Local 2068 Health & Safety
Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service.
At the 2023 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, 63% of the names added to the wall were members who had died from occupational cancer.
In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the IAFF has designated January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.
The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 Late last week, your Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to a commercial building fire in the 11110 block of Georgetown Pike in Great Falls.The incident was first spotted by the Fairfax County Police Department helicopter as it returned from another call. They alerted our Public Safety Communications team (Fairfax County 911), who quickly dispatched fire and rescue units.Crews arrived to find significant fire showing from multiple buildings. Due to how advanced the fire was, they employed a defensive attack to bring it under control and stop it from spreading further.Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our entire public safety team, police, 911 telecommunicators, firefighters, and paramedics, the fire was extinguished with no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.A true example of the full public safety chain working together for our community.📸 credit: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department#Local2068 #FCFRD #fairfaxcounty #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗜𝗻, 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀First responders face high-stress situations every day, and sometimes the weight of the job can lead to mental health struggles. Warning signs of suicide can include:- Withdrawal from friends, family, or colleagues- Dramatic mood swings or sudden irritability- Changes in sleep or appetite- Increased use of alcohol or drugs- Talking about hopelessness, guilt, or feeling like a burden- Risk-taking behaviors or giving away possessionsNo sign is too small to take seriously. Checking in with a fellow firefighter, paramedic, or dispatcher can save a life. Let them know they’re not alone, and help is available.If you or a colleague are struggling, reach out:988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline#local2068 #fairfaxcounty #fcfrd #YouAreNotAlone ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 – 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟭 Today, we honor the lives lost, the heroes who ran toward danger, and the first responders who showed unmatched courage on that fateful day. Firefighters, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, police, and all emergency personnel exemplified selflessness, bravery, and dedication to their communities.We also remember the ongoing impact on survivors, families, and our first responder community. Let this day be a reminder of the strength, resilience, and solidarity that defines us.In memory and in service, we stand together.#Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #Local2068 #neverforget #September11 ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝘂𝘁𝘆.That reality should stop us in our tracks. A 2018 study by the Ruderman Family Foundation revealed that more firefighters and police officers died by suicide than in the line of duty that year, at least 103 firefighter suicides compared to 93 line-of-duty deaths. Experts believe the true numbers are even higher due to underreporting.For firefighters, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and law enforcement, the weight of the job is real. Long shifts, repeated trauma, and the expectation to stay strong for others take their toll. Talking about it openly is how we change this story.Your mental health matters as much as your physical health. Asking for help does not make you weak, it makes you human.If you are struggling, call 988. You are not alone, and your life matters.#Local2068 #FCFRD #fairfaxcounty #youarenotalone #endthesilence #mentalhealthmatters #FirstResponderStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗬𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻: 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲Yesterday afternoon, your Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics responded to a two-alarm house fire in the 12200 block of Folkstone Drive in Herndon. They arrived to find significant fire showing from all levels of the home and quickly went to work extinguishing the fire.We’re grateful to report there were no civilian or firefighter injuries.A special thank you to all of our members who played a role in this incident, from our 911 telecommunicators, who answered the initial call and managed dispatching and radio traffic, to the firefighters and paramedics on scene who worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control.Your safety is always our priority.#Local2068 #FairfaxCounty #FCFRD #UnionStrong #Herndon ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲: 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. September is Suicide and Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, Local 2068 is launching our campaign: “You Are Not Alone: Breaking the Silence on Suicide and Mental Health.”For too long, stigma has kept firefighters, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and apparatus mechanics from speaking up about their struggles. This campaign is about changing that. It’s about reminding each other that we are never alone in the fight, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing resources, statistics, and reminders that mental health is just as important as physical health. Let’s look out for one another, and let’s keep the conversation going.#LOCAL2068 #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #YouAreNotAlone #BreakingTheSilence #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 Earlier this week, your firefighters and paramedics responded to a two-alarm house fire in the 15400 block of Meherrin Court. Crews arrived to find significant fire showing from every level of the home and through the roof.They quickly sprang into action to bring the fire under control, completed searches, and carried out ventilation, salvage, and overhaul operations.We’re grateful to report that there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. A huge thank you to all of our firefighters, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers for their incredible hard work, dedication, and teamwork in keeping our community safe.📸Credit: @Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department #Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #UnionStrong #AlwaysReady ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 – 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝗯! Last week, our member Captain Adam Lieb was recognized for an incredible 25 years of service to the residents and visitors of Fairfax County!In a great full-circle moment, Captain Lieb began his career at Firehouse 417 right out of recruit school and today, 25 years later, he continues to serve the community as the Captain of B-Shift at Firehouse 417.Please join us in congratulating and thanking Captain Lieb for his dedication, professionalism, and hard work over the past quarter century. Fairfax County is a safer place because of his service. #Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 Back in March, we lost one of our longtime members, Captain Barry Maham, to occupational cancer. Barry dedicated 25 years of service as a Fairfax County firefighter and spent his life giving back to the community; whether through his career as a firefighter, coaching youth sports, or volunteering for various charitable organizations.He is survived by his wife, Amber, and their five children. Barry’s passing has placed a significant financial burden on his family as they continue to navigate the red tape surrounding Line of Duty death benefits.Now, we are asking the community that Barry spent his life serving to come together in support of the Maham family during this time of grief and need. 𝗔 𝗚𝗼𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗠𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.Thank you for honoring Barry’s legacy by helping care for his family.#local2068 #FairfaxCounty #FCFRD #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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