CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Recognizes January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month
For Immediate Release: Tuesday,
January 10, 2023
Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com,
850.413.2842
CFO
and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Recognizes January as Firefighter Cancer
Awareness Month
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today,
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued a edicto
recognizing January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. The month is an
opportunity to highlight the issues faced by Florida firefighters, as well as
the need for decontamination gear and firefighter cancer coverage. According to
the International
Association of Firefighters (IAFF), cancer remains the number one
line-of-duty death in the entirety of the fire service.
CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said,
“Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the very real
dangers cancer presents to Florida’s firefighters and fire service personnel.
Every day, our firefighters are exposed to harmful carcinogens, and in Florida,
it is a top priority that we protect these men and women who risk their own
lives to protect others. I am proud that we have had the support of Governor
DeSantis and the Florida Legislature in obtaining the best resources to help in
the fight against cancer in the firefighter community. Firefighting isn’t just
a job, it’s a calling and we must do everything possible to keep these heroes
safe as they work to protect us.”
Bernie Bernoska, Florida Professional
Firefighters President said, “Florida’s firefighters understand
the dangers on the job, whether that is responding to a call or the increased
risk of developing cancer, and still place themselves in harm’s way to keep
Floridians safe. I am grateful to stand beside a partner like CFO Patronis to
continue raising awareness in this fight and make sure our firefighters know
they will always have our support.”
The proclamation can be viewed below and downloaded
aquí.
WHEREAS, cancer is the most
dangerous under-recognized threat to the health and safety to our firefighters,
and occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire
service, with a direct correlation of chemical exposures on the job; and
WHEREAS, firefighters have a 9%
greater chance of being diagnosed with cancer and 14% greater chance of dying
from cancer than the general U.S. population; and
WHEREAS, there are over 200
known chemicals and contaminants found in smoke that our firefighters interact
with as a routine part of their occupations, which soil their personal protective
equipment and everything it comes in contact with, increasing their risk of
developing cancer; and
WHEREAS, critical and immediate
need for additional protective equipment to help firefighters avoid inhalation
and skin exposures to known and suspected occupational carcinogens, lead the
Florida Legislature in 2020 to develop the Firefighter Cancer Decontamination
Equipment Grant Program to provide financial assistance to help fire
departments procure equipment, supplies and educational training; and
CONSIDERANDO 75% of firefighters
recognized on the International Association of Firefighters Memorial Wall in
2022 died from occupational cancer; and
WHEREAS, the noble profession
of fire fighting already comes with a myriad of dangerous and life-threatening
risks, additional awareness and support for the increased exposure to cancer
causing carcinogens is paramount to the safety of those that choose this
profession.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED
that the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal of the State of Florida
does hereby recognize January 2023 as FIREFIGHTER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
to help provide firefighters the necessary tools
and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to
support those with a cancer diagnosis. Brining increased public awareness to
the danger firefighters face day-to-day being exposed to cancer causing
carcinogens.
IN
TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida has
hereunto subscribed his name and has caused the Official Seal of the State of
Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee on the 9th
day of January 2023.
About
CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief
Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected
official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of
Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud,
support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to
support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department
on Facebook (FLDFS) y Twitter (@FLDFS).