IN MEMORIAM: "His name was "STAY LOW" DAN and he was my friend!"

HONORING NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS  POWERHOUSE MENTOR - By: Lennard Gettz (F.A.C.E.S.)

7/22/2024- Dan Noonan forever changed the optics of what it meant to be an advocate for the first responder.  He remains as one of my personal champions and a fire stoker in my public advocacy for cancer care.

I had the pleasure of co-producing "THE FIRE STILL BURNS" video documentary with Dan.  It was a spotlight on the 1975 NYT Tel Exchange Fire- an historical disaster that Dan turned into a n educational crusade and a commemoration for its 699 FDNY responders.  Dan and I spent countless hours filming and capturing his narration about the event.  He was so committed to re-tell and and re-live that dreaded fire for the benefit of anyone who fights fires with their own lives.  He uncovered and offered countless lessons from this fire - from topics of safety, prevention to getting proactive health checkups. 

After decades of advocating for the 699 firefighters who were trapped in the dark abyss and the killer smoke of the NY Telephone building fire, Dan finally got his commemoration for all those who perished and those remaining 'old timers' from the fire.  

If you have had the honor of hearing any of Dan’s presentations, he delivered nothing short of THUNDER from his voice, his heart and the souls of the many whose voice traveled with him.  The disaster of 1975 taught us all so much about the risks behind modern fires, but it remains a landmark for our research and education.  When I look at Dan Noonan’s towering figure, I see him as a beacon for us all - unwavering in his resolve and a guardian of a powerful vision, fulfilling a 43 year old promise to be the voice of so many who sacrificed without hesitation to protect our great city.   Dan continues to stand proudly and stand tall with the greatest unifying message of them all- to NEVER FORGET!

In the spirit of doing our part and making a difference, I proudly stood side by side with all members of the fire service, active and retired- including all advocates and foundations.  On behalf of the many firefighters health advocates and organizations, Dan remains our inspiration to responding to a call of need and doing all that we can for our community.

His name was "STAY LOW" DAN NOONAN and he was my friend!  

.......................................................................................................................................................................

REPRISED FROM 5/22/2022: 

From Small Firehouses to the FD Academy: A Landmark of Perseverance and A NEW DAY FOR "GET CHECKED NOW!" 

Seeing Dr. Robert Bard (F.A.C.E.S. Medical director) on that FDNY podium at the Fire Academy stoked a long awaited exhale of a dream come true from our many fellow advocates! Where DAN NOONAN's mission to bring honor to the 699 responders of the 1975 NY Tel Fire honored and finally commemorated in this day was a major touchdown! The patriarch of medical diagnostics joined Dan to speak to the national fire service community as 'a gradeful New Yorker", raising the awareness about the sacrifice of first responders of one of "NYC's first major cancer clusters" is an historical landmark for every FF safety advocate including our "Get Checked Now!" program. (see video)

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OP ED: Mitigating Skepticism - Vetting FREE Cancer Screening Programs

 By: "Cousin Sal" Banchitta, Ret FF FDNY

If the term "Occupational Cancers" is not in our modern dictionary just yet, it's certainly a concept that is all around us lately. As a retired firefighter, more and more of my friends are (lately) coming up with diagnoses that could only have come from the job. To prove it is the first hurdle and to face the cancer clinically is the next. That means affording the treatments and shaping your life for the battle ahead. Recently, I was invited to a Skin Cancer Screening at the Fire Academy in Randall's Island. It was a joint venture between the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the Firefighters Cancer Support Network (FCSN). It was clinically directed by Dr. Christine Kannler- a dermatologist from Massachusetts.

At first glance, this sounds like a great idea that's long-time coming. But as a New Yorker who's been burned enough times (no pun intended), we tend to wonder "what are they REALLY selling?" From experience, many health programs pitch to the fire service practically on a daily basis. Because firefighting is one of the most dangerous jobs, every marketing department of every insurance and pharmaceutical company knows this- and often looks to exploit this. After enough cleverly crafted sales pitches that turned out to be smoke and mirrors and incentivized come-ons, leaderships in the fire service (especially in New York) have become so SKEPTICAL when something comes at them as "FREE".

Captain Chris Conner of the Bedford (TX) Fire Dept. corroborated this with his own experiences with gene testing products and the many sales reps from safety equipment manufacturers. "Sales reps love to send us free samples to grab our attention hoping to get firefighters to give a testimonial about their products. Getting an endorsement from the fire department can be big $$ for these vendors, but this puts us at risk (liability-wise) by commercializing our department." 

But as it's turned out...

this skin screening event truly was a FREE exam for firefighters, and it was a great program that held significant value to the public! Its design was to save lives through early detection and it did just that! The back story to Dr. Kannler was that her own brother was a firefighter who passed away from cancer. Because of this, her strong connection to the service became relatable to everyone. Also, thanks to the partnership with the FCSN (an org run by active and retired service personnel), the program turned out to be a real "FOR firefighters, BY firefighters" project- earning the acceptance of a community that truly deserved the help and care that this screening offered.

