Study finds higher levels of potentially harmful chemicals in volunteer firefighters

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Piscataway, NJ — A recent study of volunteer firefighters shows that their bodies have higher levels of “forever chemicals” than those of people in the general public, and the amount of these potentially harmful substances likely rises with time and exposures.

Researchers from Rutgers University measured the levels of nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in the blood of 135 volunteer firefighters and compared them with the levels found in members of the general public. Findings show that higher amounts of the chemicals are present in the volunteer firefighters. One substance, perfluorododecanoic acid, was discovered in 80% of the firefighters but scarcely seen in the members of the public.

Although more than 4,000 PFAS exist, the researchers tracked the chemicals with greatest prevalence among the general public, per a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evaluation. Found in everyday items such as carpeting, food packaging and electronics, PFAS have been “associated with multiple adverse human health outcomes” such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, immune suppression and cancer, the researchers say.

Additionally, results show that higher chemical levels are linked to a greater number of years spent firefighting. In a press release, lead study author Judith Graber, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, suggests volunteer firefighters may accrue more on-the-job exposure to PFAS than career firefighters, as they always are on call. Potential channels to exposure include firefighters’ protective gear and fires that burn items containing PFAS, according to the study.

The release notes that volunteer firefighters account for more than 65% of the U.S. fire service.

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Calaveras County Volunteer Firefighters

Calaveras County consists of 10 volunteer fire departments:

  • Altavile/Melones
  • Angles Camp
  • Central Fire
  • Copperopolis
  • Ebbetts Pass
  • Calaveras Consolidated Fire
  • Mokelumne Hill
  • Murphys Fire
  • San Andreas
  • West Point Fire

The CCFCA fire agencies are located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 188 miles east of San Francisco and 135 miles west of Lake Tahoe in California. Found midway on State Highway 49, between Sacramento and Yosemite, Calaveras County links the two towns of the California Gold Country. With an average of 6,000 fire and emergency service calls a year, our 11 fire districts serve a rural area of 45,578 people. We provide fire protection and rescue service to 1,020 square miles of rural area. Our 11 volunteer agencies respond to structure fires, wild land fires, medical emergencies, water rescue, technical rope rescue, hazardous materials spills, public service assistance calls and other emergencies. The Calaveras County Fire Agencies protects an area that is 66% rural wild land, 21% residential, and 3% commercial, including Calaveras Big Trees State Park, a preserve of Giant Sequoia trees, located in the county several miles east of the town of Arnold.

Calaveras County Volunteer Firefighter Selection Criteria

Below is a list of the selection criteria each department requires in order to consider an application for volunteer firefighter. Read the criteria and make sure that you qualify, then click the Apply button to complete your application online.

Fire Department

Must Live in District

Required Certifications

Comments

Altavile/Melones

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

Angels Camp

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record. Physical exam and agility test. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

Central Fire

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

Copperopolis

No

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Under 18 Cadet Program available. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

Ebbetts Pass

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

Calaveres Consolidated Fire

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

Mokelumne Hill

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean background check. Physical exam and pass a drug and alcohol test. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided. Must receive Class B license within the 1 year probation period.
 

Murphys Fire

No

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

San Andreas

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

West Point Fire

Yes

None

Must be over 18 with a clean record & in good health. Valid DL. Participate in an interview. Training provided.

 

Napa County Volunteer Firefighters

  • The NCFA helps protect over 125,000 citizens and has 9 all-volunteer fire stations. We protect thousands of tourists each year who travel to the northern California wine country. With an average of 3,049 fire and emergency service calls a year, our 9 volunteer fire companies serve mostly wild land areas and rural residential.
  • Our volunteers receive state of the art training through the fire academy right in the heart of Napa County. No experience needed!

 

Napa County Volunteer Firefighter Selection Criteria

Although local governments and departments establish different selection criteria, many departments require that volunteers:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Be healthy and in good physical condition
  • Complete basic fire & EMS training
  • Live in close proximity to the fire district
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Meet the minimum ongoing training requirements
  • Respond to a certain percentage of calls

Time requirements vary by department. Time commitment will depend on several factors, such as the number of calls the department receives, training requirements, shift versus on-call structure, and community activities in which the department requires volunteers to participate.

Volunteer departments prefer that volunteers have the ability to respond to calls 24 hours a day, although most departments still accept volunteers who are unable to leave work or other obligations to respond to a call.

Typically, departments pay for training and firefighting equipment. Volunteer firefighting is an unpaid position; however, some departments may provide stipends or reimburse volunteers for certain expenses.

Napa County Firefighters Association

The Napa County Firefighters Association carries the responsibility of manning 9 all-volunteer fire stations out of the 13 NCFD stations. NCFD provides over 300 hours of in-house training to meet California's required Firefighter 1 and 2, plus EMS First Responder standards. All new recruits receive an entry level physical and all required immunizations and our department encourages a daily physical fitness routine.

If you want to make a difference in your community, become a Volunteer Firefighter!