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Did you know that the International Association of Fire Fighters has an official position  against  cell towers on fire stations. 

“The International Association of Fire Fighters’ position on locating cell towers commercial wireless infrastructure on fire department facilities, as adopted by its membership in August 2004 (1), is that the IAFF oppose the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.”

Firefighter groups in the United States have long opposed cell towers on their stations. Not only that, but in California they have been able to be exempt from the forced placement of towers on their stations because of the strong opposition they have- due to health concerns from the radiation.

What exemptions have California firefighters  fought for that that stopped cell towers being forced on their stations?

AB57- Firefighters lobbied to exempt cell towers and cell antennas on or adjacent to their facilities in regards to California’s 2015 legislation AB57 . CA AB57 (2015) Legiscan Text of Bill.  ” Section 65964.1.  (f) Due to the unique duties and infrastructure requirements for the swift and effective deployment of firefighters, this section does not apply to a collocation or siting application for a wireless telecommunications facility where the project is proposed for placement on fire department facilities. “

SB649- They also received an exemption in  California’s SB649 (2018), a bill which was ultimatley vetoed by Governor Brown.  SB 649 California (2017) Wireless Telecommunications Facilities – 65964.2. “(a) A small cell shall be a permitted use subject only to a permitting process adopted by a city or county pursuant to subdivision (b) if it satisfies the following requirements: ….(3) The small cell is not located on a fire department facility.”

 

ABC7 News


On this page we are keeping documentation on the firefighters opposition and we have posted important news videos that cover this issue.

Teacher unions also have made position statements on wireless radiation. Learn more here.

ConsumerWatch: 5G Cellphone Towers Signal Renewed Concerns Over Impacts on Health

Must Watch News Segment Below 

In this news report below- California investigative reporter Julie Watts interviews firefighters and California officials on the SB649 exemption for firefighters.   

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS (IAFF)

  • “The IAFF opposes the use of fire stations as base stations for towers and/or antennas for the conduction of cell phone transmissions until a study with the highest scientific merit and integrity on health effects of exposure to low-intensity RF/MW radiation is conducted and it is proven that such sitings are not hazardous to the health of our members.”   
  • The IAFF Official Position Against  Cell Towers on Fire Stations passed in 2004.
  • This position was initiated after increasing complaints among firefighters with cellular antennas on their stations coupled with the California study showing neurological damage in California firefighters conducted by Dr. Gunnar Heuser.

Read the Press Release on the Firefighter Resolution and Research Study that found Neurological Damage

Read the Affidavit of Susan Foster detailing the study and findings here, September 2, 2013.

Dr. Gunnar Heuser, lead brain studies on firefighters following a cell tower installation on their firestation and found that they were all abnormal . His SPECT brain study on firefighters in 2004 who complained of neurological problems following a cell tower installation at their firestation 5 years ago and found that they were abnormal.  The symptoms they experienced were; headaches, memory problems, sleeping problems, depression, and anxiety- https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10624964627095/California%20Firefighters%20Pilot%20Study-Susan%20Foster%20before%20the%20FCC.pdf   https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7022117660.pdf .

L.A. County Firefighters Local 1014
“As firefighters and paramedics, we live in these firehouses. What effect will these towers have on us? What are the risks to our neighbors? It’s a no-brainer that LA County should at least have done a proper study before before putting 200-foot high-power microwave antennas on top of our heads.” Dave Gillotte, Active Duty Fire Captain, President, LA County Firefighters Local 1014

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 IAFF-CIO-CLC Opposes Cell Towers on Their Stations.

Exemptions for California firefighters

AB57- Firefighters have gotten an exemption to have cell towers on or adjacent to their facilities. This was codified in California’s 2015 legislation AB57 . CA AB57 (2015) Legiscan Text of Bill.  ” Section 65964.1.  (f) Due to the unique duties and infrastructure requirements for the swift and effective deployment of firefighters, this section does not apply to a collocation or siting application for a wireless telecommunications facility where the project is proposed for placement on fire department facilities. “

SB649- They also received an exemption in  California’s SB649 (2018), a bill which was vetoed by GovernorBrown.  SB 649 California (2017) Wireless Telecommunications Facilities – 65964.2. “(a) A small cell shall be a permitted use subject only to a permitting process adopted by a city or county pursuant to subdivision (b) if it satisfies the following requirements: ….(3) The small cell is not located on a fire department facility.”

 

THE FIREFIGHTER’S WAKE UP CALL TO US ALL

by Susan Foster

“A 2004 SPECT brain scan study of firefighters in Central California found brain abnormalities in all the men tested, as well as delayed reaction time, lack of impulse control and cognitive impairment. None of the men worked HazMat, so chemical exposure was ruled out. All the firefighters tested had suffered from sleep disturbances, headaches, lack of focus and memory loss following installation of a tower adjacent to their station five years earlier. They sued the wireless company that told them the towers were perfectly harmless, but Sec. 704 of The Telecommunications Act of 1996 does not allow health to be taken into consideration when siting a tower, so the judge dismissed the lawsuit.”

Read the full article by Susan Foster.