Today, the AAD/FCSN Screening Program apparently is scheduled at over 40 other firehouses across the country. They proved themselves to be the 'good guys' in San Diego and New York City. To all the captains and chiefs and department heads out there, the message here is to "VET, not AUTO-REJECT". As the battle against cancer in the community continues, we need all the prevention and early detection we can get. 

There's good out there for our members and this story is truly one of them!

If you would like to learn more about the AAD/FCSN Screening Program or plan a skin cancer screening for your firehouse, please visit: Cancer Screening (firefightercancersupport.org)

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

SALVATORE BANCHITTA - After a profound 20+ year career in the NY Fire Department, "Cousin" Sal gave all at the fire service- including his last assignment as one of the first responders in Ground Zero (9/11). He considers the firefighter "the first and last line of defense to protect all the members of the community from any catastrophe". His next personal crusade past fire calls is to share his own experiences and his research on the many cancer cases found "from the job" to drive his bretheren to heed NYCRA's cancer prevention message of "Get Checked Now!" Sal continues to volunteer as a speaker in firehouses and FF meetings, contributing his unique presentation style and counseling approach known only as "FROM THE KITCHEN"- a parlance between firefighters. (See Cousin Sal's intro video)

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Improving the Hearing Health of First Responders

Resilience Toolbox interviewed Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D., the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of RestorEar Devices, who is a Professor at the University of Miami. We spoke about the challenges faced by first responders frequently exposed to high levels of noise on the job, and the tools available to support their hearing health. Dr. Rajguru's team created the first FDA-registered and research-backed hearing health device called ReBound by RestorEar, designed to minimize hearing damage after exposure to loud noises.

Dr Rajguru continues:

For several years, The University of Miami has been working through the Firefighter Cancer Initiative with fire departments across Florida, specifically several fire departments in South Florida. We started thinking about how we could take the partnership the University of Miami has built with the fire service to address the challenges of hearing loss and balance dysfunction that occurs in firefighters due to the noise exposure they get while performing their duties.

All of us should be concerned about hearing health. Hearing loss has been associated with neurocognitive decline and Alzheimer's dementia.  Given the nature of the jobs first responders perform, they are exposed to loud noises from alarms, engines, sirens, water pumps, chainsaws, etc.  This can be quite extreme and can create damage to the hearing organs in the inner ear very early on. Often those damages go undiagnosed and undetected and can have long-term hearing and health consequences. Given the critical nature of the jobs that firefighters and first responders perform, it’s important that we protect their hearing health early on because we want to help them have healthy long-term outcomes.

One of the challenges with hearing loss is protection versus prevention. We should protect our hearing when possible. We can wear ear plugs or over-the-ear devices to reduce and mitigate loud noises from affecting our inner ears and causing that initial damage or trauma. But we know there are challenges with that, especially in the first responder job, where situational awareness is key. Given the unique needs of first responders, hearing protection may only be feasible some of the time.

At RestorEar we started thinking about prevention: how do we prevent acute damages that are occurring as we get exposed on the job? How does that lead to the prevention of long-term health consequences?

We all know whenever we have an injury, the first thing we do is apply ice to reduce inflammation and provide a little bit of cooling. How do we provide that cooling for our hearing? This led us to build RestorEar based on decades of research about mild therapeutic hypothermia (cooling) to reduce the inflammation and damage associated with loud noise exposures.

Working collaboratively with first responders and the general community led us to think about how we can use this therapy. The moment after you’ve had noise exposure, RestorEar’s Rebound is designed to deliver mild hypothermia therapy to reduce the inflammation and hence prevent acute damage, which then helps with long-term damage and consequences.

The hearing and balance of first responders are priceless, however, their exposure to extremely noisy environments makes them susceptible to hearing loss and balance dysfunction. Fortunately, tools have been developed to combat these challenges. Our team is committed to protecting the hearing health of fire service members and first responders and is eager to collaborate with them.

Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology at the University of Miami and a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of RestorEar Devices, LLC. He completed his undergraduate studies in Mumbai, India prior to pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Utah. Suhrud's research foci are on the investigations of pathophysiology, the diagnosis and treatment of various hearing and balance disorders. An educator, scientist and entrepreneur, he is an author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and is a named inventor on issued and pending patent applications. His research is supported by the National Institutes of Health and industry partners and he is actively involved in the education and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students. He leads the University of Miami's I-Corps@NCATS program supported by NCATS. He is co-director of the Institute for Neural Engineering at the University of Miami and Director of the Workforce Development program at the Miami CTSI. Recently he was awarded the Merit Grant by Veterans Administration and he’s been appointed as a Health Research Scientist at Miami VA. https://restorear.com/

Step into the world of RESPONDER RESILIENCE, an insightful podcast that sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and law enforcement professionals. Hear firsthand accounts from our community's finest as they discuss critical issues on the job and share their experiences with hosts Lt. David Dachinger (ret.), Bonnie Rumilly LCSW/EMT and Dr. Stacy Raymond. Explore topics of mental and physical wellness with emergency services thought leaders, and get ready to be inspired and gain a deeper appreciation for their sacrifices and resilience.

