The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a frequent collaborator with the IAFF, launched its Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-being Oct. 7.
The initiative aims to improve the health and safety of fire fighters by addressing specific hazards faced in the line of work. The center will focus on immediate dangers and long-term health risks.
“Fire fighters are vital to the safety of our communities, risking their health and safety to protect our own,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, MD. “The Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-being allows NIOSH to bring together our research and knowledge in a way to better protect fire fighters from both immediate and long-term risks from their jobs.”
The center will streamline communication between NIOSH and partner organizations. The goal is to enable faster responses to emerging threats in firefighting, coordinate research on critical issues like hazardous exposures, evaluate PPE, and focus on health conditions of wildland fire fighters.
In addition, the new center will oversee programs like the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer and conduct health hazard evaluations and fatality investigations. These efforts aim to refine and prioritize research to prevent injury and illness among fire fighters.
“The IAFF shares NIOSH’s vision for making our dangerous job safer,” General President Edward Kelly said. “We have proudly worked together on important projects like the Fireground Survival Training programand we are pleased to be supporting this center.”
Visit the Center for Firefighter Safety, Health, and Well-being for more information
