Hey,
Well, this shouldn’t knock you out of your boots in surprise, but finally it has been proven that FDNY Firefighters who worked at Ground Zero have a 19% greater chance of contracting cancer than those who did not, a new medical study found. The issue is one of those things that “you know” the answer to, but understandably, the science must back up the claim. The FDNY report came out yesterday and argues it is “biologically plausible” to link exposure to the smoldering World Trade Center site to cancer – a finding that could open the door to changing the federal ruling that denied Zadroga Act benefits to cancer-stricken responders. “The study clearly shows that World Trade Center exposure in these firefighters led to an increase in cancer,” said Dr. David Prezant, the FDNY’s chief medical officer.
The report will be printed this month in the medical journal The Lancet which is linked below.
Doc’s studied more than 9,800 firefighters, including 8,927 Firefighters who spent time at Ground Zero between 9/11 and the day the site closed in July 2002. Of those members exposed to the toxic site, 263 developed cancer – which is also a 10% jump over what doctors would find in the general public. The finding vindicated many first responders, several of whom are gravely ill, who were devastated when NIOSH ruled in July that cancer could not be linked to Twin Tower toxins – and therefore would not be covered by the Zadroga Act. Elected officials can petition the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation fund now to ask for a review – and Rep. Carolyn Maloney said she would ask Dr. Howard for that review immediately as cancer is NOT covered currently.
The FDNY report – which tracked smokers and non-smokers separately – revealed an uptick in certain types of cancer among the firefighters, including melanoma, leukemia and cancers of the stomach, colon and prostate. Lung cancer, however, was not discovered at a higher rate in firefighters who worked at the Pit, according to the study. In fact, the nine firefighters who contracted lung cancer were all smokers. Smoking continues to be a HUGE HEALTH issue in the fire service throughout North America.
Dr. Prezant cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from the surprising revelation. “Lung cancer takes a long time to develop and we didn’t expect to see a big increase,” said Prezant, who noted that the test’s sample size is too small to draw definitive conclusions about specific types of cancer.
Twenty-seven firefighters in the study have succumbed to cancer – and while Dr. Prezant said the rate was “not an epidemic,” he fears many more who stared down danger 10 years ago could suffer a similar fate.
“They were not thinking about health at that time,” said Prezant. “Their only mission was to save and rescue as many people as they could.”
HERE IS MORE FROM THE LANCET: http://www.thelancet.com/themed-911
HERE ARE MORE MEDIA DETAILS: http://tinyurl.com/3ls9jnc
==COLLECTING FOR MDA/JERRY’S KIDS THIS WEEKEND?
Just a reminder to use EXTREME caution when near the roadways collecting by using hi-vis vests, apparatus and traffic signals along with your FD’s policies to best manage the risk for this excellent cause.
FATAL EMS CRASH IN BRAZIL:
8 people including an EMS driver and a two-year-old patient – died last night in the State of São Paulo, when the ambulance that was transporting, went off the highway and crashed into a tree. According to the news, the cause of the accident is still unknown, but the vehicle – a Fiat Doblò – has a maximum capacity of five to six people. our condolences to all affected.
MORE HERE: http://www.redebomdia.com.br/noticias/dia-a-dia/66021/cinco+pessoas+e+um+bebe+morrem+em+acidente+com+ambulancia+na+raposo+tavares
MORE HERE: http://www.redebomdia.com.br/noticias/dia-a-dia/66021/cinco+pessoas+e+um+bebe+morrem+em+acidente+com+ambulancia+na+raposo+tavares
==ELMONT (Long Island, N.Y.) FD DRILL TEAM TRUCK CRASH “THE FACTS” AND UPDATE:
Here is a message for readers of TSL, from EFD Chief of Department Michael Capoziello, also a long time Secret List member himself. :
“I cannot express my gratitude enough for the overwhelming out pouring of support and well wishes we, the Elmont Fire Department have received over the past 24 hours. Out of town companies have literally pulled up on our ramps offering anything they can do to help. Trust me the phone calls, voice messages and text messages mean the world during the “down” times.”