Copyright Notice: The materials provided on this web-based article are copyrighted and the intellectual property of the publishers/producers (F.A.C.E.S.- Firefighters Against Cancer & Exposures, The NY Cancer Resource Alliance/IntermediaWorx inc. and The AngioFoundation). It is provided publicly strictly for informational purposes within non-commercial use and not for purposes of resale, distribution, public display or performance. Unless otherwise indicated on this web based page, sharing, re-posting, re-publishing of this work is strictly prohibited without due permission from the publishers.  Also, certain content may be licensed from third-parties. The licenses for some of this Content may contain additional terms. When such Content licenses contain additional terms, we will make these terms available to you on those pages (which his incorporated herein by reference).The publishers/producers of this site and its contents such as videos, graphics, text, and other materials published are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, please always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health provider. Do not postpone or disregard any professional medical advice over something you may have seen or read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.  This website does not support, endorse or recommend any specific products, tests, physicians, procedures, treatment opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Referencing any content or information seen or published in this website or shared by other visitors of this website is solely at your own risk. The publishers/producers of this Internet web site reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, disable access to, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, all or any part of this Internet web site or any information contained thereon without liability or notice to you.

OP ED: Mitigating Skepticism - Vetting FREE Cancer Screening Programs

By: "Cousin Sal" Banchitta, Ret FF FDNY

If the term "Occupational Cancers" is not in our modern dictionary just yet, it's certainly a concept that is all around us lately. As a retired firefighter, more and more of my friends are (lately) coming up with diagnoses that could only have come from the job. To prove it is the first hurdle and to face the cancer clinically is the next. That means affording the treatments and shaping your life for the battle ahead. Recently, I was invited to a Skin Cancer Screening at the Fire Academy in Randall's Island. It was a joint venture between the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the Firefighters Cancer Support Network (FCSN). It was clinically directed by Dr. Christine Kannler- a dermatologist from Massachusetts.

At first glance, this sounds like a great idea that's long-time coming. But as a New Yorker who's been burned enough times (no pun intended), we tend to wonder "what are they REALLY selling?" From experience, many health programs pitch to the fire service practically on a daily basis. Because firefighting is one of the most dangerous jobs, every marketing department of every insurance and pharmaceutical company knows this- and often looks to exploit this. After enough cleverly crafted sales pitches that turned out to be smoke and mirrors and incentivized come-ons, leaderships in the fire service (especially in New York) have become so SKEPTICAL when something comes at them as "FREE".

Captain Chris Conner of the Bedford (TX) Fire Dept. corroborated this with his own experiences with gene testing products and the many sales reps from safety equipment manufacturers. "Sales reps love to send us free samples to grab our attention hoping to get firefighters to give a testimonial about their products. Getting an endorsement from the fire department can be big $$ for these vendors, but this puts us at risk (liability-wise) by commercializing our department." 

But as it's turned out...

this skin screening event truly was a FREE exam for firefighters, and it was a great program that held significant value to the public! Its design was to save lives through early detection and it did just that! The back story to Dr. Kannler was that her own brother was a firefighter who passed away from cancer. Because of this, her strong connection to the service became relatable to everyone. Also, thanks to the partnership with the FCSN (an org run by active and retired service personnel), the program turned out to be a real "FOR firefighters, BY firefighters" project- earning the acceptance of a community that truly deserved the help and care that this screening offered.

Today, the AAD/FCSN Screening Program apparently is scheduled at over 40 other firehouses across the country. They proved themselves to be the 'good guys' in San Diego and New York City. To all the captains and chiefs and department heads out there, the message here is to "VET, not AUTO-REJECT". As the battle against cancer in the community continues, we need all the prevention and early detection we can get. 

There's good out there for our members and this story is truly one of them!

If you would like to learn more about the AAD/FCSN Screening Program or plan a skin cancer screening for your firehouse, please visit: Cancer Screening (firefightercancersupport.org)

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

SALVATORE BANCHITTA - After a profound 20+ year career in the NY Fire Department, "Cousin" Sal gave all at the fire service- including his last assignment as one of the first responders in Ground Zero (9/11). He considers the firefighter "the first and last line of defense to protect all the members of the community from any catastrophe". His next personal crusade past fire calls is to share his own experiences and his research on the many cancer cases found "from the job" to drive his bretheren to heed NYCRA's cancer prevention message of "Get Checked Now!" Sal continues to volunteer as a speaker in firehouses and FF meetings, contributing his unique presentation style and counseling approach known only as "FROM THE KITCHEN"- a parlance between firefighters. (See Cousin Sal's intro video)

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A WORD FROM THE GOVERNOR...

“Firefighters risk their lives and safety to protect their communities from danger. But the leading cause of death in the fire service isn’t fires or explosions – it’s occupational cancer. Our administration proudly supports the Department of Fire Services’ work to promote cancer awareness, prevention and early detection among Massachusetts firefighters. We are deeply grateful to our partners in the fire service and medical community for raising awareness of this life-or-death issue, and to our partners in the Legislature for supporting the funding that makes our screening programs, safety equipment grants, and other initiatives possible.”   - Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts  7/26/2024

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IN MEMORIAM: DANIEL J. NOONAN

HONORING NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS  POWERHOUSE MENTOR - By: Lennard Gettz (F.A.C.E.S.)

