LODD Firefighter Dies from Hep C

[Sasha]

Martin County Fire Rescue firefighter first to die in line of duty

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MARTIN COUNTY — Martin County Fire Rescue had its first firefighter to die in the line of duty on Wednesday.

But it wasn't a fire that took the life of Fred Pierno Jr, 55, of Port St. Lucie. It was the Hepatitis C virus he contracted years earlier while performing his job, said Jon Belding, Martin County Fire Rescue Bureau Chief.

He was the 13th firefighter in the country and seventh in the state to be classified as a line of duty death because of a hepatitis infection, since officials began collecting information in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Firefighters and EMTs are the first responders to an accident and come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids that carry the virus, according to the International Association of Firefighters.

This goes to show you, BE CAREFUL! Use your BSI, proper needle safety, etc! Stay safe!

 

[AJ Hidell]

For just once, I'd like to see Martin County make news in a positive way.

With all the meth in this county, the prevalence of Hep C is of no surprise.

Godspeed to Brother Pierno.