CDC Mishandeling Investigation Firefighter's Deaths

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is the agency that is in charge of investigating the deaths of firefighters throughout the country. After reading a recent story on MSNBC's website, I find myself wondering why the deaths of firefighters are not being properly investigated by this agency. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 of the story on MSNBC's website.

In the late 1990's, the CDC was put in charge of is the agency that is in charge of investigating firefighters deaths and making recommendations to help prevent the death of firefighters on the job. There is no doubt in my mind that the job of a firefighter is dangerous and that these guys are heroes. They go out everyday and help save lives. It's time we returned the favor.

I urge everyone to read the article and contact the Oregon Congressional Delegation to do the following:

1. Launch an investigation into the obstruction of investigations by the CDC's Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, including the head of the program, Dawn Castillo.

2. Urge them to enact legislation that ensures every firefighters death is investigated. Also urge them to include a provision that would move the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program from being under the CDC to OSHA.

Here are the contacts:

Oregon US Senator Ron Wyden

Oregon US Senator Gordon Smith

1st Congressional District Oregon Congressman David Wu

2nd Congressional District Oregon Congressman Greg Walden

3rd Congressional District Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer

4th Congressional District Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio

5th Congressional District Oregon Congresswoman Darlene Hooley