His name was "STAY LOW" DAN NOONAN and he was my friend!  

7/22/2024- Dan forever changed the optics of what is to be a crusader for the first responder.  He remains as one of my personal champions and a fire stoker in my public advocacy for cancer care.

I had the pleasure of co-producing "THE FIRE STILL BURNS" video documentary with Dan.  It was a spotlight on the 1975 NYT Tel Exchange Fire- an historical disaster that Dan turned into a n educational crusade and a commemoration for its 699 FDNY responders.  Dan and I spent countless hours filming and capturing his narration about the event.  He was so committed to re-tell and and re-live that dreaded fire for the benefit of anyone who fights fires with their own lives.  He uncovered and offered countless lessons from this fire - from topics of safety, prevention to getting proactive health checkups. 

After decades of advocating for the 699 firefighters who were trapped in the dark abyss and the killer smoke of the NY Telephone building fire, Dan finally got his commemoration for all those who perished and those remaining 'old timers' from the fire.  

If you listen to any of Dan’s presentations, the disaster of 1975 taught us all so much about the risks behind modern fires, but it remains a landmark for our research and education.  When I look at Dan Noonan’s towering figure, I see him as a beacon for us all- unwavering in his resolve and a guardian of a powerful vision, fulfilling a 43 year old promise to be the voice of so many who sacrificed without hesitation to protect our great city.   Dan continues to stand proudly and stand tall with the greatest unifying message of them all- to NEVER FORGET!

In the spirit of doing our part and making a difference, I proudly stood side by side with all members of the fire service, active and retired- including all advocates and foundations.  He remains my inspiration to responding to a call of need and doing all that we can for our community.

.......................................................................................................................................................................

REPRISE: 

From Small Firehouses to the FD Academy: A Landmark of Perseverance and A NEW DAY FOR "GET CHECKED NOW!" 

Seeing Dr. Robert Bard (F.A.C.E.S. Medical director) on that FDNY podium at the Fire Academy stoked a long awaited exhale of a dream come true from our many fellow advocates! Where DAN NOONAN's mission to bring honor to the 699 responders of the 1975 NY Tel Fire honored and finally commemorated in this day was a major touchdown! The patriarch of medical diagnostics joined Dan to speak to the national fire service community as 'a gradeful New Yorker", raising the awareness about the sacrifice of first responders of one of "NYC's first major cancer clusters" is an historical landmark for every FF safety advocate including our "Get Checked Now!" program. (see video)

---

Improving the Hearing Health of First Responders

Resilience Toolbox interviewed Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D., the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of RestorEar Devices, who is a Professor at the University of Miami. We spoke about the challenges faced by first responders frequently exposed to high levels of noise on the job, and the tools available to support their hearing health. Dr. Rajguru's team created the first FDA-registered and research-backed hearing health device called ReBound by RestorEar, designed to minimize hearing damage after exposure to loud noises.

Dr Rajguru continues:

For several years, The University of Miami has been working through the Firefighter Cancer Initiative with fire departments across Florida, specifically several fire departments in South Florida. We started thinking about how we could take the partnership the University of Miami has built with the fire service to address the challenges of hearing loss and balance dysfunction that occurs in firefighters due to the noise exposure they get while performing their duties.

All of us should be concerned about hearing health. Hearing loss has been associated with neurocognitive decline and Alzheimer's dementia.  Given the nature of the jobs first responders perform, they are exposed to loud noises from alarms, engines, sirens, water pumps, chainsaws, etc.  This can be quite extreme and can create damage to the hearing organs in the inner ear very early on. Often those damages go undiagnosed and undetected and can have long-term hearing and health consequences. Given the critical nature of the jobs that firefighters and first responders perform, it’s important that we protect their hearing health early on because we want to help them have healthy long-term outcomes.

One of the challenges with hearing loss is protection versus prevention. We should protect our hearing when possible. We can wear ear plugs or over-the-ear devices to reduce and mitigate loud noises from affecting our inner ears and causing that initial damage or trauma. But we know there are challenges with that, especially in the first responder job, where situational awareness is key. Given the unique needs of first responders, hearing protection may only be feasible some of the time.

At RestorEar we started thinking about prevention: how do we prevent acute damages that are occurring as we get exposed on the job? How does that lead to the prevention of long-term health consequences?

We all know whenever we have an injury, the first thing we do is apply ice to reduce inflammation and provide a little bit of cooling. How do we provide that cooling for our hearing? This led us to build RestorEar based on decades of research about mild therapeutic hypothermia (cooling) to reduce the inflammation and damage associated with loud noise exposures.

Working collaboratively with first responders and the general community led us to think about how we can use this therapy. The moment after you’ve had noise exposure, RestorEar’s Rebound is designed to deliver mild hypothermia therapy to reduce the inflammation and hence prevent acute damage, which then helps with long-term damage and consequences.

