The Day The Membership Took Back the Fire Service from Industry.
On Tuesday morning January 28th, 2021 while anxious to know what was happening in IAFF Conference 55 regarding Resolution 28, I would record the following 45 minute reading of ‘The Real Cancer In Your Gear.. the Epilogue’.
Facebook live video: https://www.facebook.com/diane.cotter.5/videos/10164818228060092
I would make certain to isolate my intentions to GP Schaitberger as I was concerned anyone associated with me would be branded in some way, as many involved are young people with decades to go in their careers.
We would learn the voting on Resolutions 28 and 31 would not take place until Friday, the last day of convention.
Resolution 28 was written by Captain Sean Mitchell of Nantucket Local 2509 and Jason Burns, Fmr President Local 1314 — both of Massachusetts.
Resolution 31 from Florida
At 36 years old Jason was one month into his tenure as Local 1314 President when one of his best friends, firefighter Paul Chippendale, 37, would be diagnosed and succumb to a rare brain cancer in February 2013. Paul would leave a wife and two young daughters…
24 months later in March 2015, Jason would repeat the actions and steps required of a President when 32 year old firefighter Adam Franco would succumb to brain cancer.
As you would expect, Adam’s son Logan was not alone on his first day of school, his fellow firefighters were there to walk him in..
In September 2014 my husband Paul would be promoted to Lieutenant of Local 1009, Worcester, MA fire department. One month later the career was over and we were fighting for Paul’s life. In January of 2015 Paul’s prostate cancer surgery left him unable to fulfill the duties required to be a firefighter.
In March of 2017, Editor Jon Marr of Station Pride introduced a new article. ‘The Real Cancer in Your Gear’ — The subject was now out in the open and things really started to heat up.
In 2017 I reached out to the science community and found Notre Dame nuclear physicist, Dr Graham Peaslee, who had no affiliation with the fire service. He now needs no introduction to any firefighter.
In June of 2020 our Last Call Foundation Study was published after extensive peer review: Download here from their page:
Meanwhile, the years would tick by and we would see the discussion of PFAS in the fire service become mainstream.
We persisted to help move the needle with the help of heavy hitters Rob Bilott, Graham Peaslee and the Fire Engineering team of Halton, Ricci, Norwood
But in Fall of 2019, on the the beautiful island of Nantucket a tragedy was unfolding. Another young fire family was diagnosed with cancer. Testicular cancer.
Captain Sean Mitchell of Local 2509, would write his first article for Fire Engineering telling the story of his efforts of outreach and of the hardship this cancer diagnosis had on the family of Captain Nate Barber..
In the Fall of 2019, I heard some devastating news. My good friend and fellow firefighter, 38-year-old Captain Nate Barber, was diagnosed with testicular cancer and would be leaving the island immediately for further care in Boston. The cancer crisis, which had been running rampant throughout the fire service, had officially hit home. Having cancer and living on an island meant that Nate would have to leave his wife and two young boys to travel back and forth to Boston for every appointment, sometimes spending entire weeks away. This meant hours and hours of ferry rides followed by long hours in the car. All of this because his job made him sick.
Nate and Ayesha Barber’s story:
Weeks ago.. our collective hearts sank, as we heard the news that Matt Alba, of San Francisco Firefighter Cancer Prevention Foundation, was diagnosed with a form of brain cancer. Matt has had surgery, and we hear is doing well, and can use your positive thoughts.
If there is a fighter in this membership, who is as relentless as he is passionate about firefighter cancer awareness, it is Matt.
As we said when we heard the news. There isn’t a mountain his San Francisco Local 798 and SFFCPF partner Tony Steffani won’t move for him.
But, if you think it was ‘wifey’ that first discovered this rabbit hole you’d be wrong.. It was Eric Lamar.. in 2014.. He tried to warn the membership. But wow was the climate hot for him…
3:20 ish? we’d get word that #Resolution28 was on deck… At approximately 3:40 EST on January 28 we would send Jason and Sean a picture of us ready to pop the champagne.. saying, “we believe” !!
… We were going to celebrate regardless of the outcome on the floor.. We wanted these leaders to know we believed in them and their work.. That they and their wives, and children have sacrificed for.
Seconds later Sean and Jason would both reply — “POP IT !!!!”
I was in disbelief… look at the numbers here !!
1536 YES ………… 10 NO…. 99 PERCENT !!!!!!!
(Paul says those ten probably thought they were voting yes lol !!
WATCH THE ENTIRE RESOLUTION DISCUSSION HERE: … and … thank you Ricky Walsh.. for remembering Paul and me…
So, congratulations Massachusetts, and Florida, for being leaders and getting your resolutions through in one session… I hear that’s pretty remarkable.
By days end, I would hear from two IAFF leaders.. while I won’t tell you what they said as those were private messages that I will forever cherish.. I can tell you it was GST Ed Kelly, and District 7 VP Ricky Walsh. The two leaders who were the only ones to acknowledge the email I sent to the IAFF Exec Board in July 2020. Again, neither knew the other contacted me then, or now..
Housekeeping:
Before I turn the PFAS in PPE issue — within the IAFF — back to the IAFF members.
Some time back, it is my belief it was GP Schaitberger who would issue an order advising leaders to distance themselves from Paul and me. It was painful, and it was wrong. I know many of you close to our work were put in a horrible position.
I release you from that burden today.
Know that when you see me at legislative events regarding PFAS you will be greeted with a smile and a handshake on my part.
And that means all of you who know that order came between us.
Lastly, as the day would end, and Paul and I were alone… and the gravity of what had occurred set in, I could not help become emotional again.. as I tear up easily, Paul would ask, “what’s wrong, you should be so happy”.. I replied, I’m deliriously happy, I only wish you were still there”… He said with that tone he always uses when we say we wish he was still on the job, “I wish that every day too….”
So.. Jason, Sean, You have the ship.. but know I’m always watching.
xo
d