25-02-2025
Hornell FD grant supports purchase of fire gear washer. Why it's crucial for health.
A $5,000 grant helped the City of Hornell Fire Department acquire a piece of equipment crucial to reducing firefighters' exposure to carcinogens.
The Public Employer Risk Management Association (PERMA) awarded the money, which the Hornell Fire Department put toward purchasing a new washing machine for big turnout gear that can't be washed in conventional washing machines, according to Hornell Fire Chief Frank Brzozowski.
"Our bunker gear is very heavy," Brzozowski said. "You need a heavy-duty washing machine to do that."
Brzozowski said the new washer has been in operation at the station for about month.
He said the $5,000 grant covered approximately 60% of the machine's cost.
The funding comes from the Firefighter Risk Management Reduction Mini-Grant Program, created through a partnership between PERMA and the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC).
'Chemicals, biological hazards, asbestos fibers, and toxic byproducts from burning materials can all cling to firefighters' protective gear,' said Bruce E. Heberer, NYSAFC CEO. 'Research has shown that purpose-built washers are more effective than hand-washing gear, which can also create an exposure situation."
Cancer caused 66 percent of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths between 2002 and 2019, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Research by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) suggests firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population.
'Volunteering or working in the fire service has inherent dangers, but a firefighter's gear should not be one of them,' said Mary Beth Woods, PERMA executive director. 'PERMA's goal is to help fire departments purchase specialized washers or dryers to reduce their members' exposure by enabling them to safely and thoroughly clean turnout gear.'
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Launched in 2019, the program is available annually to members of both NYSAFC and PERMA to provide financial assistance with the purchase of a new gear washer or dryer.
'Anything that can help us with equipment (is appreciated), because it is so expensive," Brzozowski said.
The Hornell grant is among 20 PERMA awarded in February to fire departments throughout New York state. Since its inception in 2019, the program has provided over $275,000 in funds for gear washers and dryers through 62 grant awards to 54 member organizations.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: $5K grant to Hornell Fire Department used for fire gear washer