The hearing and balance of first responders are priceless, however, their exposure to extremely noisy environments makes them susceptible to hearing loss and balance dysfunction. Fortunately, tools have been developed to combat these challenges. Our team is committed to protecting the hearing health of fire service members and first responders and is eager to collaborate with them.

Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology at the University of Miami and a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of RestorEar Devices, LLC. He completed his undergraduate studies in Mumbai, India prior to pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Utah. Suhrud's research foci are on the investigations of pathophysiology, the diagnosis and treatment of various hearing and balance disorders. An educator, scientist and entrepreneur, he is an author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and is a named inventor on issued and pending patent applications. His research is supported by the National Institutes of Health and industry partners and he is actively involved in the education and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students. He leads the University of Miami's I-Corps@NCATS program supported by NCATS. He is co-director of the Institute for Neural Engineering at the University of Miami and Director of the Workforce Development program at the Miami CTSI. Recently he was awarded the Merit Grant by Veterans Administration and he’s been appointed as a Health Research Scientist at Miami VA. https://restorear.com/

Step into the world of RESPONDER RESILIENCE, an insightful podcast that sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and law enforcement professionals. Hear firsthand accounts from our community's finest as they discuss critical issues on the job and share their experiences with hosts Lt. David Dachinger (ret.), Bonnie Rumilly LCSW/EMT and Dr. Stacy Raymond. Explore topics of mental and physical wellness with emergency services thought leaders, and get ready to be inspired and gain a deeper appreciation for their sacrifices and resilience.

Copyright Notice: The materials provided on this web-based article are copyrighted and the intellectual property of the publishers/producers (F.A.C.E.S.- Firefighters Against Cancer & Exposures, The NY Cancer Resource Alliance/IntermediaWorx inc. and The AngioFoundation). It is provided publicly strictly for informational purposes within non-commercial use and not for purposes of resale, distribution, public display or performance. Unless otherwise indicated on this web based page, sharing, re-posting, re-publishing of this work is strictly prohibited without due permission from the publishers.  Also, certain content may be licensed from third-parties. The licenses for some of this Content may contain additional terms. When such Content licenses contain additional terms, we will make these terms available to you on those pages (which his incorporated herein by reference).The publishers/producers of this site and its contents such as videos, graphics, text, and other materials published are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, please always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health provider. Do not postpone or disregard any professional medical advice over something you may have seen or read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.  This website does not support, endorse or recommend any specific products, tests, physicians, procedures, treatment opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Referencing any content or information seen or published in this website or shared by other visitors of this website is solely at your own risk. The publishers/producers of this Internet web site reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, disable access to, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, all or any part of this Internet web site or any information contained thereon without liability or notice to you.

MASSACHUSSETTS DFS: VIGILANT CANCER SCREENING SUPPORT OF THE FIRE SERVICE

“Firefighters risk their lives and safety to protect their communities from danger. But the leading cause of death in the fire service isn’t fires or explosions – it’s occupational cancer. Our administration proudly supports the Department of Fire Services’ work to promote cancer awareness, prevention and early detection among Massachusetts firefighters. We are deeply grateful to our partners in the fire service and medical community for raising awareness of this life-or-death issue, and to our partners in the Legislature for supporting the funding that makes our screening programs, safety equipment grants, and other initiatives possible.”

- Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts  7/26/2024

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VIDEO EXTRA: Chief Russ Osgood (FCSN) introduces the National FF Skin Cancer Screening Initiative under a partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology The Firefighter Cancer Support Network in partnership with the American Academy dermatologist is providing skin cancer screenings nationwide. Co-coordinator Chief Russ Osgood credits the fine work of Dr. Christine Kannler in the Massachusetts Fire Service and beyond. Dr. Kannler has also been involved with a training program that the Firefighter Cancer Support Network has developed which included free skin cancer screening. This task force is made possible by AFG grants and the US Fire Administration.  (Complete interview & feature story)

MASSACHUSETTS DEPT. OF FIRE SERVICE DRIVES CANCER SCREENING TO ALL FIRST RESPONDERS

On June 9, 2024, DermScan News and HealthTech Reporter continued their review of the national joint skin cancer screening task force by the AAD and the Firefighters Cancer Support Network. We earned new insight on the foundation of Dr. Christine Kannler's crusade with an interview with MR. JAKE WARK, public information officer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS).  

Mr. Wark described his agency's commitment to the Massachusetts fire service which includes the municipal fire departments and those fire departments on military bases across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "We do that in a few different ways; through hazardous materials response, operational support at major fire and emergency scenes, firefighter training and operational capabilities including the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Prevention and Early Detection program." 

Source: facebook.com/MassDFS

Our publishers honor the Mass. DFS and its leaders as true role models for a national blueprint for all states when it comes to prevention and early detection for ALL fire service personnel.  According to Dr. Robert Bard, medical diagnostic advisor for the Firefighters Against Cancer & Exposures and NYC radiologist, "Studying their cancer awareness and screening programs earmark a most well thought-out set of initiatives for monitoring their members' health (from the critical nature of occupational hazards) both during their service and after.  To have municipal and governmental bodies collaborate and partner with outside medical professionals like Dr. Kannler, you're (finally) getting the best strategies and proper care for the firefighters.  All states can learn from this model.  In a word, Massachusetts DFS is doing it RIGHT!"

