Firefighter Will Attempt to Set Ohio Record for 100 Consecutiv...( INDIANAPOLIS Sept. ...),Health

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Firefighter Joe Frolick, Wayne Township Fire Department, will attempt to set the Ohio state record for the most consecutive skydives at the Start Skydiving drop zone in Lebanon, Ohio on September 4, 2009. His mission: To memorialize the hundreds of people who die from smoke inhalation annually, and to create awareness about education that exists to prevent these unnecessary deaths. "As a firefighter, I am very concerned about the number of deaths related to smoke inhalation - despite the fact that the number of fires is steadily declining. As a paramedic, I am aware of the valuable academic, hands-on, and real-life training scenarios the Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition (CPTC) offers to firefighters and members of the medical community to effectively teach first responders how to treat smoke inhalation. As the nation's leading authority on fire smoke in the fire service, I selected the CPTC as the beneficiary of 100 Reasons. While more than 100 people die annually from smoke inhalation approximately 100 firefighters die attempting to save lives, so I named this event 100 Reasons and will attempt 100 consecutive skydives in one day."

According to informal data collection, the CPTC reports nearly 600 smoke inhalation deaths since January 1, 2009 and more than half were children. In addition to deaths, at least 1,100 people were either treated at the scene or hospitalized for smoke inhalation. "If 1,700 people were treated or died from a virus - it would be an epidemic," stated Shawn Longerich, executive director. "Smoke inhalation is far more deadly than ever before. What we have in our homes today is very different from 10 years ago. Laminates, foam cushions, mattresses and bedding made of synthetics, plastics, acrylics - emit hydrogen cyanide during the combustion process," said Longerich. Until fire departments and medical communities come together to embrace cyani
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