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.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆, 𝗞𝟵 𝗜𝘃𝗮𝗻It is with great sadness that Local 2068 recognizes the passing of K9 Ivan.Ivan served Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue & Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department with unwavering loyalty and dedication, standing beside his handler and protecting the community with courage and heart. His impact goes far beyond the calls he answered, leaving a lasting mark on those who had the privilege to work alongside him.We extend our deepest condolences to our member, Battalion Chief Kristi Bartlett, on the loss of her partner. The bond between a handler and K9 is something truly special, built on trust, commitment, and countless hours together.Ivan was more than a K9. He was family, a partner, and a protector.Please keep K9 Ivan, Kristi, and their family in your thoughts during this difficult time.#local2068 #FCFRD #VATF1 #fairfaxcounty ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿. 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿.Come out to honor the legacy and support a cause that impacts every firefighter.Local 2068 is proud to support the Capt. George Sisson Memorial 5K, benefiting the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. This event is about more than a race. It is about standing together in the fight against occupational cancer and remembering those we have lost.Firefighter cancer remains one of the greatest risks we face in this profession. Events like this help provide critical support, resources, and advocacy for our brothers and sisters.Saturday, May 16Burke Lake ParkSign up or learn more at sisson5k.comCome out, run or walk, and stand with the fire service community as we work to extinguish firefighter cancer.#Local2068 #IAFF #ExtinguishFirefighterCancer #StrongerTogether ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟱𝟲-𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸Behind every call are your Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics working a 56-hour week. Understanding the impact of these schedules helps support a stronger, healthier fire service for our community.#Local2068 #IAFF #fairfax ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂As National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week comes to a close, we want to take a moment to simply say thank you.Thank you for the long hours.Thank you for the difficult calls.Thank you for your professionalism and dedication to the community.To the Fairfax County 911 Dispatchers, your work does not go unnoticed, and it is deeply appreciated.#Local2068 #IAFF #dpsc #ThankYouDispatchers ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀.During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Local 2068 proudly recognizes and thanks our A Shift Days and A Shift Nights Fairfax County 911 Dispatchers for the calm, steady professionalism you bring to every single call.In moments of chaos, you are the voice of reassurance. In moments of uncertainty, you are the connection that guides help where it’s needed most. Your impact is felt in every life you help protect, even when you never see the outcome.On behalf of Local 2068, thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and the unwavering commitment you show every day behind the headset.We see you, we appreciate you, and we are grateful for everything you do.#Local2068 #IAFF #dpsc ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲Every call doesn’t end when the line disconnects.For Fairfax County 911 Dispatchers, the sounds, the voices, and the moments they experience don’t just disappear. They carry the weight of those calls long after the shift ends, often without the closure that comes from seeing the outcome.Day after day, they manage high-stress situations, support callers through crisis, and guide responders, all while absorbing the emotional impact that comes with it.This week, and every week, we recognize not only the work they do, but the toll it can take.To the 911 Dispatchers of Fairfax County, thank you for your strength, your professionalism, and the sacrifices you make behind the scenes.#Local2068 #IAFF #DPSC #MentalHealthMatters ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀.During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, Local 2068 proudly recognizes and thanks our B Shift Days and B Shift Nights Fairfax County 911 Dispatchers for the calm, steady professionalism you bring to every single call.In moments of chaos, you are the voice of reassurance. In moments of uncertainty, you are the connection that guides help where it’s needed most. Your impact is felt in every life you help protect, even when you never see the outcome.On behalf of Local 2068, thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and the unwavering commitment you show every day behind the headset.We see you, we appreciate you, and we are grateful for everything you do.#Local2068 #IAFF #dpsc ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲When units are dispatched, a lot has already happened.Information has been gathered. Details have been clarified. Resources have been assigned. Safety considerations have been communicated.Behind every response is a Fairfax County 911 Dispatcher ensuring that Firefighters, Paramedics, and fellow responders have what they need to do the job safely and effectively.#Local2068 #IAFF #dpsc ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀Every call is different, but the expectation is always the same.Remain calm. Gather critical information. Provide life-saving instructions. Dispatch the right resources quickly and accurately.The 911 Dispatchers of Fairfax County 911 handle high-pressure moments with professionalism and composure that often goes unseen, but never unappreciated.#Local2068 #IAFF #dpsc #FCFRD ... See MoreSee Less
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