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.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶!Today we proudly celebrate Captain Alessi on his well-deserved retirement after 25 years of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of Fairfax County.Throughout his career, Captain Alessi went above and beyond, including serving as the Health & Safety Director for Local 2068 for several years, playing a pivotal role in strengthening cancer presumptions, advancing cancer prevention and reduction efforts, and championing our members’ rights when it came to workers’ compensation and workplace injury support.He also represented our Union during several significant incident investigations, always advocating to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of members, ensuring the lessons learned from these incidents could be used to prevent similar situations in the future.Captain Alessi’s leadership, advocacy, and passion for protecting the fire service family will be greatly missed, but his impact will continue to be felt for years to come.Congratulations, Carmen! Thank you for your service, and enjoy the next chapter of your journey, you’ve earned it!#Local2068 #FairfaxCounty #UnionStrong #FCFRD ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗮-𝗚𝘂𝘇𝗺𝗮𝗻! Please join us in congratulating 2068-member Firefighter Jorge Reyna-Guzman on successfully completing his probationary year!Assigned to Fire Station 28 Fort Buffalo, C-Shift, Jorge has put in the hard work, dedication, and commitment it takes to earn his black shield! A big shoutout to his entire crew at Firehouse 28 for mentoring, pushing, and supporting him every step of the way over the past year. This milestone is a reflection of both his efforts and the strength of his crew.Keep up the great work! #Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟵𝟭𝟭 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀This week, Ladder Truck Companies across the County completed training on new battery-powered hydraulic extrication tools, hightlighted here is the training led by Rescue 408. This equipment will now be carried on all truck companies to help save lives faster and more efficiently.On August 1, crews responded to a commercial building fire on Oakwood Rd in Rose Hill with fire showing from multiple windows. Quick work by your firefighters contained the fire and prevented injuries.On the afternoon of August 3, firefighters arrived to fire showing from solar panels on a home in Reston. Crews contained the fire to the roof. The cause was determined to be a faulty solar panel.Later that evening, firefighters battled a 2-alarm garden-style apartment fire in Annandale. They located and extinguished a fire in a third-floor apartment. Sadly, one pet was found deceased. Fourteen units were affected, but no civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. On Wednesday evening, multiple vehicles were involved in a crash near Edsall Road and I-395. Several patients were transported to the hospital, including one who required extrication by Rescue 408 after becoming trapped in their vehicle.Your Local 2068 firefighters, paramedics and 911 dispatchers continue to train hard and stand ready to serve the residents and visitors of Fairfax County 24/7/365. 📸 credit: Wes' Sister On Fire & Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department PIO#Local2068 #FairfaxCounty #FCFRD #Firefighters #OnTheJob #AlwaysReady ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝟰𝟭𝟴 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗶𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲Today we’re shining a spotlight on our members at Firehouse 418 Jefferson, C-Shift, who were recently recognized for their outstanding efforts assisting hospital staff at Inova Fairfax Hospital.When called in to help safely remove a patient’s hand from a piece of machinery, this crew used their unique training, teamwork, and technical expertise to support hospital staff ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient.This is just one example of how your firefighters, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers go above and beyond every single day wherever and whenever they’re needed.Please join us in recognizing:Lieutenant Matthew CisloMaster Technician Stephanie LelandTechnician TROT Jeffrey PfeiferTechnician TROT William Wagner#Local2068 #fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #Unionstrong ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶! Please join us in congratulating 2068-member Firefighter Chris Venditti on successfully completing his probationary year!Assigned to Fire Station 10 Bailey’s Crossroads, C-Shift, Chris has put in the hard work, dedication, and commitment it takes to earn his black shield! A big shoutout to his entire crew at Firehouse 10 for mentoring, pushing, and supporting him every step of the way over the past year. This milestone is a reflection of both his efforts and the strength of his crew.Keep up the great work! #Local2068 #Fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 We’re proud to highlight the incredible work of one of our own at the 911 Public Safety Communications Center, PSC Zion Anderson.On the evening of July 12, PSC Anderson took a 911 call from a distressed caller whose partner had collapsed after complaining of chest pain. The caller described “snoring sounds” a telltale sign of agonal breathing. Without hesitation, PSC Anderson recognized the signs of cardiac arrest, initiated the adult CPR protocol, and calmly began guiding the caller through chest compressions, all within 1 minute and 25 seconds of the call being placed.Despite the high-stress situation, PSC Anderson remained calm, compassionate, and clear. She reassured the caller, counted compressions aloud, and offered steady guidance until our Fire and EMS crews arrived.That teamwork, from dispatch to doorstep, made all the difference.The patient was transported to an area Hospital, and we’re proud to share that they were discharged with no neurological deficits and is now home with their partner and young child.The caller expressed their heartfelt gratitude for PSC Anderson's empathy and professionalism, saying it was her voice, her calm, and her instructions that saved their partners life.This is just one of the many high-stakes moments that 911 dispatchers face during their shifts and throughout their careers. These calls highlight why dispatchers must be recognized and classified as first responders, because they are the first first responders in the emergency response chain.Join us in recognizing PSC Zion Anderson for her incredible skill, quick thinking, and the lifesaving impact of her work. This is what dedication looks like.#Local2068 #DPSC #Fairfaxcounty #FCFRD #BehindTheHeadset #Lifesaver #FairfaxCounty911 ... See MoreSee Less
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𝟮𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 On July 31, 2000, the members of Fairfax County’s 101st Recruit School began their journey in public service.Today, we proudly celebrate their 25th anniversary of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of Fairfax County.Thank you for your unwavering commitment, sacrifice, and professionalism over the past quarter-century. Here's to 25 years of excellence and counting!#Local2068 #FairfaxFire #FCFRD #FairfaxCounty #UnionStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝘇𝗠𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱!After 28 years of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of Fairfax County, Master Tech Holland is hanging up his gear and heading into a well-earned retirement.His final assignment was Firehouse 419 (Lorton), C-Shift and his impact there and throughout the department will not be forgotten.Please join us in wishing him a long, happy, and healthy retirement as he begins this next chapter! Thank you for your service, brother. #Local2068 #FCFRD #retirement #fairfaxcounty #lortonva #UnionStrong #IAFF ... See MoreSee Less
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