Association Update: February 2022

IAFF, American Cancer Society Join to Fight Occupational Cancer 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have announced a historic long-term collaboration to help firefighters and EMS personnel with detection, treatment, and prevention of cancer. 

The alliance will allow the IAFF and ACS to address occupational cancer and share research to ensure the most current information reaches firefighters and emergency medical personnel. The IAFF and ACS will collaborate on a variety of projects and research to advance the missions of both organizations.

“There’s no mistaking why we picked New York City to announce this partnership: We lost 343 brave firefighters on 9/11. Unfortunately, we have lost hundreds since to the toxins they were exposed to on 9/11, and hundreds more are battling through the curse of cancer,” said IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “This collaboration between the IAFF and the American Cancer Society is a pivot point in the fight against cancer.”

Occupational cancer has surpassed cardiac events to become the leading cause of death for firefighters and EMS personnel. For more: www.iaff.org/fightcancer.

—International Association of Fire Fighters

AHA Honors SCAF Founder Newman

Mary M. Newman, MS, cofounder, president, and CEO of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, has been named recipient of the 2021 American Heart Association Resuscitation Science Champion Award. The award “recognizes an individual who has demonstrated commitment to the field of resuscitation science through championing research and/or clinical improvements, supporting resuscitation scholars, and serving as a passionate advocate for our field.”

“Congratulations on behalf of the American Heart Association and the Resuscitation Science Symposium Program Planning Committee,” said Benjamin S. Abella, MD, MPhil, FAHA, and Michael W. Donnino, MD. “We thank you for your…dedication to resuscitation science and education to improve survival from cardiac arrest.”

Newman is a longtime advocate who has worked relentlessly to help save lives threatened by sudden cardiac arrest. In her remarks at the symposium, she described her career path and acknowledged those who helped guide her along the way. She saluted her mentors, EMS pioneer James O. Page; Hans Dahll, founding president of Laerdal Medical; and Peter Safar, MD, one of the inventors of CPR.

—Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation

DHS Releases Master Question List for Synthetic Opioids

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has released a new master question list (MQL) for synthetic opioids. The MQL is a reference guide to assist emergency responders and the research community by providing critical and scientifically vetted information about the chemical and physical properties of synthetic opioids and the hazards they pose in operational settings. 

The resource summarizes what is known about opioids so experts can quickly find knowledge gaps and identify solutions and first responders can have on-hand guidance based on current scientific understanding. Opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. are at a record high, as new data from the CDC identifies fentanyl as the leading cause of more than 100,000 deaths over the past year.

S&T’s Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) and the Office of Mission and Capability Support’s Opioid Detection Program collaborated with the Hazard Assessment and Characterization Technology Center (HAC-TC) and Probabilistic Analysis for National Threats and Hazards and Risks (PANTHR) to develop the synthetic opioids MQL. It currently focuses on synthetic opioids commonly found in the illicit drug trade. DHS S&T will update the MQL periodically as new knowledge becomes available. Find the document at www.dhs.gov/publication/st-master-question-list-synthetic-opioids. 

—Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate

IPR Certifies Examiners in Mexico

On November 19 the International Paramedic Registry conducted its first-ever certification examination for IPR evaluators in Guadalajara, Mexico. Assessor candidates successfully completed the cognitive exam and practical testing stations to earn their international certification from the IPR.

On November 20 and 21 candidates from different institutions took part in the certification process for the Basic and Advanced levels. Find a short video at www.facebook.com/IPRcert/vid eos/923877731835482/. 

—International Paramedic Registry