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.
On behalf of the members of IAFF Local 2068, we extend our condolences to Arlington County and our brothers and sisters of IAFF Arlington Local 2800 during this difficult time.We stand with you in solidarity as you navigate this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your department, and the family and friends affected. ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: “𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂,” 𝗔 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿We encourage all members, families, and supporters to take 27 minutes to watch “Dying to Save You," a moving documentary that follows three Phoenix, AZ Local 493 fire captains as they share the devastating impact of occupational cancer on firefighters and their families.Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths in the United States. Tragically, here in Fairfax, we are seeing the same devastating trend, with increasing diagnoses and even LODDs among our own brothers and sisters.This is not just a national crisis, it's personal.We must continue to raise awareness, push for protections, and support our members facing this fight. Watch. Share. Advocate.Watch the full documentary here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2f_F4BD7vQ#Local2068 #DyingToSaveYou #OccupationalCancer #FirefighterCancer ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟵-𝟭-𝟭 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀! Wednesday marked major progress: the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved the Enhancing First Response Act (S.725), bipartisan legislation that would finally reclassify Public Safety Telecommunicators as Protective Service Occupations.This is the first time this legislation has cleared a Senate committee, building real momentum in both the House and Senate.IAFF Local 2068 joins the National Emergency Number Association in applauding Senators Amy Klobuchar, Marsha Blackburn, and all cosponsors for championing this long-overdue measure. We also thank Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell for their leadership.We represent Fairfax County 911 Tele-Communicators, and believe they are the FIRST first responders, and they deserve recognition, respect, and proper classification for the critical role they play in public safety.We urge the full Senate to act quickly and get this done!🔗 Learn more: www.nena.org/news/news.asp?id=699946#911saves #Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #fairfax911 ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝟰𝟮𝟲 Last week, our dedicated members at Firehouse 426 took advantage of some downtime between calls to sharpen their skills with a vehicle extrication drill. They focused on stabilizing vehicles in challenging positions, including those resting on their sides or roofs, ensuring they're ready for any scenario they may face on the road.Hands-on training like this keeps our members sharp and our community safe. Every drill brings us one step closer to saving lives when seconds count.#Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #edsallroad #IAFF ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆Since his election to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995, his leadership as Chairman beginning in 2003, and his service in Congress since 2009, Congressman Gerry Connolly has been a steadfast ally of IAFF Local 2068 and a champion for firefighters, paramedics, 911 tele-communicators and public safety professionals.From local initiatives to federal support, he has always stood with labor and fought for the resources our members need to serve the community safely and effectively.We thank Congressman Connolly for his decades of dedicated service and unwavering support. As he enters this next chapter, we wish him nothing but the best. His voice will be missed in the halls of Congress, but he will always be a friend to labor and Local 2068.#Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #IAFF ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲-𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟰𝟮𝟬Over the coming days and weeks, we’ll be highlighting powerful public testimony from Fairfax County residents speaking out against the proposed reductions to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue in the FY26 Advertised Budget.We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community, and we encourage residents to keep raising their voices, your advocacy is making a difference.Today, we’re highlighting powerful testimony from Mason Neck Citizens Association President Nancy Wilochka, who represents nearly 2,000 residents in the Mason Neck community. President Wilochka spoke passionately about the unique challenges her community faces and underscored the critical need for Ambulance 420.This issue is personal, ten years ago, she needed that very ambulance. In her own words, “The service didn’t just help me, it saved me.”Her story is a strong reminder of what’s at stake. We’re committed to doing everything it takes to ensure Fairfax County residents continue to receive the high-quality Fire and Rescue services they deserve.Stay tuned as we continue to share more voices from the community who are standing with us to protect the critical services our residents depend on 24/7/365.#Local2068 #FCFRD #IAFF #FairfaxCounty #GunstonVA #FairOaksVA #LortonVA #CliftonVA #FairfaxStationVA #Crosspointe #HerndonVA ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗳𝗮𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆Over the coming days and weeks, we’ll be highlighting powerful public testimony from Fairfax County residents speaking out against the proposed reductions to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue in the FY26 Advertised Budget.We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community, and we encourage residents to keep raising their voices, your advocacy is making a difference.Today, we’re spotlighting Charles McAndrew, a lifelong Fairfax County resident, who delivered a strong testimony against Public Safety Reductions in the FY26 budget. His words were a reminder of what’s at stake.We’re committed to doing everything it takes to ensure Fairfax County residents continue to receive the high-quality Fire and Rescue services they deserve.Stay tuned as we continue to share more voices from the community who are standing with us to protect the critical services our residents depend on 24/7/365.#Local2068 #FCFRD #IAFF #FairfaxCounty #GunstonVA #FairOaksVA #LortonVA #CliftonVA #FairfaxStationVA #Crosspointe #HerndonVA ... See MoreSee Less
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Today, we honor the life and legacy of Captain Kim Schoppa on the third anniversary of her Line of Duty Death.Captain Schoppa was a deeply respected member of our department who dedicated her career to serving others with kindness, compassion, and unwavering leadership. She touched countless lives, not just as an exceptional firefighter and mentor, but as a friend to so many within our fire service family.Kim’s courageous battle with occupational cancer reminds us of the very real risks firefighters face every day. Her legacy lives on in the lives she impacted, the example she set, and the love she shared with all who had the privilege to know her.Today, and every day, we remember Captain Schoppa. We honor her. We miss her. We carry her spirit forward in our service to our community and to one another. #local2068 #FCFRD #fairfaxcounty #FairfaxVA ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Over the coming days and weeks, we’ll be highlighting powerful public testimony from Fairfax County residents speaking out against the proposed reductions to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue in the FY26 Advertised Budget.We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community, and we encourage residents to keep raising their voices, your advocacy is making a difference.Today, we’re spotlighting Alexia Poe, a lifelong Fairfax County resident, who delivered heartfelt testimony on the importance of Ambulance 416 to the Clifton community and beyond. Her words were a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.We will never stop fighting to ensure Alexia, and all Fairfax County residents, receive the premier Fire and Rescue services they deserve.Stay tuned as we continue to share more voices from the community who are standing with us to protect the critical services our residents depend on 24/7/365.#Local2068 #FCFRD #IAFF #FairfaxCounty #GunstonVA #FairOaksVA #LortonVA #CliftonVA #FairfaxStationVA #Crosspointe #HerndonVA ... See MoreSee Less
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