Virginia Beach Fire Department Takes Action to Improve Health Screenings for Firefighters

Virginia Beach, VA - In response to the recent tragic loss of a Virginia Beach firefighter, city leaders have decided to enhance health screenings for city firefighters.
Improving Health Screenings
Chief Ken Pravetz expressed his concerns about the physical risks firefighters face while serving the community during a city council meeting. One of the major concerns highlighted by Chief Pravetz is the increased risk of cardiovascular illnesses among firefighters. He mentioned that the average age for a firefighter to suffer a heart attack is 49, much lower than the general public's average age of 66. In the past year, Virginia Beach Fire Department has unfortunately experienced two sudden cardiac deaths among its employees, with the firefighters being 54 and 63 years old. Moreover, Chief Pravetz emphasized the importance of early detection through ultrasound testing and stress tests to understand how the heart copes with the stresses of the job.
Enhanced Screening Measures
Chief Pravetz proposed to increase the number of health assessments from 23 to 47, which will include cancer blood tests. Despite the existing testing procedures, there are currently 11 open worker compensation claims for VBFD, with none of the cancer cases being detected through the regular screenings.
Positive Impact
The recent ultrasound screenings and Galleri tests conducted by the fire department identified 4 cases of cancer, with 3 of the affected employees able to return to work. Unfortunately, one of the employees, Matthew Gallina, succumbed to occupational cancer. His wife Michelle, who attended the city council meeting, expressed her support for the proposed changes. Chief Pravetz believes that investing in early screenings can make a significant difference and is one of the most impactful decisions that will come from his career as a firefighter.
City Support
City leaders have shown their support for increasing health screenings for firefighters. City manager Patrick Duhaney intends to present a resolution to allocate the city's risk management budget to cover the initial expenses of the additional screenings, emphasizing the city's commitment to the well-being of its firefighters.