Part 2: FROM THE DFS INTERVIEW: by Jake Wark

The DFS was created in 1996 to bring several fire service functions under one roof (some going back almost 130 years) The state fire marshal's office was created in the 1890s to support with fire investigation. Under the same roof, we have the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy which trains firefighters for most of the cities and towns in Massachusetts. Our recruit programs serve career, call, and volunteer firefighters. (In Massachusetts, about 70% of our cities and towns are served, at least in part by call and volunteer firefighters.)

The Fire Academy also provides in-service training for veteran and experienced firefighters up to and including chief officers. We provide, coordinate and deploy the hazmat teams that serve the entire state from six different regions. The cancer Firefighter Cancer Awareness Prevention and Early Detection program has really grown over the past several years- since around 2018, when we started partnering with Dr. Kannler. 

The cancer program really started with skin cancer and a partnership with Dr. Kannler whose primary focus is on skin cancer (understandably) because she's a dermatologist. But cancer in many forms is much more common among firefighters than the general public that they protect. Many of us think of the fact that products of combustion today, the smoke and the toxins that are contained in that smoke are very different than they were 20, 30, 40 years ago.  We used to see natural materials like wood and cotton burning in house fires, but today, it's plastics, it's synthetics... and those all release toxic and carcinogenic chemicals when they burn. 

Since inception, our cancer program has really expanded through the years to the point where we began offering oral cancer screenings, chest CT scans and PSA blood tests.  In the past year, we began offering mammograms and ultrasounds through contracted vendors. We're really trying to support firefighters with the services that are most appropriate to them. One of the reasons that this is important is that municipal firefighters (in many cases) will not have insurance coverage for those screenings. We want to offer screenings as early as possible because they are more likely to receive an early cancer diagnosis but less likely to have screening covered by their insurance at the appropriate age. Unfortunately, firefighters are more likely to be diagnosed with these cancers much earlier than the public that they protect.

These screenings are offered at no cost to the firefighter or the fire department. These are funded through the very generous support of the Massachusetts legislature, supported by Governor Maura Healy and her administration alongside the Executive Office of Public Safety here in Massachusetts. We are really lucky to have that support in state government. Our screenings are also available to retired Massachusetts firefighters as well as those on active duty.  We recognize that in many cases, firefighters are retiring after a lifetime of service, during which they've responded to some very dangerous calls. They were exposed for many years to the hazardous products of combustion and our programs remain available to them as well. 

The Department of Fire Services has always been a service and support agency. The crystallization that occupational cancer was something we needed to confront came about in the late 2010's. It became a topic of increased conversation, awareness and concern among the fire departments in Massachusetts and among our PA public safety leaders.

This feature is sponsored by:

In a recent episode of RESPONDER RESILIENCE, Lt. Guiler (female firefighter and breast cancer survivor) promotes female firefighter dolls that are beacons of empowerment for young girls, introducing them to the world of firefighting (featured on Good Morning America, Kelly Clarkson Show, Woman’s World Magazine)  A portion of the proceeds will go to the Triple F Foundation- a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, to help firefighters who are battling cancer & on the job injuries. 

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Brain Health Education and Training for First Responders (Part 1)

BRAIN WELLNESS SUPPLEMENTAL:
By Marilyn Abrahamson, MA,CCC-SLP-CBHC

First responders, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, face high-stress situations every day, putting immense pressure on their mental and physical well-being. The demanding nature of their jobs requires peak cognitive performance and quick decision-making abilities. With this in mind, brain health education and training are critical to ensure their cognitive function remains sharp, and to enable them to cope with their occupational challenges.

It is important to begin by offering instruction on lifestyle options that support a healthy brain. These brain-healthy lifestyle options include:

1) Mediterranean or MIND Diet:  A brain-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, or the MIND diet, plays a pivotal role in supporting cognitive health. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins, both diets provide essential nutrients that promote brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, for example, have been associated with improved memory and cognitive performance. By adopting such a diet, first responders can properly nourish their brains, and enhance their ability to quickly and accurately process information while under stress.

2) Exercise:  Regular physical activity has profound effects on brain health. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen crucial for optimal cognitive performance. Additionally, it stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety while improving mood and overall mental well-being. Incorporating exercise routines into their daily lives can enhance the cognitive resilience of first responders.

3) Sleep: Adequate sleep is vital for memory consolidation and cognitive restoration. The demanding and often irregular schedules of first responders can disrupt their sleep patterns, leading to cognitive fatigue and impaired decision-making. Educating them about the significance of sleep hygiene and stress-reduction techniques can improve their sleep quality, ensuring they remain mentally sharp and attentive during critical situations.

