In this episode, Weekend Wrap-up host, Kevin Ferrara talks about a Congressional hearing on PFAS that was postponed twice and his opportunity to testify removed.

Kevin reads for listeners and viewers, what was supposed to be his opening statements that highlight how the DoD and Air Force continue to pushback on the fact PFAS does have a significant impact on US military servicemembers. 

In addition to reciting his testimony, Kevin highlights the DoDs PFAS blood test for active military and DoD civilian firefighters and how the DoD seemingly does not have a plan to deal with elevated levels of PFAS in servicemembers. 

Kevin highlights how the DoD continues to release AFFF into the environment, sometimes off the military installation within civilian communities.

Links

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs PFAS Web Page

Kirtland AFB Firefighters Respond to Albuquerque, New Mexico fire

Cannon Air Force Base PFAS Permit Violations

Mark Correll, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety, and Infrastructure Comments on PFAS Remediation

DoD MTF Guide PFAS Blood Testing of DoD Firefighters

ASDR Memo Blood Testing for DoD Firefighters to PFAS

US Congress House Appropriations Committee Schedule

EWG PFAS Interactive Map

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AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

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As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara sits down with representatives from the Berks County, Pennsylvania Fire Chaplains Network to discuss firefighter suicide awareness and prevention.

Berks County Fire Chaplains Network representatives, CJ Ferrara and Kindall Wann provide insight on how they became involved in the fire service and what they do as part of a team to prevent firefighter suicides.

Using statistics from the IAFF, the discussion focused on the increased number of firefighters having thoughts, plans, attempts of suicide as well as the number of occurrences that firefighters harmed themselves but did not commit suicide.   In the United States, it's estimated using the IAFF survey stats, an alarming number of the 1-million career and volunteer firefighters had thoughts of suicide, approximately 89,000.

Guests spoke about how Covid has impacted how support is requested and or provided and how face-2-face interaction is critical.

As the podcast concludes, CJ and Kindall answer some funny, off-topic questions from Pod Decks asking "Would You Rather?"

The Weekend Wrap-up podcast is ranked #6 of the top 15 Fire protection and Safety Podcasts by Feedspot

Episode Links:

Berks County Fire Chaplains Network

IAFF Firefighter Suicide Awareness

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Canada Suicide & Crisis Hotlines

Pod Decks
Pod Decks helps podcasters grow their audience while having unique and deeper conversations.

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AFSO21
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As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, Weekend Wrap-up host, Kevin Ferrara speaks on the importance of Firefighter Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Kevin provides some data on the number of firefighter suicides throughout the United States as well as telephone numbers for individuals to call and talk with trained professionals.

Kevin talks about AFFF and PFAS contamination at Goodfellow Air Force base in San Angelo, Texas where the contamination may be a contributor to the constant smell and poor taste of the area's drinking water.

In addition to those topics, Kevin shares with listeners audio from a recent structure fire where four firefighters were injured, two receiving serious burns.  Their MAYDAY calls can be heard on the audio which is why Kevin continues to speak about the importance of every firefighter having a radio, at the very least, those operating inside a structure.

As the episode wraps-up, Kevin gives a shout-out to several individuals and organizations for their dedicated work in the fire service as well as their personal sacrifices while protecting their communities.

Links to topics discussed in the podcast:

IAFF Firefighter Suicide Prevention 

Goodfellow Air Force Base Water Testing (San Angelo Live)

The Air Force is Taking Samples From Water wells near Goodfellow Air Force Base (Fox West Texas)

Unclassified Goodfellow Air Force Base Report

Firefighter Close calls Maryland Firefighters Mayday Radio

Hampshire Firefighters Join Hospital's Intensive Care Unit

Australia Fires: Firefighter Loses Own Home While Saving Others

Feedspot Top 15 Fire protection & Safety Podcasts

AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

Contact AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast -

• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara discusses firefighter cancer awareness and how it continues to affect firefighters across the globe.

Kevin talks about PFAS and how it directly affects firefighters through repeated exposure to products of combustion during and after an incident.  Kevin shares his thoughts on why PFAS blood testing is important and why it should be included in the NFPA 1582 Standard.

Kevin talks about how important lines of communication and transparency are necessary with PFAS and how it appears the Department of Defense, particularly the Air Force remains silent on exposure and contamination.

Kevin introduces listeners to new segments of the Podcast, "On-Scene" and "Shout-outs".

Links to topics discussed

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month

International Association of Firefighters Resolutions 28 & 31 Regarding PFAS

NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments

Oklahoma City Firefighter Disciplined

Phoenix Fire Department Shout-out

Firefighter Near Miss Program

Feedspot lists AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up at number 6 of the Top 15 Fire protection & Safety Podcasts!

AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

Contact AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast -

• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

Kevin Ferrara, host of AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up podcast continues discussing Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness month.

To provide additional commentary, Kevin invited Chief Billy Goldfeder to the show.  Chief Goldfeder is no stranger in the fire service, highly recognized for his many years of service to several departments and the communities they serve.  In addition, Chief Goldfeder hosts Firefighter Close Calls, Home of the Secret List where every day, he contributes news and information that has influenced the fire service and even saved lives.

