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.
𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 - 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗳𝗮𝘅 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Overnight, your Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics responded to a two-alarm house fire in the 6500 block of Kilkenny Lane in Fairfax Station.Crews arrived to find a single-family home with a large volume of fire showing from the roof. Through quick, coordinated efforts, the fire was brought under control. All occupants were safely accounted for, and there were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.We want to thank and recognize every firefighter, paramedic, and 911 dispatcher involved for their professionalism, teamwork, and rapid response in mitigating this emergency and protecting the community.Responding units:Engines: Engine 432 (Fairview), Engine 414 (Burke), Engine 441 (Crosspointe), Engine 427 (West Springfield), Engine 435 (Pohick), Engine 416 (Clifton), Engine 423 (West Annandale)Ladder Trucks: Truck 441 (Crosspointe), Tower 403 (Fairfax City), Tower 440 (Fairfax Center), Truck 422 (Springfield)Rescue Squads: Rescue 405 (Pohick), HAZMAT 401 (Fairfax Center) EMS Units:Medic 432(Fairview), Medic 414 (Burke), Medic 435 (Pohick), Medic 403(Fairfax City), EMS402, EMS403, ALS403Incident Command: Battalion Chief 443, Battalion Chief 407, Battalion Chief 405, Battalion Chief 408, Safety Officer 401, Deputy Chief 401Support Units: Light & Air 423, PIO402Investigators: IVO3, IV14📸 Credit: Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department (PIO402) #local2068 #FairfaxCounty #FCFRD #virginina #IAFF #PublicSafety ... See MoreSee Less
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Cancer is now the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths.Nearly 3 out of every 4 firefighters lost in the line of duty are taken by occupational cancers.Local 2068 in support of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Firefighter Cancer Support Network, Virginia and Virginia Professional Fire Fighters continues to push for stronger cancer presumptions, better workplace safety standards, and long-term care for our members because surviving the job should never mean paying for it later.#Local2068 #IAFF #FCSN #Cancer #FCFRD ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟲𝟴As we welcome 2026, January also marks Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recommit to protecting those who protect our community.Throughout this month, we will focus on education, prevention, and early detection, providing firefighters and their families with the tools, resources, and support needed to reduce risk and ensure no one faces cancer alone.We encourage all members to regularly visit the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, Virginia website for updated resources, best practices, and shareable content, and to participate in or plan a department safety stand-down to reinforce proven, life-saving cancer prevention measures.A new year. A renewed commitment to our health, our families, and each other.#firefightercancerawareness #FCFRD #FairfaxVA#Local2068 ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 & 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your Fairfax County Firefighters, Paramedics, 911 Communicators, and Apparatus Mechanics.A special thank you to all of our members who are working this holiday and spending time away from their families to protect and serve our community. We are deeply grateful for everything you do to keep Fairfax County safe, today and every day.Stay safe and enjoy the season.#IAFF #Local2068 #fairfaxva #fairfaxcounty ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱Just before 5:00 a.m. Saturday, your Fairfax County Firefighters and Paramedics were dispatched to a house fire in the 9300 block of Castle Hill Road. Crews arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames.With all occupants safely out and accounted for, firefighters immediately transitioned to a defensive attack. Due to the intensity of the fire, a second alarm was requested, bringing additional units to the scene. The fire was brought under control quickly.One civilian was transported for evaluation. No firefighter injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation.Thank you to all of our members who responded, and to our 911 telecommunicators, the first line of defense when seconds matter.𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀: 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: Engine 435 (Pohick), Engine 441 (Crosspointe), Engine 427 (West Springfield), Engine 414 (Burke), Engine 432 (Fairview), Engine 422 (Springfield), Engine 419 (Lorton), Engine 405 (Franconia), Engine 403 (Fairfax City)𝗟𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀: Truck 441(Crosspointe), Truck 422 (Springfield) , Tower 440 (Fairfax Center) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲𝘀: Rescue Squad 405 (Pohick) Rescue Squad 408 (Edsall Rd), HAZAMT 401 (Fairfax Center), HAZMAT Support 401 (Fairfax Center)𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀: Medic 435 (Pohick), Ambulance 441 (Crosspointe), EMS402, Ambulance 437 (Kingstowne), Medic 432 (Fairview), ALS403, Medic 414 (Burke), EMS403 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱: Battalion Chief 405, Battalion Chief 443, Safety Officer 402, Battalion Chief 408, Deputy Chief 407, Deputy Chief 402, Battalion Chief 407𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀: Light & Air 437 (Kingstowne), REHAB413 (Dunn Loring)𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: IV04, IV13, IV14, IV11, IV06📸🎥 Credit: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department PIO #Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #IAFF #Virginia ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀In a major victory for our profession, the U.S. Senate has passed the IAFF-endorsed Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act as part of the NDAA. This landmark legislation finally recognizes occupational cancer as a line-of-duty death, ensuring our fallen brothers and sisters are honored and their families are supported.After years of advocacy by the IAFF, this bipartisan bill now heads to the President to be signed into law, bringing long-overdue federal recognition, expanded PSOB benefits, and critical protections for survivors.This is a powerful step forward in taking care of our members and the families of those we’ve lost.#IAFF #Local2068 #firefighterhealth #cancerawareness ... See MoreSee Less
Senate passes Honor Act, recognizing fire fighter cancer as line-of-duty death - IAFF
www.iaff.org
In a historic development, the U.S. Senate has passed the IAFF-endorsed Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act1 CommentsComment on Facebook
𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻Earlier this week, your Fairfax firefighters were proud to assist with the annual holiday toy drive for families in need, hosted by Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue. This incredible organization was founded by one of our own longtime members, retired Deputy Chief Willie Bailey.What began as a one-time event has now continued for more than two decades and has grown far beyond a toy drive. Today, the organization also supports our community through backpack and school supply drives, as well as winter coat drives, making a meaningful impact year-round.A special thank you to our members at Firehouse 11 for their assistance, and to all of our active and retired members who continue to show up and support this outstanding event. Your dedication truly reflects the spirit of service that defines our profession.Proud to serve. Proud to give back.📸Credit: Elliot Rubino#Local2068 #fairfax #fairfaxcounty #FairfaxVA #IAFF ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟲𝟴 A dry Christmas tree can become a serious fire hazard in seconds. Keeping your tree well-watered throughout the holiday season is one of the easiest and most important steps you can take to protect your family and home.- Check the water level every day- Keep the tree stand full at all times- A well-watered tree is far less likely to igniteA few minutes a day can make a big difference. Let’s keep the holidays safe, warm, and memorable, for all the right reasons.Stay safe, Fairfax County!🎥credit: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)#fairfaxva #FCFRD #local2068 #IAFF #holidayseason #holidaysafetytips ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗸𝗸𝗮𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟲𝟴 To our members, families, and community who celebrate, we wish you a happy and peaceful Hanukkah. May the light of the menorah bring hope, comfort, and joy to your homes throughout the holiday.Wishing you a safe and meaningful Festival of Lights. ... See MoreSee Less
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