FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship

Bringing awareness to the thousands of #firefighter head injuries reported every year...one tweet at a time. #advocate #speaker [email protected]

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

1)EDUCATION . 2) Establish BENCHMARKS to remove from duty (falls,MVA,etc) 3) BASELINE testing. 4) REMOVE firefighter for 24hrs minimum. 5) DOCUMENT like an exposure to brain disease. 6) REHAB with appropriate specialists https://t.co/3q7P3Z3sOk

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

The Fire Service Has a Hidden Concussion Crisis…

10 years ago, I unknowingly rode a fire truck for the last time.

A decade later, a lot of positive changes have happened.

But we can do more.

A National Standard Firefighter education is needed. https://t.co/2KVlDZ3poa

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

FRI 2023: ‘Been hit in the head lately?’ https://t.co/IRChizXdpn

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

Fire Service Repetitive Head Trauma and Associated Implications https://t.co/iHBuAsI1OT

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

THE FIRE SERVICE HAS A HIDDEN CONCUSSION CRISIS

https://t.co/2KVlDZ2RyC

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

New sign of concussion found

https://t.co/FQoiWN48VB

[Collin Rugg @CollinRugg]

JUST IN: Legendary NFL Quarterback Brett Favre tells Congress he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, says "it’s too late for me."

The comment came during a congressional hearing on federal welfare reform.

"Sadly, I also lost an investment in a company that I believed was developing a breakthrough concussion drug I thought would help others," Favre said.

"I’m sure you’ll understand, while it’s too late for me because I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, this is also a cause dear to my heart."

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

Thoughts and prayers going out to these folks today. Remember, being near an explosion is a major cause of concussions. Hopefully, these injured firefighters will get the treatment and follow ups that they need to fully recover.

[Being Libertarian @beinlibertarian]

The last great government reduction plan was in 1977 and it worked very well.

It was called “Fire Prevention”

In the early 1970’s America’s firefighters were responding to an insane amount of major house fires. Not just the sparking outlet type of calls either.

In 1973 a report was released called America Burning: The Report of The National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control

The report concluded that fire prevention and fire safety education for the public were critical to reducing the losses associated with fires, and that firefighters also needed to be better educated for their jobs in fighting fires.

Educating the public on how to REDUCE THEIR NEED for government assistance actually worked and many homes, businesses, and lives were saved because of it. Prevention is more effective than the cure.

Sure, you can say the results of the study did increase government somewhat with the formation of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 leading to the formation of the U.S. Fire Administration, the National Fire Academy, the National Fire Incident Reporting System, and the Center for Fire Research.

However, by the 1990’s fire calls were so reduced, that fire department budgets were also being reduced.

(America used to try to be financially responsible)

It didn’t last long though. To counter reducing budgets, Fire Departments started integrating Emergency Medical Services into the firefighting scope.

Now, Fire and EMS are almost completely meshed together in most places and once again, “fire calls” (actually EMS calls) are growing past unsustainable levels. (Just ask any firefighter)

This is a lesson about how governments attempting to reduce the need for government services is very beneficial. Maybe that’s why it’s so rare. 🤷🏻

How can you reduce your government footprint?

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

In 2010 a Norfolk Police recruit died of the same thing the Dolphins did to Tua. Not respecting concussions.

It’s not just a football problem.

[THE Ryan @ryan_itsyaboi]

After the dolphins mistreated Tua Tagovailoa’s head injury last week, this happens this week. This is why the NFL has protocols that takes the decisions out of the players hands. Some players will put their life in danger for the team. Bad look for the dolphins. Prayers for Tua.

[Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH® @P_McCulloughMD]

Police/paramedics when called should be asking which product, take pics of the cards for the lot numbers, and get the dose administration schedule. This will be the only way to do epidemiological evaluation of this catastrophic development in the mass indiscriminate program.

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

67% had evidence of head trauma. https://t.co/DyyibN9R5k

[Brain Injury Association of Virginia 🧠 @biavirginia]

This remains a hidden crisis. Thanks for your work to raise awareness, Mat.

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

@ToddJLeDuc @IAFC @IAFC_SHS @saraanne71 @DrexelUniv @SuzyGulliverPhD @DrLoriMMerrell @fireengineering @DanKerrigan911 @FireChiefT @NFFF_News @1stresponderctr @TFDChiefRyan @TheVaPFF @IAFFLocal42 @FireChiefofHFD @SPrziborowski @LtRayMack @ChiefLCFEMS @Chief600KJ @NEFireChiefs @IAFFNewsDesk

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

💪👏👏👏👏

[Todd J. LeDuc @ToddJLeDuc]

Continuing to represent @IAFC @IAFC_SHS Board of Directors as we examine repeated head trauma in fire firefighters & the long term health effects. @saraanne71 @DrexelUniv @SuzyGulliverPhD @DrLoriMMerrell @fireengineering @DanKerrigan911 @FireChiefT @NFFF_News @1stresponderctr

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

4 years ago my article about firefighter concussions was published.

The Fire Service Has a Hidden Concussion Crisis - FirefighterNation https://t.co/8h6e572gBz

[Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal @ILFireMarshal]

Today is #NationalConcussionAwarenessDay. This article talks about the risks of concussions firefighter face while working on and off the fireground. Get checked, if left untreated a concussion can cause more serious issues.
https://t.co/sV4Yeff5VK

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

She talked about CTE in the video.

Former WCW Wrestler Daffney Unger Dead at 46 After Concerning Instagram Live Video https://t.co/l53HeTTytp

[FirefighterConcussionProtocol ~MatBlankenship @FirefighterCon1]

This year’s Firefighter Safety Stand Down theme “Rebuild Rehab”
places emphasis on the critical importance of physical and psychological rehab.

Don’t forget, if a concussion is suspected, rehab includes immediate removal from duty for 24 hours minimum. + Return w/Drs clearance

[Brain Injury Alliance of Utah @BrainUtah]

#PTSD can be a very serious condition & compound #braininjury complications but there are ways to improve & manage PTSD symptoms. Don't suffer unnecessarily.

#ptsdawareness #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #invisibledisability #trauma #military #veteran #braininjuryawareness

[Firehouse News @FirehouseNews]

A #Buffalo #firefighter likely suffered a concussion when he was struck by a metal grate, and another #firefighter was burned during the three-alarm #fire. https://t.co/SCpjWR5bkC