“I am not naive to the world we live in today, facebook, blackberry message groups, rant sites, etc…in which information is sent literally around the world in seconds. For some there is a perverse need to be the “first” to post something or to “break” the news on these social media outlets. Almost all of it was wrong, but it is what it is.”
“I am not naive to the world we live in today, facebook, blackberry message groups, rant sites, etc…in which information is sent literally around the world in seconds. For some there is a perverse need to be the “first” to post something or to “break” the news on these social media outlets. Almost all of it was wrong, but it is what it is.”
HERE ARE THE FACTS AS OF LATE LAST NIGHT: Last evening 2 members have been released from Jamaica hospital. 1 remains in North Shore Manhasset, hopefully released tomorrow. The most serious injury is still in Jamaica hospital. His condition is very serious, but it has improved from last night.
As stated above this is not the time and place to “debate” drill teams. I’m sure there will be plenty of that in the future. The time now is to say a prayer if that’s your thing, if not a thought or two before you go to sleep each night for the recovery of our members would be appreciated. Again we can’t thank you enough for your support through these trying times.
The Elmont Chiefs…Mike, Angelo, Domenic and Brian.
As stated above this is not the time and place to “debate” drill teams. I’m sure there will be plenty of that in the future. The time now is to say a prayer if that’s your thing, if not a thought or two before you go to sleep each night for the recovery of our members would be appreciated. Again we can’t thank you enough for your support through these trying times.
The Elmont Chiefs…Mike, Angelo, Domenic and Brian.
ADDITIONALLY:
In addition, the following is the official statement from the Elmont Fire Department & Fire District re: Training Exercise Accident:
“In the course of a fire department drill team training exercise, an accident occurred, injuring four of our members. Our first concern is for the well being of our brother firefighters and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families as they deal with their injuries. This accident will undergo a routine investigation by the Nassau County Police Department, and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further until this investigation has been undertaken and completed.”
In addition, the following is the official statement from the Elmont Fire Department & Fire District re: Training Exercise Accident:
“In the course of a fire department drill team training exercise, an accident occurred, injuring four of our members. Our first concern is for the well being of our brother firefighters and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families as they deal with their injuries. This accident will undergo a routine investigation by the Nassau County Police Department, and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further until this investigation has been undertaken and completed.”
The Nassau County PD investigation remains ongoing at this time, and of course, we wish the best to all affected for a rapid and successful recovery.
WAFFLE HOUSE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
How To Assist Your Community When It Is Scattered, Covered and Smothered
As you probably know, the 62-year-old food chain has a longstanding reputation for staying open during natural disasters. And if a storm is too intense to stay open straight through the worst of it, Waffle House has especially strong protocols, policies and procedures for getting back online quickly.
Its hurricane playbook explains how to reopen a restaurant and what to serve if there is gas but no electricity, or a generator but no ice. An important element is limiting the menu so the company’s supply chain can focus on keeping certain items stocked and chilled or frozen.
Waffle House’s tenacity and preparedness are so watertight that FEMA Director Craig Fugate (TSL member) has joked that he watches a “Waffle House Index” of disaster magnitude. He can tell how bad a disaster’s been by how much of its menu Waffle House is serving. EHS Today (link below) specifies the exact parameters of the index, which gained credence when Washington University Business professor Panos Kouvelis conducted a study on the subject.
Its hurricane playbook explains how to reopen a restaurant and what to serve if there is gas but no electricity, or a generator but no ice. An important element is limiting the menu so the company’s supply chain can focus on keeping certain items stocked and chilled or frozen.
Waffle House’s tenacity and preparedness are so watertight that FEMA Director Craig Fugate (TSL member) has joked that he watches a “Waffle House Index” of disaster magnitude. He can tell how bad a disaster’s been by how much of its menu Waffle House is serving. EHS Today (link below) specifies the exact parameters of the index, which gained credence when Washington University Business professor Panos Kouvelis conducted a study on the subject.
HERE IS MORE FROM “EHS TODAY” http://tinyurl.com/3frcz35
Take Care-BE CAREFUL,
Take Care-BE CAREFUL,
BillyG
The Secret List 9-2-11 / 1311 Hours
