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AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast

News & Politics Podcasts

Top-ranked fire protection and safety podcast, hosted by international speaker and fire service leader, Kevin Ferrara, offers uncensored insight on issues impacting fire service organizations around the world such as PFAS exposure and management, cancer, leadership, and many more.

Location:

United States

Description:

Top-ranked fire protection and safety podcast, hosted by international speaker and fire service leader, Kevin Ferrara, offers uncensored insight on issues impacting fire service organizations around the world such as PFAS exposure and management, cancer, leadership, and many more.

Language:

English

Contact:

7577714756


Episodes

AFSO21's Weekend Wrap-up Podcast 2023 Kickoff

1/15/2023
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...

Duration:00:53:06

Number of Federal Firefighters Eligible for Presumptive Illness Compensation is Limited

12/10/2022
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...

Duration:00:35:09

Safespill, leaders in new technology to eliminate firefighting foam in hangars

10/27/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara speaks with the founder and CEO of Safespill, a small Houston, Texas based military friendly company that has developed a new product that essentially eliminates the need to use Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) or High Expansion Foam (HEF) in hangars. CEO Tristan Mackintosh introduces himself and his company and, over the course of the podcast, explains how his vision to eliminate the use of toxic firefighting foam in hangars came to fruition which...

Duration:01:23:25

Fire Prevention Week and VBFD Captain Matt "Chevy" Chiaverotti

10/8/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara starts off by recognizing the 100th Anniversary of NFPA's Fire Prevention Week and the importance of this years theme, "Fire Won't Wait. Plan Your Escape." Kevin talks about how having a plan that variates from time to time will enable those escaping from a fire to be better prepared for the unexpected. As the podcast continues, Kevin talks about firefighter cancer and how Virginia Beach Fire Department Captain Matt "Chevy" Chiaverotti is currently...

Duration:00:44:21

Susan Wind Talks About Toxic Coal Ash

7/28/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara speaks with Susan Wind who has been researching and speaking about Coal Ash that has polluted water sources around the country and is linked to cancer. IN fact, Susan's daughter developed cancer likely because of her exposure to polluted water that contained coal ash that was dumped within her community. As Susan speaks about yet another pollutant that is plaguing our communities, she speaks of the lack of transparency, accountability, and enforcement...

Duration:01:05:52

Recap of 2022 PFAS Conference Presentation

6/22/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara provides the Weekend Wrap-up audience with a recap of his presentation at the 2022 PFAS Conference. During the conference, presenters were allotted only 10-minutes to speak so Kevin thought it would beneficial to recap his presentation and go more in depth to what his message was for conference attendees. Links: 2022 PFAS Conference WTKR News 3 Interview Regarding PFAS Contamination in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia DoD Firefighter PFAS Blood Test...

Duration:01:55:18

Managing Fire Departments

6/1/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks about the need for regulating and managing fire departments, in particular volunteer organizations. In addition to his discussion in managing fire departments, Kevin talks about PFAS legislation that is currently being discussed that will impact Federal firefighters, and how PFAS has impacted a New Mexico Dairy farmer. Links: H.R. 2499 Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act - Cancer in the Occupation of...

Duration:01:09:47

Eurofins PFAS Blood Test Kit

4/1/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks with Andrew Patterson and Taryn McKnight from Eurofins and EmpowerDX about their PFAS Blood Test Kit. Highlights of the episode include talking about who Eurofins are and how they became involved with testing for PFAS as well as some of the behind the scenes efforts that went into developing the test. Also discussed during the podcast is defining half-life of PFAS substances. PFAS Blood Test Kit Giveaway Eurofins is giving one lucky audience...

Duration:01:13:24

Updates on PFAS Legislation - Call Congress!

3/19/2022
Kevin welcomes audience members for their continued support which has been instrumental in the podcast being ranked number 15 of the "Best 30 Firefighter Podcasts" and number 5 of the "Best 15 Fire Protection & Safety Podcasts" in the world! Kevin addresses legislation affecting Federal Firefighters (H.R. 2499), recently discussed during "mark-ups", and is now sitting in the House of Representatives awaiting further action. Kevin discusses H.R. 7089, the Vet PFAS Act which calls to furnish...

Duration:01:15:56

Proposed "Burn Pit" Legislation

3/7/2022
In this episode, host, Kevin Ferrara clarifies what "Burn Pits" is defined as and how it is misleading to military firefighters. The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, proposes to establish presumptive of 23 service connected medical conditions to include respiratory illnesses and cancers for eligible veterans who deployed to certain locations where "Burn Pits" were in operation. Kevin explains how these provisions will...

