Aurora, Colo (KDVR)- Aurora Fire goes up to save efforts to protect firefighters- not only from fire, but from the long-term health risks that come with the job.
This week, the department has started providing new layer equipment for one designed to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals. The light weight option called Tecgen for low -risk calls such as car accidents and medical calls will be worn.
“We had two retirees who moved from cancer,” said Hunter Hakbarith, Aurora Fire Fire Assistant Rescue. “Our other retirees run some cancer problems today.”
It is an alternative to the traditional Bunker equipment that can reach 60 lbs with additional tools.
“The problem with this inner cortex is that it contains PFAs, and PFAS contributes to firefighters’s cancer,” said Hakbarith. “Therefore, we are trying to get them out of this gear as possible and make them wear a single -layer TeCgen equipment.”
PFAS, or Materials for all and polyfluoroalkylThey are human chemicals sometimes called “chemicals forever”. Firefighters will still have two groups of equipment on the truck. It is a bit of firefighters, Patrick, a grateful peace for him.
He said: “Not only the speed they actually get faster, but keep our health in prolonging our career for a longer period of time.” “It is good to see that we are progressing in technology, and we are always trying to improve, our equipment is not only lighter but more efficient and better.”
Besides the new equipment, the department also offers comprehensive cancer offers for all 460 firefighters inside the department. He is the first in the history of Fire Aurora.
“For us, it was huge. I can tell you, for me personally, when you are at the fire of fire – it’s my thirty -sixth year in the firefighting service – that I had this opportunity to give a comprehensive look at my health and my public health.” My real fear is that I may have cancer that may have been in the advanced stage and was not arrested through regular medical through my personal doctor. So, to get out on the back side of the discovery that I need to take care of some small things in the skin, but I have a little peace of mind that I had no important note that I need to deal with at the present time.
For AFR, the job is still the same, but now the equipment that protects them may also help save their lives.
“This is the third day of distribution, so we are working on that. I hope they are happy with it. It is a significant increase in the level of protection,” said Hakbarith. “It is another thing AFR and the city of Aurora to help add to ensure that we are helping and managing and are interested in the health of our firefighters.”
Cancer offers are covered with FEMA aid of $ 420,000 for the firefighters grant. AFR also gives two sets of turnout equipment to switch after a fire.
They also have special washing machines called extracts to clean toxins. Also, prepare new devices with removed and cleaned seats, and install positive pressure systems at firefighters.