Black Firefighters: Still Forging a Path and Serving With Valor
Did you know that among the 3000 people lost in the collapse of the World Trade Towers on Sept 11, 2001, that there were 12 Black firefighters who lost their lives in the massive rescue effort

San Francisco Firefighters: Increased Risk for Bladder Cancer – Testing Underway
In April the San Francisco Firefighter Cancer Prevention Foundation initiated a bladder cancer testing program for active and retireed firefighters. The goal of this program is to test 1,000 individuals at the workplace or retiree events using the NMP22 BladderChek test. According to the foundation, this is the second phase for the program and results will be part of a larger study. The educational message urges men and women to know the symptoms of bladder cancer -- blood in the urine, urinary frequency and urgency.

Aerial Fire Fighting Pilots; Kudos
I think these firefighters should be honored next fire season, these pilots give it all and they lose at least one pilot per year, since it is a very dangerous job flying low level in little or no visibility during the drop, with dead trees with no vegetation on them that stick up 40 feet plus high. During 9-11 ceremonies in 2005 we ought to think of all the fire fighters who give it all including these pilots, because each year they risk life and limb to battle the big ones.

747 Aerial Fire Fighting
We have used many types of aircraft to fight fires; helicopters, WII vintage Aircraft and now we are going to try a 747, that's right a Jumbo Jet? Wow, that will be something. And definitely something Airbus will not try with their new A380 wing tip vortices "trench digger" as the wingtips hang past the width of the runway.

Firefighters Urged to Sign Memorial Book for Fallen Heroes; Sperian Fire Will Donate $100,000 in Their Names
Firefighters across the U.S. and Canada are urged to show their fallen brothers & sisters - and their families - that they care by signing a Web-based Memorial Book to honor those lost in the line of duty. By signing the Memorial Book at http://www.sperianfire.com, firefighters will help make a $100,000 donation by Sperian Fire possible to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The donation will be made by Sperian Fire in the names of the firefighters who have signed the Book.