4) Stress Management: High-stress situations are an inherent part of a first responder's profession, leading to increased levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. Chronic stress can negatively impact the brain's structure and function, leading to cognitive decline over time. Implementing stress management techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises can help mitigate the damaging effects of stress on the brain.

5) Lifelong Learning: Encouraging first responders to engage in lifelong learning activities fosters cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve refers to the brain's ability to adapt and function effectively despite age-related changes or brain injuries. Pursuing continuing education, learning new skills, or engaging in mentally stimulating activities like puzzles, language learning, or music can enhance cognitive flexibility and creativity, making them better equipped to handle complex and unpredictable situations.

6) Brain Training and Compensatory Strategy Education: In addition to brain-healthy lifestyle choices, targeted brain training programs can significantly improve cognitive function among first responders. Cognitive training focuses on enhancing specific cognitive abilities such as attention and memory through structured exercises and techniques.

7) Attention Training: First responders must maintain vigilant attention to assess situations rapidly and accurately. Cognitive training programs can help them develop sustained attention, allowing them to concentrate on critical details for prolonged periods without succumbing to distractions. These programs often include exercises involving visual and auditory stimuli, forcing responders to remain focused amidst external interruptions.

8) Memory Training: Memory lapses during high-pressure situations can have severe consequences. Memory training interventions can help first responders improve their short-term and working memory capacities. Techniques such as visualization, chunking, and mnemonic strategies can be employed to enhance memory encoding and retrieval, ensuring vital information is readily accessible when needed.

9) Compensatory Strategy Education: Cognitive training also involves instruction in compensatory strategies that empower first responders to work around potential cognitive limitations. These strategies include note-taking, time-management techniques, and organization skills. By incorporating these practices into their daily routines, responders can optimize their cognitive abilities and make more informed decisions under pressure.

MARILYN ABRAHAMSON, MA, CCC-SLP : As a Brain Health Education Specialist at Ceresti Health, Marilyn offers initiatives that supports education and empowerment of family caregivers. She also writes for and edits the Ceresti’s monthly newsletter and produces all brain health education and brain-health coaching programs for caregivers.  Marilyn's prior work is as a NJ Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist since 1987 and is an Amen Clinics Certified Brain Health Coach.

In appreciation: Dr. Christine Kannler (the Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshall Award- 11/2022)

Remarks of Former State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, 11/17/22:

Firefighting is an inherently dangerous calling. But of all the hazards we confront each day, occupational cancer is the one most likely to take our lives. Firefighters are far more likely than the general public to be diagnosed with cancer, to develop it earlier in life, and to discover it in its later stages.  Dr. Christine Kannler is determined to improve our odds.

Dr. Kannler is a passionate advocate and a tireless crusader for cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection in the fire service. As a board-certified dermatologist, she’s made it her mission to screen as many firefighters as possible for skin cancer, helping them to identify, treat, and survive a potentially deadly diagnosis.

It’s a mission with deeply personal roots. Like almost everyone in this room, Dr. Kannler lost someone in the fire service to occupational cancer. Her brother, Peter Kannler, was a Chelsea firefighter and Academy instructor who lost his own battle with cancer in 2016, when he was just 37 years old.

Following Peter’s tragic death, Dr. Kannler put her training to use by independently offering free skin cancer screenings to any firefighter who was interested. After initially working on her own, she contacted the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in 2018 to see if we could expand her reach. Since that time, the interest has exploded, and she’s screened 3,265 firefighters at scores of local firehouses, union meetings, and other venues across the Commonwealth – all on her own time.

To give you an idea of how urgently these services are needed, about 16% of Dr. Kannler’s firefighter patients require follow-up care.  That’s a rate 60% higher than the public they protect. Time and again, we hear the same five words from firefighters who beat melanoma because she helped them spot it in time: “Dr. Kannler saved my life.”

The fire service is becoming much more attuned to occupational cancer than we used to be. But most of us don’t have a dermatologist who can provide meaningful information and a clinical exam. Dr. Kannler has made that resource available, on request, in the very places we live and work.  And her perseverance has brought her before state and national dermatological associations, where she presses her case for similar programs nationwide. So far, about 10 other states are trying partnerships like ours – and we hope many more will follow.

The Firefighter of the Year Awards recognize acts of life-saving heroism by our brother and sister firefighters. Dr. Kannler might not be a firefighter, but she’s a hero and a lifesaver all the same.  It’s my great honor to present the 2022 Stephen D. Coan Fire Marshal’s Award to Dr. Christine Kannler.

For this segment, our publishing team wishes to express our special thanks to  Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) Public Information Officer Jake Wark and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, whose leadership makes firefighter cancer a priority for the agency and makes our partnership with Dr. Kannler possible..

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"Toxic Fires from Burning Plastics" Remain a National Health Threat - 45+ Years After Landmark NYC Fire

Written by: Dr. Robert L. Bard | Edited by: L. Gettz, Ed.D & Graciella Davi (NYCRA NEWS Editorial Staff)

Play 1975 NY Tel Fire/Dan Noonan Tribute video

November 9, 2021- The NY Fire Bell Club held its second annual meeting at the NYC Fire Museum on Spring Street- an historical landmark for "the city's bravest". In the name of public cancer awareness and a valuable history lesson in NYC fires, FDNY Honorary Battalion Chief Sergio Nieto, president of the FBC presented nationally recognized guest speaker- FDNY's own Ret. FF Dan Noonan, responder/survivor and crusader for the 1975 NY Tel Exchange Fire.

