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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK
<br /> firefighter this year in our department who has passed away from an brain tumor. The science is
<br /> there, this is clearly something that's effecting firefighters nationwide. As part of our ongoing
<br /> effort, one (1) of the things that we're going to be doing is applying for an AFT grant, Assistance
<br /> to Firefighters grant, through FEMA. This will run a research study by Steven Mopett, who is our
<br /> occupational physician out of Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Graham Peaslee, is a nuclear physicist over
<br /> at Notre Dame, who's currently doing research on different types of chemical compounds that are
<br /> causing cancer specific to the fire service. As luck would have it, while being in Notre Dame's
<br /> back yard as soon as we knew Dr. Peaslee was doing this, we reached out to him. We've been able
<br /> to kind of connect using In Focus as our program facilitator. Some of the different researchers in
<br /> the country,we have a conference call with all of these folks. One(1)of them is with a researcher,
<br /> oddly enough in Tucson,who is working with Tucson Fire,through the University of Arizona,and
<br /> another at the University of Miami. We're hoping that we're able to obtain this grant, to be able to
<br /> do a research study here locally.
<br /> He continued, Also, the department has been taking action in regard to cleaning gear and
<br /> everything, just our actions on scene. Trying to develop a culture where we reduce the risk of
<br /> exposure to our firefighters. One(1)of the things that we were able to do this year was add several
<br /> gear washing machines. I know,again,this seems like something simple,but these things are about
<br /> $10,000 apiece. And it's not as simple as just installing one (1) and plugging it in. There's
<br /> installation, a lot of other stuff, and we have to train our firefighters on how to use this equipment
<br /> appropriately and everything. Additionally, the individuals that are washing gear, they're exposed
<br /> to all the carcinogens on the firefighting gear as they're washing it. There are a lot of moving parts
<br /> to this, but we are doing what we can to possibly pick the low hanging fruit and be able to reduce
<br /> risk to our firefighters on a daily basis.
<br /> Committee Chair White asked, Any questions?
<br /> Councilmember Broden asked, are those at nine (9) and four (4) now, or, where are they, the
<br /> machines?
<br /> Chief Cox replied, When we built Station Four(4) and Station Nine (9), we incorporated those in
<br /> both buildings, and then also had one (1) installed at Station Ten (10) on the South Side, and one
<br /> (1) in Station Eleven (11) on the Northwest Side, as well. Up until last year, we only had one (1)
<br /> gear washer for two-hundred and fifty(250) firefighters. You know, you can just run that machine
<br /> all day long, and we'll never catch up. We needed the increased capacity, so at this point we
<br /> actually have gear washing machines at five(5)of the eleven(11) stations. Which, is fantastic,but
<br /> a lot of the urban departments don't even have one (1) gear washer. It sounds crazy, but in the fire
<br /> service sometimes,unfortunately,having dirty gear over the years has been kind of a mark of tough
<br /> guy image, or whatever. Unfortunately, a lot of people are suddenly realizing that that's actually
<br /> causing cancer. Our department has been very proactive in trying to make sure that we're trying to
<br /> completely change that culture. Our culture is moving towards one(1)of safety and prevention for
<br /> our firefighters, of risk management.
<br /> Councilmember Broden followed up, are there grant dollars available for that?
<br /> Chief Cox answered, for washing machines?There are sometimes. When I say that, so AFG is our
<br /> main place that we can go to for large grants. Each year they actually have a very specific item or
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