12-03-2025
Local firefighter pushing to protect colleagues
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKBN) – Working in the fire service is a Gossard tradition, Dan Gossard is a volunteer in Springfield Township as was his father Chuck before him.
'He was a fourth-generation firefighter. So, obviously, his dad was involved, grandfather, great-grandfather — so I've been around it my whole life,' Gossard said.
But Gossard said it was truly Chuck's passion. He served for 33 years at the firehouse in Petersburg.
'Anytime the tones for the bells dropped, he was going. He left birthday parties and events, but this was his pride and soul,' Gossard said.
Chuck died three years ago this month, just six months after being diagnosed with melanoma. It's something Gossard said was caused by decades of exposure to toxic fumes and smoke fighting fires. Gossard is now among a growing number of first responders pushing for new federal regulations to help surviving family members.
'Right now, it's only state to state through workers comp, so there are some families out there that aren't getting any benefits,' Gossard said.
House Bill 1719 was introduced in the last session of Congress and had the support of Valley lawmaker Michael Rulli, but it never passed. The measure will now have to be re-introduced if it's ever to become law.
'There's a lot of pushing on the back end. There's a union for the professional firefighters, the IAFF, they're really involved with that,' Gossard said.
In the meantime, Gossard said the community can show its support by sending letters to lawmakers urging them to take action.
'Cancer was the leading cause of death for firefighters — it's 73% of the deaths are occupational cancers. It's just getting worse and worse,' Gossard said.
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