Source: International Association of Fire Fighters
CHICAGO -- The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), meeting
at convention in Chicago, is expected to pass a resolution today calling
on fire departments across the nation to adopt comprehensive infectious
disease prevention programs.
The IAFF is also expected to call on its
240,000 members to mobilize to seek federal, state, and local
legislation to cope with the problem.
Citing problems in Philadelphia where testing has found that an
abnormally high number of city fire fighters have been diagnosed with
Hepatitis C, the IAFF believes it is crucial that to help fire fighters
and paramedics cope with the risks associated with occupational
exposures to Hepatitis C and other dangerous bloodborne diseases.
"Today, many fire fighters are marching in Philadelphia to call
attention to this serious -- and deadly -- occupational disease, and later
today our nation’s fire fighters will officially go on record to call
attention to the fact that many fire and EMS departments are ignoring
the problem," said George Casey, president of Philadelphia Fire Fighters
Local 22.
Casey spearheaded the drive to call attention to the Hepatitis C
exposures among Philadelphia fire fighters, and he has worked with the
IAFF and other local fire fighters across the country to raise awareness
of the problem.
"Fire fighters are dying of this deadly disease in Philadelphia and in
other cities across the country," Casey said. "We can’t allow this to
continue," he told more than 2,200 union fire fighters at the IAFF
convention this morning.
The IAFF, whose members protect more than 85 percent of the lives and
property across the United States has adopted an aggressive program to
educate fire fighters and EMS personnel about the deadly danger of
Hepatitis C, and convince fire departments to adopt comprehensive
infectious disease testing and prevention programs that include medical
evaluation, in-person counseling, and treatment.
"Cities must bear the cost of treating fire fighters who contract this
deadly disease on the job," Casey said.
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