Ravenna Council Meeting
Ravenna’s city council voted Monday night to approve $15,876 to purchase a new washing machine for the township’s fire department. Part of the money came from a grant from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The grant totaled $13, 230. The rest of the cost will come from the city’s general fund. The type of washing machine needed is more effective at cleaning heavy firefighting turnout gear than a typical washing machine.
Council members briefly discussed that the washer was needed to help protect firefighters from carcinogens they might encounter at work. Fire Chief Geoffrey Cleveland elaborated after the meeting. “We had a washer, but the old one could only handle one set of turnout gear at a time. The new one can handle four sets of gear.”
Cleveland said his department has always been concerned about potential carcinogens and the health of firefighters. He referenced the passage of the Michael Louis Palumbo, Jr Act as an important step in helping firefighters who are exposed to carcinogens on the job.
The Michael Louis Palumbo, Jr Act was signed into law by governor John Kasich in January of 2017, and went into effect in April of 2017. The law presumes that firefighters who develop cancer likely developed the disease from their occupation, and are therefore entitled to workers’ compensation to help pay for their care. The law does outline some exceptions, including when there is evidence that a firefighter’s lifestyle contributed significantly to their risk of developing cancer. If a firefighter is a heavy smoker, for example, they may not be covered under this law. When the bill was brought to the Ohio General Assembly as Senate Bill 27, the primary sponsor was Tom Patton of District 7. Patton did not respond to a request for comment before press time.
Michael Louis Palumbo, Jr was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer after serving as a firefighter. Palumbo died as a result of the cancer. Of 124 claims filed since the law went into effect, 87 have been approved. The claim filed by Palumbo’s family was denied.
A 2013 study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters were at increased risk for cancer of the large intestine, kidney and lung. The firefighters were also at increased risk for malignant mesothelioma. Other studies have shown similar results.
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