With national studies increasingly showing an association between cancer risks and being a firefigher, first responders at South Haven Area Emergency Services can hopeful breathe a little easier thanks to new commercial cleaning equipment for their bunker gear.
The department now has considerably more capable commercial cleaning equipment that decontaminates carcinogens from the crew’s bunker gear and also prevents cross contamination with other laundry thanks to grants from three industries and a bank in the region.
Studies have shown that after exposure to even routine firefighting, bunker gear can contain carcinogens that may be absorbed through physical contact or even be inhaled. Awareness of that increased cancer risk brought a desire by the South Haven Area Emergency Services leadership to improve on their gear-cleaning methodology.
Each of the three fire stations in the system now has industrial washers built especially for the purpose of cleaning that gear. In addition, the staff has built drying equipment saving the department significant expenses that would have been incurred by purchasing major commercial products.
Fire Chief Ron Wise tells us, “The safety of our first responders is our highest priority,” and adds, “We determined that a systematic approach to cleaning turnout gear would be the best remedy for providing this safeguard. We are grateful to our contributors whose acknowledgement of this need brought it to reality.”
Lovejoy, Inc., through the Timken Foundation, has awarded the department a $20,000 grant. The Timken Foundation awards grants to non-profit agencies that operate in communities in which the Timken Company has facilities. Lovejoy, Inc. has had a plant in South Haven since 1960. The company is a supplier of couplings, power transmissions, hydraulic components and rubber suspension technology.
Albemarle is a global supplier of specialty chemicals, which has been located in South Haven since 1976. The Albemarle Foundation was launched as a means to power the giving potential of its employees. Each site has its own Foundation Council who share a wide view of a community’s needs and oversee diverse programs of philanthropic opportunities. Albemarle’s contribution to the project is $10,000.
Entergy Corporation, owner of the Palisades nuclear plant which has operated in Covert Township since 1971, has contributed $5,000. Entergy is a Fortune 500 integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations.
Employees of Sturgis Bank and Trust donated $450 to the project. The second Friday of each month is dedicated as “Jean Day” at the bank. For a donation of $5 employees can wear jeans that day. Each month a different branch of the bank can determine the beneficiary of their contribution. Sturgis Bank and Trust has two of its 12 branches in South Haven.
The project cost of $42,000 funded equipment purchases and helped meet plumbing and electrical requirements. The department’s staff also contributed to the project by sponsoring fund-raising pancake breakfasts. Great team work all around on a true community project.
The photos accompanying this story on Moody on the Market are courtesy of Tom Renner of South Haven.
