Welcome to the first episode of 2023! In this podcast, host Kevin Ferrara will talk about January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month and why it is important to have clear turnout gear. Then after a short break to hear about the podcast's sponsor, Fire Department Coffee, Kevin speaks about the recently released Mil-Spec document and how he feels it contains some information that is questionable and contradicting. LINKS: Firefighter Cancer Support Network 2013 NIOSH Firefighter Cancer Study Fluorescent Aerosol Screening Test Mil-Spec Document Fire Dept. Coffee Veteran owned and run by ..read more

Host Kevin Ferrara speaks his mind regarding the $858 billion dollar 2023 National Defense Authorization Act that once passed, would enable certain federal firefighters to file medical claims for various diagnosed medical illnesses to include several types of cancer. While on the surface this may seem like a win for federal firefighters, Kevin talks about how it limits those eligible to a select group while alienating others who are dealing with one or more of the listed medical illnesses or cancers. Because of the limitation on who is eligible, Kevin encourages his audience members to contac ..read more

In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up, host Kevin Ferrara speaks one-on-one with Sean Mitchel, Secretary/Treasurer of Nantucket Firefighters Local 2509. Sean begins the interview discussing how he became a firefighter and what led him to where he is today in the fire service highlighting who his mentors were and continue to be. Throughout the interview, Sean explains how he personally became involved in researching PFAS and why the topic is so important to him and his family.  Sean states he personally feels manufacturers, unions, and even the NFPA have an obligation to ens ..read more

In this episode of AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up, host Kevin Ferrara talks about why mentoring in the firehouse is important and what affect or impact it has on each individual and the organization overall. Kevin then provides updates to the Edwards Air Force Base High Expansion Foam incident and explains why it is important now more than ever to contact your local, state, and federal representatives demanding regulations are implemented for chemicals used in products and or equipment used by firefighters. Updates to the Edwards AFB incident can be followed on the AFSO21 Facebook page I ..read more

In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks to listeners about firefighters at Edwards Air Force Base in California training with high expansion foam (HEF) during an exercise involving an aircraft hangar.  The HEF foam contains hazardous chemicals similar to AFFF yet, firefighters were unnecessarily exposed to toxic foam who likely believed the material was safe thereby why they were lacking proper PPE. Kevin provides his opinion about how leaders in the fire service seemingly enable exposures like that at Edwards Air Force Base and other military and civilian locations to occur without ac ..read more

In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara talks with military veteran and former firefighter Vince Davis.  Vince is a leader and mentor in the fire service that many look to for guidance and encouragement.  Vince is an outspoken individual that says what he thinks and means what he says.  Not afraid to speak about the ongoing AFFF issues plaguing the fire service and the military, Vince has voiced his concerns that AFSO21 echo. Listeners will hear from Vince regarding his exposure to AFFF and PFAS and how his recent blood test has affected his life ..read more

In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara talks with military veteran and former firefighter Dan Casson.  Dan submitted several claims for VA disability and was finally successful in receiving a 100% rating due to his cancer that his doctors and the VA attributed to his exposure to AFFF and firefighting while in the military. Listeners will hear from Dan how exposure to AFFF and his battle with numerous forms of cancer has affected not just himself, but his family. Dan talks about how his battle is like a military mission where you "don't quit" and why it's i ..read more

In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks about the recent study conducted by Doctor Graham Peaslee and his colleagues who found firefighter turnout gear contains PFAS and that when subjected to abrasion, sheds particulates containing PFAS that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled.  The research also found that PFAS was found on the gloves of those testing the samples. As the episode closes, host, Kevin Ferrara talks about how Japanese officials are becoming impatient with the lack of transparency from the U.S. Department of Defense regarding numerous incidents on Okinawa involvin ..read more

In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara is seeking military firefighters who have stories to share with the No Defense documentary filmmakers who are working on a new project highlighting the impact AFFF and PFAs have on individuals.  This is an opportunity to share with the world, the significance AFFF has had on end-users who for the longest time, simply wanted answers as to why they or their family members are/were sick. If you are interested in sharing your AFFF story, please email Kevin your contact information and a brief description of your story to: contact@afso21.com In other news ..read more

In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara speaks about PFAS news affecting Michigan, Maryland, and Okinawa.   Kevin talks about how, in Michigan, the U.S. Air Force has agreed to work with state agencies to begin clean-up actions at the former Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda. Additionally, Kevin talks about how PFAS testing is going to start in the Baltimore, Maryland region to include testing of Chesapeake oysters suspected of being contaminated with PFAS. As the podcast wraps up, Kevin speaks briefly about Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and the issue there that's impacting local residents.  D ..read more