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We Support the IAFF’s “Campaign For A Smoke Free Union”

As a combination Paid/Volunteer station we are obligated to help meet the needs of all who a part of the Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Inc. One may find it odd to have a quote from the IAFF on our site but those who work in our station know we care about the health and well being of all our people. These dedicated professionals spend more time with us than they do with the management of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. Because we are a service organization we put kindness and concern for others over politics no matter their affiliation. We work together to put the needs of others over our own individual needs. Why, because we got it like that. This is what we do. Serve the community that live, work and play in Silver Hill, Suitland and surrounding jurisdictions.

What follows is excepts from the IAFF website on smoking.

The IAFF asks, “Why Quit”?

Their Answer:

Health Risks To Fire Fighters

Fire Fighters face serious risks on the job. They face heat, flames, physical and mental stress and high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and other toxic risks in the areas around fires. Fire fighters face a high risk for many diseases. Fire fighters who smoke are at greater risk. Smoking increases the risk of getting heart disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, stress, and poorer treatment outcomes for certain diseases, such as hepatitis.

Heart Disease. Heart attacks account for 45% of all work-related deaths among fire fighters. This risk is high during fire fighting itself. It may be caused by heavy work near hot fires, exposure to carbon monoxide, and other stresses associated with the job. Lack of physical fitness, being overweight, and smoking makes these risks higher. Fire fighters who also smoke have a higher risk from CO and other pulmonary risks. High levels of physical and mental stress makes the heart need more oxygen, but at the same time, breathing in more CO reduces the amount of oxygen a fire fighter gets. This can cause heart attacks from both coronary artery disease and from abnormal heart rhythms.

Check out the story at IAFF.org for more information.

We place no smoking signs all over the fire station supporting the State and County’s drive to have a smoke free environment. Sadly, no matter how much we talk about it, meet about it and use mitigation, preparedness and response type interventions to reduce smoking in the fire station it is a continuous process. Smoking is addictive and it leads to premature death. We will continue to help our fire fighters eliminate smoking from their lives as the IAFF encourages.

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We See the Effects of Worker Burnout and Report It – But We are Ignored

We understand that being in the busiest company in the County has its effects on most workers. The service is physically, emotionally and psychologically challenging and with the added pressure of performing safely and effectively under significant time constraints, it is too much for any firefighter. The difficult work conditions at the Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad is leading to burnout among some workers.

Burnout is generally defined as a psychological response to chronic work stress and is recognized as having three major components:

  1. Exhaustion
  2. Disengagement or withdrawal from workplace and co-workers.
  3. Cynicism or unsympathetic attitude towards the people and the goals they serve.

Study results clearly showed that burnout leads to diminished safety behaviors in firefighters. It should be considered a legitimate safety concern within the PGFD. Work stress and work-family conflict are not directly linked to bad safety practices. They can, however lead to burnout over time, which is the major predictor of unsafe work practices. When firefighters are burned out, they are less likely to voice their concerns, to use PPE properly, and to perform their work in a routinely safe manner.

Suggested safety interventions that are needed.

The research team had these recommendations for fire department leaders to prevent burnout and promote safe behaviors:

Place an emphasis on a safety conscious transformational style of leadership. This will counter many of the stressors that lead to burnout. This style of leadership also promotes fairness and equity and it builds engagement.

Require supervisors to provide rest and rehabilitation during firefighting operations, and allow for post-event rest and recovery.

Promote health and wellness goals and a positive safety climate. This will help to counter the effects of stressors that may lead to burnout.

Learn more about this research. This research article is available through contacting FEMA-NETCLibrary@fema.dhs.gov

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Assessing Cardiovascular Disease Risk With Push-ups – Firefighter Study

The US Fire Administration posted an article about the use of push-ups as a way to assess cardiovascular disease (CDV) risk in firefighters.  The Protocol was described as follows.

Researchers looked at the records of 1,562 male firefighters aged 21-66 from Indiana who had medical screenings between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2010.

The firefighters’ initial screening and follow-up exams included push-up capacity testing.

Clinic staff counted the number of completed push-ups in time with a metronome set at 80 beats per minute.

Staff counted push-ups until each participant reached 80, missed three or more beats of the metronome, or stopped due to exhaustion,

Researchers looked for any CVD-related events among the participants during the ten year period.

Outcome

Those firefighters who completed fewer than 10 push-ups at their initial exam were at significantly higher risk of CVD over the course of the 10 year period.

Participants who did 11 or more push-ups at their initial exam were at significantly reduced risk of experiencing a CVD event.

CVD is a leading cause of on-duty death among firefighters. Recent studies show that even moderate physical activity can significantly reduce CVD risk factors.

Learn more about this research. Summary information for this article was provided by the NETC Library. You can request access to this research study by contacting the library at FEMA-NETCLibrary@fema.dhs.gov

 

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Business is Booming

New construction, new vehicles, new members, completed certifications and more is what we have going on at the Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Thanks to the Board of Directors, the Chief of the SHVFD&RS and the members who skillfully go about the business of service, things are very bright. If you want to be a part of the growth come by and see for yourself.

It’s exciting times in the face of danger, disasters and emergencies. Contact us for the training and education you need to get involved. Come to 3900 Old Silver Hill Road, go to our “Apply Now” page and Join Us!.

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Those Who Make Things Happen and Those That Complain

The Pioneers and the Settlers (In The Goldilocks Zone)

There are a lot of Pioneers in the Fire and Rescue Services that are criticized by those who are on the sidelines (Settlers) waiting for things to get done. These Settlers are not bad people, they just don’t have the talent to make things happen. You know who they are. They come into your home, complain about the chairs either being too soft or too hard. They complain about the food either being too hot or too cold. They complain about the beds either being too hard or too soft. We get that they want things to be just right but they don’t do their part to help make things just right.

To all the Settlers out there, and you know who you are, no one made things just right for the Pioneers. The Pioneers build the company, buy the apparatus, acquire the equipment, fix the facilities and work hard to make things just right. Pioneers have faced more dangerous things than the criticism of Settlers. Pioneers know the truth about the situation. They continue the work knowing the Settlers will always only be concerned about their comfort. So it comes down to perspective.

Pioneering is hard work and the more energy you waste on Settlers the harder the work becomes. Pioneers need to focus on enjoying the fruit of their labors rather than being worried about Settlers enjoying the same.

 

Address

Silver Hill Fire Department
and Rescue Squad
3900 Old Silver Hill RD
Suitland, MD 20746

Contact us!

Email: silverhillvfd@comcast.net

Phone

Emergencies: 911

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