Page 27 - UFRA Straight Tip Spring 2021 - Volume 22 Issue 2

Steps to consider when a member tells you they have cancer
1. Be supportive, offer your presence and be a good listener.
2. Offer to assist with rides to and from ap- pointments and to be a note taker.
3. Encourage them to maintain copies of all re- ports and scans if needed for further opinions.
4. ReferthemtotheFirefighterCancerSupport Network (FCSN) website,
www. FirefighterCancerSupport.org.
5. CommunicateupdatesthroughFCSNCarepages found on the homepage.
6. Encourage others to send cards and letters in the mail supporting the individual.
with a horrific facial gesture or rattling off a bunch of standard clichés only makes a difficult situation worse. A supportive reaction that uses positive dialogue and genuine concern can make all the difference in the world. A good friend of mine who’s a firefighter and also a cancer survivor told me that his diagnosis was like getting a one-way ticket to “Cancer Island,” and that the isolation, fear and relative lack of informa- tion were almost unbearable. But having someone to talk to who had a similar diagnosis, coupled with a supportive management team behind him, made his recovery a much more palatable experience.
The fire service is famous for launching an all-out attack on a problem, especially if it involves one of our own. But when it comes to cancer, we must remain focused on the individual and their needs—not our own. As supervisors and managers, we must be conscious of our demeanor and make sure that the first interaction offers hope and solidarity. We must be diligent in organizing a plan that meets the person’s needs while maintaining their dignity and honoring their wishes.
Keep Hope Alive
So how do we stop the devastating effects of cancer in the fire ser-
vice? Simple. Through prevention by early detection, better protection through the use of PPE, and annual wellness exams. The IAFF/IAFC Firefighter Fitness and Wellness Initiative has brought with it an excel- lent sense of awareness for both heart disease and cancer, and yielded many success stories by utilizing the early screening methodology. Additionally, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the remarkable efforts of people like Billy Goldfeder and Rich Duffy. Their dedication to firefighter wellness and safety and their unyielding support of the FCSN have enabled us to reach out to firefighters all over the world who have been diagnosed with cancer. It has allowed us to bring hope to our brothers and sisters who are in their hour of need, and provide an expe- ditious return ticket from “Cancer Island.”
I encourage all fire service members to register on the FCSN website, www.FirefighterCancerSupport.org, or to call toll free 866/994-FCSN (3276). Even if you’re not diagnosed with cancer, registering will allow the FCSN to communicate with you about program updates, blood/mar- row drives, fundraisers, etc.
Originally published by Fire Rescue Magazine in December 2010. Re- printed with permission.
Bryan Frieders is a retired fire chief of the Pasadena (California) Fire Department and the president of the Firefighter Can- cer Support Network. He has more than 28 years of experience in fire and EMS, a master’s degree in public administration, a bachelor’s degree in vocational education,
and an associate’s degree fire science.
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