Mr. Noonan's powerful presentation captivated the large audience of active and retired firefighters and their families.  He delivered a powerful and real-time tour of his experiences while covering the most vital topics from that event-- including 1975 news coverage, interviews from lawmakers and FD leaderships, medical evaluations of the toxic contaminations and the after-effects of the event on the city both then and now.  Mr. Noonan also delivered compelling spotlights on some of the 699 firefighters who responded to the rescue event and their many health effects from the deadly smoke.

Since 1975, Dan Noonan has tirelessly promoted and echoed "the many lessons learned" from the department's most challenging disasters. He and many voices from the fire service considered  the NY Tel Exchange Fire "our First 9/11" - clearly voicing an overwhelmingly different type of disaster as far as its after-effects and the many layers of damage both to the city and to the responders, communication workers and the residents in the immediate area.

Dan Noonan's 11/9 presentation earmarked his continuing outcry for recognition of all 699 responders as well as the historical landmark of how killer smoke from burning plastics - re. the ONE BILLION feet of smoldering PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) copper wire insulation) was then and remains today as a health threat to our responders.  His seminar on the fire led to an Environmental Biology course in DIOXIN poisoning emitted by burning PVC.

During the seminar, Mr. Noonan played a CBS news clip by Arnold Diaz interviewing city officials about the AT&T Fire, then redirecting the focus on the NYC Subway System that also showed billions of miles of PVC piping and cable insulation and the high level of citywide carcinogenic risk involved should track fires happen.  Additional news clips included an interview with Dr. Deborah Wallace, nationally acclaimed Environmental Biologist and the author of the highly recognized 1990 textbook "IN THE MOUTH OF THE DRAGON- TOXIC FIRES IN THE AGE OF PLASTICS". Dr. Wallace’s book details the dangers of plastic-fueled toxic fires. Dr. Wallace notes: “No one thought to test early synthetic polymers for their combustion toxicity. These products were virtually untested when they were put on the market. Instead, the public became the test animals.”   She further states "we live in an age of plastics- exquisite wood-like furniture [plastic], designer textured wallcoverings [plastic], thick plush carpets, [plastic], fade-proof draperies [plastic]... and the list goes on.  The fact is, when living and working in any modern environment, we are surrounded by plastics. What most of us don't know is just how dangerous these plastics can be when heated, smoldering and burning.  

Mr. Noonan directed his audience to an entire chapter in Dr. Wallace’s book, referencing the 1975 NY Tel Fire; "PVC in the stage of decomposition and combustion can deliver an acute dose of toxicants which results in permanent serious injury and even delayed fatalities. Although the concentrated cloud of acid poses the most immediate life and health threat, other chemicals especially chlorinated hydrocarbons, can cause or contribute to serious chronic health problems....it is hoped that the consequences of this fire will lead to changes in the construction and layout of other buildings of this type. But even with improvements in construction and layout, the danger will not be completely eliminated. Synthetics are too pervasive in our world; we can never be too comfortable or confident about our safety. The Dragon lurks in the most unexpected places." [1]

HONORING DAN

When the NY Cancer Resource Alliance and F.A.C.E.S Foundation (Firefighters Against Cancer & Exposures) learned about Dan Noonan's presentation, national ambassadors like "Cousin Sal" Banchitta (Ret. FDNY FF from Ladder 316), Dave Dachinger (Ret. Lt. from the Ridgefield CT Fire Department) and F.A.C.E.S. President Lt. Chris Conner (Bedford TX) flocked at the opportunity to partner with the NY Fire Bell Club to present Dan's long awaited Lifetime Achievement Honor.  "It's about time Dan received the recognition he long deserved all DECADES of public speaking and outreach! As a direct historian for the 1975 Fire, all firefighters throughout the US continues to learn from this and other disasters and thanks to the power of his writing and his videos in YouTube, his voice IS ALSO OUR VOICE to support all first responders. Dan is the original torch bearer and an inspiration to us all!"  In a separate interview after the 11/9 event, Chief Nieto stated, “Dan has unending passion to bring a lot of knowledge about prevention and early detection … especially for the 'probies' and the younger members. They hear these talks in the fire academy, but Dan continues to keep stressing it- really bringing it home.  The importance of self-responsibility and self-awareness about safety- especially after its job.”

Thanks in part to the NY Fire Bell Club and the cooperation from Verizon, sources say the 699 responders of the 1975 Fire are about to is receive the proper and due recognition for their sacrifice and service in the form of a memorial plaque to be installed at the former NY Tel Exchange building (204 Second Avenue and Thirteenth Street in the East Village, NYC) plus a street naming related to the fire.   The unveiling is said to occur in early February, 2022.