hepatitus C as a firefighter

[JOEL KIMBALL]

Hey Brothers and Sisters, I'm one month post operative on my back,(my third one). It seems that I'm well, I feel 100% better than before the last surgery. My Doctor has given me a complete release with no restrictions. When I present this to the Chief he wanted a special meeting. Back in 99, I found out I was HCV +. I immediately told by brothers about it in our monthly meeting. I wanted them to know just in case I was injured on a scene and bleeding.
Well the special meeting was about the Board of Directors concern that I may scratch or cut myself in an extrication. Thus the concern that I pass it along. I'm trying to get my info ready before our Board meeting on Oct, 8. Has any one you know been let go or fired because of HCV? I'm a eleven year veteran, I can take enough common sense with me to back away when and if I get cut. Please let me know what you have experienced at your stations on this subject.

Tell your family you love them.

[dammitangie]

Glad to hear you feel better....if you're an 11 year vet, I should think that they would understand. You obviously have a good head on your shoulders with enough sense to pull yourself out of a situation that could be harmful to you and those around you. In any case, best of luck.

[dammitangie]

And also, if you check out the main site, Firehouse.com, there is an article that was just put up about Hepatitis C...there's a new medicine called Antiferon-A or something like that. You might want to take a look at it to get a little more info if you're really worried. With much love and hope...Ange

[Firebear230]

I don't really have any information for you. I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you the best of luck.

[Waterboy620]

Use some of their logic to fight back. Tell them that the entire department needs to be let go because at any moment, a driver could have an immediate and violent case of diarrhea and cover the floor with poo...causing the driver to loose control of the rig and ram into a propane tanker, exploding next to a school yard and killing hundreds of children. But use this as kinda a last resort. (I had to go to webster.com to find out how to spell diarrhea, its a hard word to spell)

[JOEL KIMBALL]

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers Angie, Firebear235 and Waterboy620. Our district does have a greater liability by responders to the station, and driving our rigs to the scene. We have never had a civilian vs firetruck crash, but it happens every day. What tourqes me is that if I was HIV+, I would have the resourses of innumerable organizations. So far I have been able to find AMA reports on the very low likelyhood of a care giver giving a patient HCV. I also have a HVC Discrimination law administerd by NSW. I'm fixing to call them and see who they are exactly. Buy for now.

Tell your family you love them.

[FFsSignfOthr]

Are you being treated for it? Here's a good article for you to read on Firehouse.com http://server.Firehouse.com/ems/news...hepatitis.html

Good luck.

[Adze39]

Well, 1) if you are at an extrication then most likely there is already blood and other bodily fluids around.

2) It seems like a form of discrimination to me.

3) Good luck and take care of yourself!

[dammitangie]

That article was a good one, so read it and good luck If you need help looking for organizations to help you, you need only ask