The Unanticipated Dangers of Firefighting

DUNCAN FALLS, Ohio – Firefighters often enter dangerous situations that present obvious hazards but the dangers of toxic fumes and residues usually get overlooked.

Wayne Township Fire Department Fire Chief Donald Alexander explained how their department is taking measures to protect their firefighters after cancer caused the death of one of their volunteers. 

“This piece of machinery filters out the contaminants, the off gas out of the turnout gear when we come back after a run,” Alexander said. “The really dirty gear gets washed but everybody’s gear isn’t. Inside gear that can absorb the smoke or whatever, there’s still contaminants on it and that’s been linked to cancer. And so this machine sits here and it will run all the time and sanitizes the air in this room.”

A section of the fire station was remodeled to provide a locker room to store the turnout gear and equipment. What’s more is that the new air-handler was made possible by a $5,000 dollar donation from a local civic organization.

Fraternal Order of the Eagles Lodge 302 Financial Secretary Doug Geyer discussed how his organization appreciates opportunities to support the wide variety of causes and needs that can make a difference within the community. 

“(The) Eagles motto is people helping people,” Geyer said. “And you know if we can help the volunteers stay safe and help all the people in the community, they’re helping us too. In the last three months alone we’ve given $90,000 dollars to the community. Whether it be Christ’s Table, Kiwanis, Zanesville Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, Police Department, Carr Center.”

Geyer added that their biggest concern was finding needs to address within the community so that all of their charitable funds could stay local.