INDIANAPOLIS, IN, September 03, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- Firefighter Joe Frolick, Wayne Township Fire Department, will attempt to set the Ohio state record for the most consecutive skydives at the Start Skydiving drop zone in Lebanon, Ohio on September 4, 2009. His mission: To memorialize the hundreds of people who die from smoke inhalation annually, and to create awareness about education that exists to prevent these unnecessary deaths. "As a firefighter, I am very concerned about the number of deaths related to smoke inhalation - despite the fact that the number of fires is steadily declining. As a paramedic, I am aware of the valuable academic, hands-on, and real-life training scenarios the Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition (CPTC) offers to firefighters and members of the medical community to effectively teach first responders how to treat smoke inhalation. As the nation's leading authority on fire smoke in the fire service, I selected the CPTC as the beneficiary of 100 Reasons. While more than 100 people die annually from smoke inhalation approximately 100 firefighters die attempting to save lives, so I named this event 100 Reasons and will attempt 100 consecutive skydives in one day."
According to informal data collection, the CPTC reports nearly 600 smoke inhalation deaths since January 1, 2009 and more than half were children. In addition to deaths, at least 1,100 people were either treated at the scene or hospitalized for smoke inhalation. "If 1,700 people were treated or died from a virus - it would be an epidemic," stated Shawn Longerich, executive director. "Smoke inhalation is far more deadly than ever before. What we have in our homes today is very different from 10 years ago. Laminates, foam cushions, mattresses and bedding made of synthetics, plastics, acrylics - emit hydrogen cyanide during the combustion process," said Longerich. Until fire departments and medical communities come together to embrace cyanide as a killer in fire smoke, people will unfortunately continue to die.
While Joe is setting the Ohio state record for consecutive skydives, the CPTC will simultaneous host its first Firefighter Smoke Symposium at the drop zone. "Fire and emergency medical service providers will share best practices in the management of smoke inhalation victims. This danger exists for both emergency responders and the public, and recent improvement in treatment and antidotes will be shared by international experts on the subject," said Dr. James Augustine, Medical Director and Assistant Fire Chief, Washington, DC Fire and EMS, Director of Clinical Operations, EMP, Canton, OH, and Associate Clinical Professor, Wright State University Department of Emergency Medicine.
Joe is asking the nation support his mission by donating funds to the Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition, a non-profit organization, to fund the next regional Firefighter Smoke Symposium, free training that definitely saves lives. His goal is to raise $10,000 to spread this life-saving education throughout the United States. Donors may contribute online through
www.100Reasons.org or
www.FireSmoke.org. All contributions are tax deductible.
The public is invited to attend 100 Reasons on September 4, 2009 at Start Skydiving, Warren County Airport, Lebanon, Ohio. Joe's first skydive will occur between 7:00 a.m.- 7:30 a.m.
About the CPTC
The Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of fire service organizations, firefighters, and physicians. Through joint strategic initiatives to focus the required attention and resources on the issues, the CPTC aims to increase awareness about the risk of fire smoke cyanide exposure to improve early recognition and appropriate treatment for firefighters and EMS personnel. The CPTC has been on the cutting edge of fire smoke cyanide exposure and treatment protocols since 2005. Appropriate recognition of the signs and symptoms of cyanide toxicity, as well as a comprehensive understanding of treatment and antidotes, is the educational objective of the CPTC.
For further information, please visit
www.firesmoke.org---
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