As Kevin and Billy chat throughout the episode about firefighter health and safety, in particular firefighter survival, Chief Goldfeder provides his off the cuff, straight from the hip, wisdom on various topics affecting the fire service today.  Billy tells it like it is, raw and uncut and we couldn't be more proud of the work he is doing.

After you listen to this episode, be sure to order one of Chief Goldfeder's Pass It On books by heading to www.firefighterclosecalls.com where you can click on the links to order one of his three amazing publications, each filled with invaluable information that might one day, save your life.

Links:

Firefighter Close Calls

Pass It On books

Firefighter Cancer Support Network

Feedspot's Top 15 Fire Protection & Safety Podcast List

AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

Contact AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast -

• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

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You can’t control every hazard in this job, but you can control more than you think and pretending otherwise is costing firefighters their health and their lives. We’re joined by Chief Billy Goldfeder for a candid, straight-talk conversation about firefighter survival, the dangerous comfort of “that’s just part of the job,” and how the smallest habits become the biggest outcomes over a career.

We get into the hard topics: the difference between necessary line-of-duty risk and avoidable line-of-duty death, and why leadership is not just a white helmet but a culture that enforces the basics. Chief Goldfeder doesn’t sugarcoat firefighter cancer prevention, calling out dirty turnout gear, skipping SCBA, and treating soot like a badge of honor. We also address PFAS concerns in firefighting foam and turnout gear, while staying grounded in what we can do today: take gear off when you don’t need it, wash it, decon it, and keep contaminants out of your home and away from your family.

From there, we talk firefighter fitness and wellness for volunteer and career departments, why long-term risks are easy to ignore, and how to build momentum with simple routines you’ll actually stick with. We also cover COVID-19, trust in science, and what it looks like to work alongside law enforcement in tactical environments when training, policies, and accountability are real. We close with one of the most useful leadership lessons you’ll hear: stay in your lane, especially with personnel issues, and send people to qualified help when it’s beyond your expertise.

If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with your crew and leadership, and leave a review so more firefighters can find it.

Support the show

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As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

It's 2021, and time for the fight to begin!

With January being Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, it's fitting AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara talks about PFAS and how it has affected military firefighter, their families, and civilians living near military installations.

Kevin highlights the Firefighter Cancer Support Network who have published a group of weekly links, leading viewers to some very informative information, including the document titled Cancer 101. 

Kevin talks about how the fight emergency responders must take needs to be focused on preventing unnecessary exposure to materials linked to cancer and how legislators, the US military, and those in positions of power have the ability to make a change and become role models for others to follow regarding cancer prevention.

As the episode wraps-up, Kevin vows to keep fighting for those in emergency services and emphasizes why emergency responders are considered the most valued resource in fire protection and emergency services.

 Links to the information mentioned during this episode:

Firefighter Cancer Support Network

NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments

2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) PDF Download
2021 NDAA Web Site

NIOSH Study of Firefighters Finds Increased rates of Cancer

The Invisible Danger of Bunker Gear Transfer (YouTube Video)

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AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

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• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, the last for 2020, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara gives thanks to his listeners while addressing some topics that affected fire protection and emergency services throughout 2020.

Kevin sheds some light on what he and the podcast have planned for 2021 to include hosting Chief Billy Goldfeder on an upcoming episode.

As 2021 comes to a close, as Kevin states in his podcast, take time to give thanks and appreciate everything we've been given because tomorrow is not a guarantee.

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AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

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• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara returns from a brief hiatus to talk to his faithful listeners about issues affecting fire protection and emergency services around the globe.

Kevin starts off by talking about PFAS blood testing and how it has been definitively found in firefighter turnout gear.  Kevin discusses the need for more research so that informed decisions can be made in terms of blood testing and selection of turnout gear.

Kevin then discusses some trending topics found on social media today like helmet styles and dues for volunteer fire departments. 

Kevin finishes up the episode by stating the podcast schedule is back to every two weeks so that more time can be spent generating stories and selecting special guests for the show.

Links to the information mentioned throughout the episode:

Vista Analytical PFAS Blood Testing Laboratory

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AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

Contact AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast -

• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!

In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara discusses what he states in his podcast, something he fears is not being addressed enough, if at all; that being a structured firefighter health and wellness program.

Kevin discusses how a research project he authored and then developed an evaluation to test his hypothesis proved that adopting or creating, and implementing a structured firefighter health and wellness program will result in a positive outcome for firefighters.

As you listen, you will hear something Kevin found in his research that could impact firefighters, and what some might say is a concern not only for the firefighter but the department.

Links to the information mentioned throughout this episode:

Firefighter Health & Wellness Research Project

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AFSO21
Delivering strategic & operational planning fundamentals to emergency services around the world

Contact AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast -

• Email us at [email protected]

As always, keep supporting your local fire and emergency services, stay safe, and keep on listening!