Austin firefighters marked the solemn remembrance of the 9/11 attacks this past week, not only reflecting on the heroism of the day but also addressing ongoing health concerns that universally affect their ranks. One such major health concern revolves around the presence of PFAS, a chemical known for its enduring presence in the environment and human body, in firefighter gear, as per KXAN.
As Austin firefighters participated in the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, ascending 1,368 feet to honor those who lost their lives, the Austin Fire Department also grappled with the initiative to replace firefighter turnouts to protect current and future servicemen and women from the very gear designed to protect them, confronting the dual edges of bravery and vulnerability. In the stair climb event, Lt. Jerry Cohen reflected on the generational passage of commitment, from those who witnessed the attacks to those who weren't yet born, asserting, "hopefully once I'm gone, they'll continue, and this memorial to never forget 9/11," he told FOX 7 Austin.
Meanwhile, the debate to phase out PFAS-intensive firefighting gear in the capital city aligns with a broader movement recognizing the chemical's link to an array of health complications, from cancer to immunological effects, Bob Nicks, president of the Austin Fire Association, told KXAN. The Austin City Council stands on the cusp of a decision that may commit the city to a three-year plan to both acknowledge and act against an invisible but very real adversary that has been encapsulated in the very fabric of the firefighters' defense.
Austin's accounting for the heroes comes not only through ceremonies but also concrete action, as evidenced by the recent FEMA grant that the Austin Fire Department received to replace PFAS-heavy workout equipment and administer PFAS testing to its members, a safety measure preceding the forthcoming test for more than 150 firefighters, AFD said in a statement obtained by KXAN.
Simultaneously, the city pays homage to heroes past, such as Battalion Chief Travis Lee Maher, whose family was presented with the Star of Texas Award after his passing, a tragic result of his exposure to a toxic mix during the 9/11 recovery mission relayed by Gov. Greg Abbott during a ceremony, as detailed by FOX 7 Austin.
