Local 2068 Health & Safety
Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service.
At the 2023 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, 63% of the names added to the wall were members who had died from occupational cancer.
In partnership with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), the IAFF has designated January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month to provide fire fighters the necessary tools and guidance to develop life-saving protocols for cancer prevention and to support those with a cancer diagnosis within their departments.
The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.
On behalf of the women and men of the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters, Paramedics, and 911 Dispatchers, we extend our sincere condolences to the families, friends, and all members of Coeur d'Alene Firefighters IAFF Local 710 and Kootenai County Fire Fighters, IAFF L2856 following this tragic loss. Our thoughts remain with those who are still hospitalized, and you have our full support during this incredibly difficult time. ... See MoreSee Less
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One of our colleagues in Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association - IAFF Local 3756 needs your help! Check out the link in their post, and help out if you can! ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿! Have you ever wondered what life is like behind the scenes at your local firehouse? Now’s your chance to find out!Every week, IAFF Local 2068 will be answering your questions about the work we do, the training we go through, what it takes to keep Fairfax County safe or anything else you may be curious about! This week's question comes from Sean Kennedy𝗤: “𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂? 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀?”A: In Fairfax County, we're proud to have a world-class Occupational Health Center, established through the leadership and advocacy of our Local. As part of our contract with the OHC, multiple behavioral health clinicians are available to support our members.In addition, our Peer Support Team, made up of both uniformed and civilian personnel, provides trained, confidential support for those experiencing behavioral health challenges.Members also have access to therapy dogs, which are available to anyone who needs a little extra comfort, and Fire Department Chaplains are always available for those who prefer a faith-based option.As for how firefighters decompress, it looks different for everyone. Some popular ways our members recharge include:🚵♂️ Mountain biking📸 Photography🎣 Fishing & hunting📚 Reading🎨 Painting🧗 Rock climbing🌍 Traveling👨👩👧👦 Spending time with friends and family🥾 Hiking🚴 CyclingMental wellness is essential, and while there’s still work to do in breaking the stigma and strengthening support, we’re proud of the progress being made and the resources now available to our members.𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿? 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆@𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝟮𝟬𝟲𝟴.𝗼𝗿𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁!And while you're at it, let us know, what are some healthy ways you decompress? We’d love to hear from you.#Local2068 #Fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #AskA2068Firefighter ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁Around 4:40 PM this evening, our members responded to a house fire in the 7500 block of Pollen Street. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke coming from a split-level home. Residents reported fire in both the kitchen and basement.Your firefighters quickly went to work, extinguishing the fire and rescuing one resident. Sadly, two dogs were found deceased inside the home. One patient was transported for medical care.Crews remain on scene to ensure all hotspots are fully extinguished and are conducting salvage operations. Once complete, investigators will begin determining the cause of the fire.𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀:Engines: E419 (Lorton), E420 (Gunston), E422 (Springfield), E437 (Kingstowne), E435 (Pohick)Ladder Trucks: T422 (Springfield), TL424 (Woodlawn), TL405 (Franconia)Rescue Squad: R419 (Lorton)EMS Units: M419 (Lorton), M424 (Woodlawn), M405 (Franconia), M435 (Pohick), EMS406, EMS405, ALS403Incident Command: BC405, BC408, SAF402, DC402Support Unit: LA437Investigators: IV09, IV04, IV10, IV03Strong work by all involved in this response, including our first line of defense, our 911 communicators who answered, dispatched, and managed the call from the very beginning.📸: PIO402#Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #dpsc ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟲𝟴! Today, we celebrate the simple joy and powerful benefits of cycling, for our health, our communities, and our environment. Whether you're a daily commuter or just dusting off your bike for a weekend ride, safety always comes first.𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀:- Wear a properly fitted helmet- Use hand signals to communicate turns- Be visible, wear bright clothing and use lights/reflectors- Don’t ride distracted, stay alert and aware of traffic- Ride predictably and follow the rules of the road𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀:- Share the road and give cyclists at least 3 feet of space- Always check mirrors and blind spots before turning or opening doors- Stay off your phone, distracted driving endangers everyone- Slow down, especially in neighborhoods or near bike lanesLet’s work together to keep our roads safe and accessible for all, and know that your Local 2068 firefighters proudly support safe, healthy, and connected communities.Want to learn more? Check out the links in the comments for more information on bike trails throughout Fairfax County. We’d also love to see your favorite spots, share your best biking photos with us in the comments!#WorldBicycleDay #Local2068 #FairfaxCounty #FCFRD #ShareTheRoad ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿Over the weekend, some of our members had the incredible opportunity to reunite with not just a patient, but a life they helped save.On February 26th, 2025, our members from Rescue Squad 414 (Burke) and members of IAFF Local 2702 City of Fairfax Professional Firefighters and Paramedics on Medic 403 (Fairfax City) responded to a call for a 4-year-old girl who had been struck by a vehicle. The situation was critical, and thanks to the swift, skilled response of your firefighters and paramedics, Charlotte received life-saving care and was transported quickly to the hospital.We’re thrilled to share that Charlotte has made a full recovery, and even better, she stopped by the firehouse over the weekend to visit the crews who helped save her life.Charlotte, your strength, smile, and bright spirit brought joy to everyone in the firehouse. Your story is a true miracle, and it reminds us all why we do what we do.#Local2068 #FCFRD #fairfaxcounty #FairfaxCity ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!Local 2068 proudly celebrates our LGBTQIA+ members and the broader community we serve. We remain committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organization where everyone is respected, valued, and supported. ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿! Have you ever wondered what life is like behind the scenes at your local firehouse? Now’s your chance to find out!Every week, IAFF Local 2068 will be answering your questions about the work we do, the training we go through, what it takes to keep Fairfax County safe or anything else you may be curious about! To kick things off, here’s our first question:𝗤: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀?A: While we’re not responding to emergencies, we’re still hard at work staying ready for the next one. Firefighters must complete ongoing continuing education and regular training to maintain certifications and sharpen our skills. We also dedicate time each day to physical training to ensure we're fit and ready to respond. In addition, we conduct street drills and area familiarization to know the fastest and safest routes in our response areas, because seconds count in an emergency.We’re also active in the community, participating in outreach and education activities. Whether it’s visiting local schools, hosting fire station tours, or attending neighborhood events, we do this to build stronger relationships with the residents we serve and to ensure our community is armed with the latest fire prevention information.Have a question you want answered? Drop it in the comments below or email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured in a future post!#Local2068 #FairfaxCounty #FCFRD #PublicSafety #AskAFireFighter ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟴 – 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗲 (𝗖-𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁)! Please join us in congratulating Master Technician Jason Roberts and Captain Ryan Beuttenmuller of Fire Station 8, Annandale (C-Shift) on their recent achievements!MT Jason Roberts was honored with a certificate recognizing 25 years of dedicated service to Fairfax County. His professionalism, commitment, and leadership have made a lasting impact on both the department and the community he serves.Captain Ryan Beuttenmuller received his official promotion certificate to the rank of Captain, a well-deserved recognition of his hard work, leadership, and dedication to the fire service. Congratulations to both of you on these outstanding milestones. #Local2068 #FCFRD #fairfaxcounty ... See MoreSee Less
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