Brothers & Sisters,
Many of you realize the purpose of a local is to improve the working conditions we all
experience. But there is a flip side to that coin; sometimes we must help one of our own
to overcome a serious situation in their life. Today I am asking you to do just that.
Brother Andrew (Kevin) Newman from PAX River needs our help. Kevin is the victim
of cancer to his vocal cords. This type of cancer is likely to be caused by exposure to
diesel exhaust. Kevin has been undergoing treatment for his cancer for several months.
He has undergone several surgical procedures, the latest of which left him without a
vocal box and with a permanent stoma.
Fortunately, Kevin has regained partial ability to speak through the use of other muscles
in the trachea. Unfortunately, this does not allow the stoma from which he breathes to be
closed. And as I am sure you know, Kevin can not wear an SCBA and have his airway
be adequately protected in a fire.
Therefore, it appears that Kevin’s career as a fire fighter will soon come to an end. Kevin
has filed all the necessary forms to leave the fire service. Until he receives the approval
for disability retirement or another job in a non-fire service position he still needs to
provide for his family, including a toddler. Kevin has been doing this so far through the
use of sick & annual leave which will soon run out. He is now properly enrolled in the
leave donor program and we are asking that you consider donating to Kevin.
Hyperlinked to this correspondence, you will find an SF-630 form that is used to donate
leave. Please complete the form donating as much annual leave as you can spare. Be
sure to notate that the recipient is Andrew (Kevin) Newman. Once you complete the
form please contact the Battalion Chief at NAS PAX (301) 342-1403 or (301) 342-1392
OR District Chief Kennett (301) 757-4680 for instructions on faxing your leave donation
forms.
Please consider helping Kevin, I am sure he would help anyone of us should we be in
need.
ALL,
Here is an opportunity to help a fellow DoD
firefighter. The leave donation forms are enclosed
with the leave donor information in place. Please
complete and fax your forms as directed below and the
agency has indicated they will fill in any additional
information that may be required.
Let's give this the widest possible dissemination.
The TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN initiative was launched in
October 2005 to provide a support network for DoD
Fire and Emergency Services personnel to help members
suffering from a personal crisis resulting in a need
for leave donations. The objective is to ask each
member of the DoD F&ES family to donate at least onehour of annual leave to allow our members to
concentrate on recovering rather than worrying about
income in their time of need. Naturally, the
initiative is completely voluntary and no member
should be pressured to donate. Here is another urgent
opportunity to take care of one of our own.
Naval District Washing (NAS Patuxent River District)
Fire Department Firefighter Andrew (Kevin) Newman is
approved for the leave donor program. Kevin is a
victim of cancer to his vocal cords. At this point
OWCP is not covering the illness and he remains
unable to work. Kevin has been undergoing treatment
for his cancer for several months and has undergone
several surgical procedures; the latest left him
without a vocal box and with a permanent stoma.
Fortunately, Kevin has regained partial ability to
speak through the use of other muscles in the
trachea. Unfortunately, this does not allow the
stoma from which he breathes to be closed. And as I
am sure you know, Kevin can not wear an SCBA and have
his airway be adequately protected in a fire.
Therefore, it appears that Kevin’s career as a fire
fighter will soon come to an end. Kevin has filed
all the necessary forms to leave the fire service.
Until he receives the approval for disability
retirement or another job in a non-fire service
position he still needs to provide for his family,
including a toddler.
Kevin has been using sick & annual leave which will
soon run out. He is now properly enrolled in the
leave donor program and we are asking that you
consider donating to Kevin.
Attached to this e-mail you will find an SF-630 form
that is used to voluntarily donate leave. Please
complete the form donating as much annual leave as
you can spare.
Please keep Kevin and his family in your thoughts and
prayers.
POC Information: NDW NAS Patuxent River FD POC: George
Kennett, PHONE: 301-757-4680 DSN PHONE: 757-4680, email:
george.kennett@navy.mil
FAX number to send completed Forms 630a/630b:301-757-3221
DSN: 757-3221
Mail Address: NDW F&ES NAS Patuxent River, 21936 Bundy Rd.
Rm. 208, Patuxent River, Md. 20670
Those individuals desiring to donate should contact Chief Kennett
and/or Fax forms to the number above.