Keeping communities and fire fighters safe will take center stage as thousands of first responders from throughout the United States and Canada come together at the 52nd International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) convention focused on developing a comprehensive agenda to strengthen our communities and the fire service. Meeting in Seattle August 6-9, 2018, the IAFF will discuss and debate a growing array of issues related to the emergencies fire fighters from all over Oregon respond to every day. Oregon fire fighters now face new and more intense challenges –wild fires, the opioid crisis, natural disasters, mass shootings, and acts of terror – that are taking a great toll on fire fighters and placing new stresses on the services they deliver. At the same time, communities are tightening budgets, forcing fire fighters everywhere to do more with less. On top of these challenges, more fire fighters than ever are now developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress and an alarming number have considered suicide. More fire fighters are also developing deadly cancers directly linked to on-the-job exposures. In recent months, fire fighters from around the metro area participated in the IAFF Peer Support Training. This crucial training has equipped these fire fighters to assist when peer fire fighters are dealing with the effects of job-related PTSD.
