After a Portland firefighter dies of most cancers, firefighters will stay on guard at Station 21 till December 4th.
Portland Hearth & Rescue Lt. Jerry Richardson died on November 19 on the age of 56 after a 3 12 months battle with lung most cancers. He had served for the town for 22 years earlier than the lethal illness brought on by preventing a number of fires was found.
This week, his colleagues are honoring him by standing vigil over his urn at Station 21 for 2 hours in a standard ceremony with roots within the paramilitary construction of the hearth departments.
Portland firefighters manned all obtainable shifts inside two hours of turning into obtainable. The solemn vigils will final on December 4th.
Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown and Mayor Ted Wheeler additionally ordered flags flying for 4 days to honor Richardson.
Varied varieties of most cancers are presumed occupational dangers for firefighters. Many are brought on by publicity to poisonous chemical compounds in smoke throughout fires. Most cancers has lengthy been a number one explanation for loss of life for Portland Hearth Division staff.
[Related: “For Oregon firefighters, cancer is occupational hazard”]
“Please take a second to pause and mirror on the selfless and harmful work so many in our metropolis are doing to maintain us protected,” mentioned Portland Hearth Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty.
Hearth Division spokesman Terry Foster mentioned security was nearly a secondary consideration when he and Richardson have been employed many years in the past.
“The primary time you stroll in, the one factor that issues to you is to stroll into the (burning) constructing,” mentioned Foster. “We used to by no means put on a self-contained respiration equipment throughout the overhaul. Once I began, generally you have been so drained that you just did not take a bathe. You place off your issues and handed out in mattress that morning and see how black your enamel are. ”
The instances have modified. At present, mentioned hearth division chief Sara Boone, security has a a lot greater precedence. At present, Boone mentioned, firefighters should bathe inside an hour of getting back from a hearth to scrub away harmful particles.
“We additionally purchased a substitute set of factors for each firefighter so they might clear soiled factors after every hearth, hoods to dam particles and put in diesel exhaust extractors in stations,” mentioned Boone. “As we discovered extra, we applied many different security measures to cut back most cancers.”
Firefighters are inspired to have an annual on-duty bodily examination to assist detect most cancers early when it is far more treatable, Boone mentioned.
“We additionally preserve data of firefighters publicity to incident responses in an effort to set up a causal hyperlink between the responses and the occupational illness. As extra info emerges from analysis into cancer-causing points, Portland Hearth & Rescue and our Security Committee will proceed to make coverage suggestions and adjustments. to be proactive for the protection of our members. ”
Incapacity and loss of life advantages for Portland Firefighters are offered by the Metropolis of Hearth & Police Incapacity & Retirement Fund. Director Samuel Hutchison mentioned it doesn’t observe what number of Portland firefighters are eligible for cancer-related advantages, however that challenges are very uncommon.
“I can solely keep in mind a couple of instances, and solely probably, when a firefighter identified with lung most cancers was a heavy smoker,” mentioned Hutchison.
Richardson had preceded his brother Eddie Richardson, his cousins Jeff Reynolds and Neil Reynolds, his stepfather Clint Withers, and his grandparents in loss of life. He leaves behind his spouse Heather, youngsters Eddie Kaylee, father Harold, mom Sharon, and lots of different members of the family and pals.
On Saturday, December 4th, the Richardson Household and Portland Hearth & Rescue will host a personal celebration of life at New Heights Church in Vancouver, WA at 11:00 AM. The Portland Hearth Honor Guard will current Lieutenant Richardson with full hearth service awards. The complete navy honors might be awarded at a later date when Lt. Richardson is buried. The service is streamed right here: youtu.be/CEDuraH3zxE
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