Duration:00:55:29

Volunteer Fire Service, is it on Life Support?

2/20/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks about concerns within the volunteer fire service impacting both the organization and the community. Areas that Kevin speaks about include training & certification, membership, issuance of Fire Taxes, NFPA Standards, accountability, leadership, and legislation. Before the podcast begins, Kevin take time to remember the tragic Station Nightclub fire that occurred on February 20, 2003 that killed 100 people and injured another 230. Kevin encourages...

Duration:01:18:05

First In Wellness

1/14/2022
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara introduces the Weekend Wrap-up Podcast audience to First In Wellness. First In Wellness is a team of experienced health and wellness coaches who provide goal-oriented, personalized, and preventative health and wellness programs designed to meet specific challenges firefighters face everyday. Kevin speaks with guests Danielle Cook Kawash, the founder of First In Wellness and Mike Salemi, the founder of Kettlebell Lifestyle. Together, Danielle and Mike have...

Duration:01:11:54

The Results Are In

12/7/2021
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks about his personal PFAS blood test results received from Eurofins. Eurofins is an alternate source of PFAS blood testing. Their testing capabilities look for 47 PFAS analytes. As Kevin talks about his own PFAS levels, he also highlights why it is important to have blood tested for PFAS and what health risks are associated with each analyte. As the podcast continues, Kevin talks about his recent interview with Spotlight on America. Kevin's interview...

Duration:01:17:50

Recap of Firefighter Health and Wellness Conference Presentation

11/13/2021
In this episode, host Kevin Ferrara talks about his recent presentation at the 4th Annual Firefighter Health and Wellness Conference in "exotic" Beavercreek, Ohio where firefighters from 14 states converged to obtain information and listen to industry experts talk about health and safety. The focus of Kevin's presentation was on PFAS exposure to military and DoD firefighters and what the DoD is lacking with respect to minimizing unnecessary exposure and health care for those...

Duration:02:06:03

Something for Everyone

8/29/2021
*UPDATE* After speaking with the law firm identified in this podcast, they apologized for the article and have since removed it from their website. In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara thanks his audience members for their support with recognizing his cousin Stephen Ferrara's recent passing. As the episode continues, Kevin speaks about Hurricane IDA and how those along the Gulf Coast need to be prepared for what is being reported as a catastrophic...

Duration:00:55:29

Firefighter Health Seems Less Important than Profits

8/22/2021
In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host, Kevin Ferrara talks about how many believe the health and safety of firefighters are less important than profits made by chemical companies producing PFAS. Before the podcast starts, Kevin recognizes his cousin, Stephen Ferrara who recently passed away. Stephen was a volunteer firefighter, former Deputy Chief, and emergency communications dispatcher. "Stevie" was someone who would always take time to help someone, so much, he was...

Duration:01:10:16

Explosive DoD IG Report on PFAS Used Within the DoD

7/29/2021
Get ready everyone, this episode is going to be explosive! AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara gives his interpretation of the July 22, 2021, DoD Inspector General (IG) report that shows what the DoD has and has not done to protect DoD personnel including firefighters from PFAS contamination. Kevin provides audience members a summary of the 82-page report, highlighting certain areas that the DoD IG determined to be in his opinion. failures and egregious lack of initiative...

Duration:01:51:25

Crew Inspections

7/4/2021
In this episode, The Weekend Wrap-up host, Kevin Ferrara speaks about the importance and really, the necessity of fire protection and emergency services performing crew inspection through commercial facilities within their jurisdiction. Recent incidents have shown that had a thorough crew inspection, or building walk-through been performed, the outcome might have been prevented. Supporting the topic, Kevin speaks about the recent Surfside, Florida apartment complex collapse, the Station...

Duration:01:08:42

Let's Talk About PFAS

6/20/2021
In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host, Kevin Ferrara talks privately about PFAS and what is and is not being done to protect firefighters exposed to toxic substances. Kevin talks about the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act and where the piece of proposed legislation currently rests in Congress, explaining some of the bill's stipulations and what he feels needs to be revised to ensure all military firefighters are protected. As the episode transitions to...

Duration:01:18:20

Veteran, Firefighter, Paramedic - Jason Kling

6/6/2021
In this episode, AFSO21 Radio, The Weekend Wrap-up host Kevin Ferrara sits down with fellow veteran and firefighter Jason Kling to hear his thoughts on his experience in fire protection and emergency services. Jason shares with Kevin's audience how he became interested in emergency services, the military, and how he took his military experience and incorporated it in his transition to being a paramedic in Pennsylvania. Jason shares with the Weekend Wrap-up audience his personal opinions on...

Duration:00:58:21