Local 2068 Health & Safety
Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service.
At the 2023ย IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, 63% of the names added to the wall were members who had died from occupationalย 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 โ and IAFF members only โ 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.
Please ask your Congressional Representative to support this legislation. It only takes a few moments to help get this across the finish line. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.1 CommentsComment on Facebook
We ask everyone to keep the people of #jamaica and our Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue members in your thoughts and prayers as they assist with recovery efforts following #HurricaneMelissa. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฟ๐After careful review of questionnaires from all candidates for Braddock District Supervisor, IAFF Local 2068 is proud to endorse Rachna Sizemore Heizer for Board of Supervisors, Braddock District.Rachna stands out as the most qualified candidate to step into the role on day one. Her proven experience on the Fairfax County School Board, commitment to public safety, and vision for Fairfax Countyโs future make her the clear choice.She has laid out a plan that:- Prioritizes public safety- Supports County employees, including the firefighters, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers we represent- Promotes creative revenue diversification to reduce reliance on the federal government and local taxpayersWe look forward to working with Rachna to keep Fairfax County strong, safe, and moving forward.Go to Electrachna.com to find out more! #Local2068 #FairfaxCounty #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ, ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ 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.๐ธ credit: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department#Local2068 #FCFRD #fairfaxcounty #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ป, ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ: ๐๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐First 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 theyโre 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
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ โ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ญ๐ญ, ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ญ 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
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฑ๐๐๐.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
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
๐ฌ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ณ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ผ๐ผ๐ป: ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง๐๐ผ-๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒYesterday 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.Weโre 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
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ๐ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ: ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต. September is Suicide and Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, Local 2068 is launching our campaign: โYou Are Not Alone: Breaking the Silence on Suicide and Mental Health.โFor too long, stigma has kept firefighters, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and apparatus mechanics from speaking up about their struggles. This campaign is about changing that. Itโs 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, weโll be sharing resources, statistics, and reminders that mental health is just as important as physical health. Letโs look out for one another, and letโs keep the conversation going.#LOCAL2068 #fcfrd #fairfaxcounty #YouAreNotAlone #BreakingTheSilence #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook