OC Firefighters News | February 2021 | View as Webpage
February 3, 2021
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In an effort to keep you up to date on the latest local, statewide, and federal fire issues, OC Firefighters send out monthly news clippings. This newsletter will help inform you about very important fire-related matters.

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City of Irvine Proclaims January 2021 Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
At the Irvine City Council meeting held on January 26th, the Mayor and City Council Members proclaimed January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.

Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to research by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). Cancer also caused 66% of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019, according to data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
Local 3631 President Todd Baldridge spoke in support of this resolution and expressed his gratitude to the City of Irvine for recognizing the devastating impacts of cancer on the fire service and increasing awareness of the cancer risks associated with our profession. Thank you to Mayor Khan and Councilmember Kuo for championing this resolution.
 
To view the full presentation, click HERE.
How to get your first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses in Orange County
Orange County was the first county in Southern California to start vaccinating people 65 and older on Jan. 13, the day Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that policy change.
OC Firefighters Save Westminster Home
Firefighters Monday morning quickly put out flames in a Westminster house, containing the damage to one room. The fire was reported at 12:55 a.m. in the 9300 block of Mirage Avenue, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
Video courtesy of OCFA
House Fire in Garden Grove
Firefighters saved multiple homes that were threatened by an exterior structure fire on January 31st. As crews arrived, one home was beginning to ignite but quick action prevented the home from being destroyed. The fire occurred in the 8600 block of Mac Alpine Road.
Video courtesy of OCFA
Fire Displaces Family
OC Firefighters responded to a fire at a two-story home in Dana Point. The blaze was contained to one of the bedrooms, thereby limiting damage to the rest of the structure. Three adults and one dog were displaced as a result of the fire, but no injuries were reported.
Video courtesy of OCFA
Two-Story House Fire
OC Firefighters responded to a chimney fire in the 30,400 block of Via Cantabria in San Juan Capistrano. The fire extended into the attic of a two-story home, but Firefighters were able to save the structure. No injuries were reported.
Video courtesy of OCFA
Storm causes mudslides in Bond, Silverado fire burn areas
“Even though the rain stops, there’s still a chance of mud slipping,” OCFA Capt. Paul Holaday said. “When the ground gets saturated, it’s like a sponge and after a while it can’t take any more and starts to slide.”
‘The end of COVID-19 is in sight’: O.C. officials declare at new Disneyland vaccine distribution center
Officials have teamed with the Orange County Fire Authority to oversee the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations in an effort dubbed Operation Independence, as the goal is to see most county residents vaccinated by the Fourth of July.
FFCAM Taking the Pledge
Submitted By Jeff Hughes, OC Firefighters Local 3631 Wellness Agent
In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the IAFF has designated January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide Firefighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention within their departments.
 
In addition, bringing increased public awareness to occupational cancer in the fire service will help generate greater legislative support for states and provinces to establish a presumptive disability for cancer.
 
Now that the deliverable resources for the IAFF/FCSN Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month have been released and reviewed, it is the time for you to take action! Commit to the cause of reducing your risk of cancer. Do it for you, your family, and those who you serve with. Take the pledge at Change.org and share why you pledge for change. 
 
“I pledge to do everything in my power to reduce my risk of contracting job-related cancers, for my health and to protect my loved ones.
 
 I also promise to be diligent in protecting my brothers and sisters from inadvertent exposures that can lead to occupational diseases. 
 
Together, we can improve the safety of our own and ensure we are able to serve the public we have sworn to protect. Together we can make a difference.” 

THIS MESSAGE WAS CREATED BY JIMMY BLACKMAN & ASSOCIATES.
For more information about Blackman & Associates, visit www.jimmyblackman.com