As DOGE continues to take action against what they perceive as waste or unnecessary programs, the fire service feels another measurable cut. It appears the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (and other firefighter programs, discussed below) has died in the line of duty.
(Scroll down for the latest NIOSH LODD reports that have been released)
As of 0500 hours this morning, hundreds of employees have been terminated (or told to expect it), including Firefighter LODD investigations (the Cincinnati office which handles medical LODDs, the Morgantown WV Office which handles traumatic LODDs, and the Pittsburgh office which houses the PPE section), WTC health, and National Firefighter Registry Cancer programs. The union employees get 90 days pay plus severance-non union troops 60 days plus severance.
Created by Congress in 1970 to protect workers, NIOSH studies how to keep workplaces safe. NIOSH is part of the CDC and oversees several firefighter health and safety programs, including the registry to track cancer in firefighters and a health program for people affected by the 9/11 terror attacks.
We thought that the WTC 9/11 health program was re-funded and stable but it appears it may not be. While all of these cuts are measurably impactful, the WTC one is especially upsetting as so many continue to suffer the impacts of America being attacked in 2001.
There is a long history of the fire service strongly supporting the voluntary LODD investigation program and a long history of us fighting to get it properly staffed and funded. NIOSH was created to protect workers.
Watch for more information from your national fire service organizations as all the leadership is certainly aware of today’s actions.
MOST RECENT NIOSH LODD REPORTS RELEASED:
