IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… South Walton firefighter brings awareness to job related cancer 1/27/2022
1/27/2022
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
South Walton firefighter brings awareness to job related cancer
South Walton firefighter brings awareness to job related cancer
“South Walton firefighter brings awareness to job related cancer”
Anna Hoffman, MyPanhandle.com, WMBB
January 26, 2022
Watch the full interview here.
Anna Hoffman, MyPanhandle.com, WMBB
January 26, 2022
Watch the full interview here.
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Job-related cancer is the number one cause of death for firefighters.
South Walton Firefighter Lt. Stephen Newsom is sharing his cancer survival story to bring awareness to the issue.
In April 2020, Newsom went to his doctor for what he thought was just shoulder pains. It turns out he had cancer.
“I think one year, two years prior to this and we were discussing this,” Newsom said. “What can we do to stop cancer within the fire service? Becoming more aware. And just two years later I end up with it.”
He was sidelined from firefighting for 8 months. During that time he had four rounds of chemotherapy, targeted radiation on his shoulder and a stem cell transplant.
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Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said the state has identified 20 common cancers for firefighters.
“We have put it in state law that if our firefighters’ contract one of these cancers the state of Florida has created provisions to make sure that they have benefits to help them fight off this terrible disease,” Patronis said.
Patronis said if you are a firefighter working in the state of Florida this benefit is automatically provided by your employer.
This benefit will be like another form of health insurance to pay for treatment.
“They’ve got our back and now it’s time for us to show that we’ve got their back,” Patronis said.
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Newsom said South Walton firefighters immediately clean their gear after every call for safe precautions.
He said most fire departments in Northwest Florida are doing the same.
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).