shall return to our Union hall accompanied by the Police and Fire Pipe and
Drum Band at approximately 1:30pm. A luncheon will be provided by Local 22.
Members of the press are welcome to attend. The purpose of this
demonstration is to focus public attention on the deadly "Hepatitis C
Epidemic" and the threat that it poses to the life and health of those who
work in the fire service and related fields. We are gathered here in support
of the 140 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department who have contracted
Hepatitis C while in the performance of their duties.
Only half of
Philadelphia's Firefighters and Paramedics have been tested; we expect the
number of infected personnel to be actually much higher. The Philadelphia
Fire Department is sounding the alarm on the "Silent Epidemic." Deaths
attributed to the complications associated to the Hepatitis C virus are
expected to exceed those attributed to HIV, (AIDS) within the next few years.
Local 22 believes this serious threat to our health is a problem that is
affecting all Fire departments and Emergency care workers throughout the
entire United States.
We believe that we are just at the tip of the iceberg.
Currently, it is believed that over four million Americans are infected
with this disease. The primary route off Hepatitis C transmission is through
direct exposure to the blood of infected individuals.
Everytime a
Firefighter or Paramedic responds to the scene of an accident, a fire, or any
other emergency where infected blood or blood by-products may be contacted,
there is a risk. Accidental needle sticks are also considered a job-related
hazard associated with the spread of Hepatitis C.
Through a voluntary
testing program provided by Home Access Health Corporation, it was revealed
that 6.8% of our members tested positive for Hepatitis C, a rate that is 300%
greater than the National average of 1.8% Hepatitis C may lie undetected
within its victim for years or even decades without any recognizable symptoms
and then suddenly present itself as chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) or even
cancer.
On September 18, 1998, Paramedic Marty Hatcher died of liver failure
attributed to Hepatitis C. Recently, two Philadelphia Firefighters received
liver transplants due to chronic liver disease and Hepatitis C. These men
and Marty Hatcher's widow Geneva Hatcher, had to fight for in line-of-duty
status for their illness in workman's compensation court.
They not only
fought for their lives with this disease but also with the City of
Philadelphia for their good names and reputation. They had no other risk
factors other than the frequency of exposure to blood while performing their
duties as members of the Philadelphia Fire Department.
It is our ultimate
goal as a Union of Professional Firefighters to have IN-LINE-OF-DUTY status
given to this deadly disease.
The government must recognize what Firefighters and Paramedics have
sacrificed and accept responsibility for those of us who are suffering.
Contact: Stephen Hess, or Charles Sgrillo at Local 22: (215)
440-4411, (215) 728-6242, (215) 440-4400
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