Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation donate cancer preventing wipes to all local CFA brigades
By Aaron Cordy
THEY are the front line in regional communities when disaster strikes, with local volunteers of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) often travelling far and wide across the country to put their lives on the line, whether it’s bushfires, floods or roadside accidents.
While dangers from toxic smoke, hazardous chemicals, and carcinogenic PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) released during structure fires, vehicle fires, and grassfires are well known, it is the aftereffects of exposure to those toxins that put CFA volunteers most at risk. New research has found that these contaminants settle on the skin and absorb into the body, increasing the long-term risk of cancer.
The best way for firefighters to cleanse themselves is with a shower, but when they are hours and hundreds of kilometres away from a shower, the next best thing is decontamination wipes. Unfortunately, the wipes are not standard issue for CFA brigades.
That’s to the wonderful generosity of the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation, all 73 brigades across District 22 will receive the specialised Decon Mate decontamination wipes.
Engaging with the Copulos Foundation came from the hard work of Shepparton CFA Captain Craig Lewis, who championed not only his brigade but all the CFA brigades in the Goulburn Valley.
“We hope this significant support from the Copulos Foundation can spark proactive and positive change for firefighter health and safety. This initiative helps ensure our members return home safer after every incident,” said Captain Lewis.
With the World Health Organisation now recognising firefighting as a profession with an elevated cancer risk, meaning the Copulos Foundation donation is vital for the volunteers.
“The community has helped me build a big business together with my family. In the 1990s, we decided to do the Foundation, and we started to pay back the community. I want that to continue for generations to come. My main priority is Shepparton, the Goulburn Valley, because they’re the ones that helped me be who I am today,” said Peter Copulos.
“The government, I don’t know, they spend money on anything, like everything else, but the important things of life, they don’t seem to have the money. So, I congratulate you all. You’re doing a fantastic job. I don’t know what we do without you.”
3,500 professional-grade decontamination products were delivered to the Shepparton Fire Brigade, who will lead and coordinate the mammoth task of training and distribution, ensuring each brigade can implement best-practice decontamination procedures.
