Three new initiatives by the North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Alliance hope to raise cancer awareness and provide support for firefighters and departments that receive a cancer diagnosis.
The new programs are being rolled out this week at the North Carolina Mid-winter Chiefs’ Conference in Concord.
NEW GRANT HELPS FIRE DEPARTMENTS WITH CANCER SCREENING
Several western N.C. fire departments are being honored with the creation of the Blue Ridge Firefighter Wellness Grant.
“The fire service is a brotherhood,” said Concord Fire Marshal and NCFCA Director Travis McGaha. “When one firefighter suffers, we all suffer. Seeing our brothers and sisters in the mountains hurting spurred us to create this fund in their honor."
Since 2018, four active-duty firefighters in Asheville have died of occupational cancer. The Asheville Fire Department has also lost several firefighters who died early into their retirement from occupational cancer.
The Blue Ridge Firefighter Wellness grant honors western regional line-of-duty deaths, but all departments in the state will be eligible to apply to offset the costs of cancer-screening programs.
A civilian expert panel will review all grant requests to ensure objectivity. Details on how to apply for the grant or specific efforts funded will be listed on the North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Alliance website.
To raise awareness and funds for the grant this spring, a current Asheville firefighter will be running 24 hours non-stop. Firefighters from across the state will join him to honor their own departmental losses. Details will be released in the coming months.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR FIREFIGHTERS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER
The Alliance has also formed a new partnership with the First Responder Peer Support Network (FRPSN) to give North Carolina firefighters access to qualified peer support personnel who have had personal experience with cancer.
Firefighters and their families can access certified professionals 24 hours a day through the FRPSN crisis hotline.
RESOURCE INFORMATION TOOLKIT (RIT)
Finally, the Alliance has created a new "RIT Pack" thumb drive, full of resources for those who receive a cancer diagnosis and their families.
"The first 24 hours after a cancer diagnosis can feel like a hurricane, where a firefighter's brain spins with questions about what to do next," McGaha said. "We have cancer survivors on our board who told us exactly what a firefighter needs to know immediately upon hearing the words, 'You have cancer.'"
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Information included in the RIT packs will explain how to apply for the state's supplemental insurance benefits program, as well as emotional support resources.
The NCFCA website offers a great deal of information on how to prevent firefighter cancer. You can also find information on their Facebook page.