Blank

Miller, Diane M.

-----Original Message-----

From: Bill Hayes Q00A Aim
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2% 9:22 PM

To: NIOCINDOCKET@CDC

Ce:

Subject: Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) (42CFR Part 83)

Please accept these comments to be included in the Public Docket for 42 CFR, Part 83, Special Exposure
Cohort.

| am asking that strong consideration and approval be given to add the Hanford Fire Department and all of
its members as a Special Exposure Cohort.

| believe that Hanford Firefighters hired before 1985 should be added under Section 42 CFR Part 83 asa
special Exposure Cohort group; as there cannot possibly be accurate records for these people in regards to

their radiation exposures while performing their duties at the Department of Energy's site in Hanford,
Washington.

| make this statement, because these firefighters had dosimetry cards that'were located behind their
security badges in the same holder. These badges with the dosimeter were always under heavy protective
clothing when worn and secured in blue coverall pockets. (Frant pocket, Breast pocket and/or Rear pocket)

For example, as a firefighter | responded to radiological hazardous facilities and incidents in the 1970's
through the early years of the 1980's with my dosimeter located behind my security badge as directed by
security and dosimetry. And as stated above, my badge with my dosimeter may have been in my hip pocket,
front pocket or breast pocket. It also may have been left in the fire truck due to the coveralls not having any
secured pockets to keep it in and still perform my duties as a fire fighter. (No one wanted to loose their
security badge that was a definite no, no and could be considered a security infraction.)

Its also a known fact that the 100-N reactor site through the 1980's did not even use the most readily
available technology to track and read dosimetry results for its own employees and visitors to the 100-N area
facilities and buildings.

We were often asked to wear the 100-N dosimetry equipment, pencils, rings etc.; but | cannot find any
record of me doing so.

When not performing emergency response at this facially, | was often found inspecting/testing the fire
suppression sprinkler system for the 100-N Inner and Outer rod rooms when the reactor was down for
maintenance. Surely you would think that there would be some record of my radiation exposures while | was
doing this work. (But | have found none.) But | do remember after doing this work having a specimen
container for me to urinate in, delivered to my front door for many weeks and then on a monthly basis for

some time. (Why was That?) The firefighters working with me also had these containers delivered to their
front doors, too.

| was not the only firefighter to be exposed in these ways and many other ways while employed to keep the
site safe for its employees and the off site Public.

As firefighters we depended mistakenly on all the contractors to track our radiation doses. Unfortunately not
all Hanford contractors used the same techniques and technology to read and record dosimetry results. In
the 1970's through the 1980's there were as many as five (5) contractors at Hanford, all with their own
Radiation procedures and rules and protocols. At present there are three (3) major contractors.

I'm the Deputy Hanford Fire Department Fire Chief and was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
in April of 2000. I've been employed at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation since December 1972.

Page 1 of 2


Also, in the year 2000 our Fire Chief was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He has previously employed in

the early 1960's and 1970's at the Rocky Flats Nuclear site. While employed at this site he was involved in
one of the nations largest plutonium fires ever at any Department of Energy site or the then known AEC. He
was given a commendation for his bravery and dedication for Performing above and beyond the call of duty

as a firefighter trying to protect the site Personnel, the interest of the US Government and his efforts in trying

to protect the Surrounding public and communities. He also cannot find or obtain records showing any true

The emergency services organizations and its people are usually the last to know when something wrong
has happened at these sites and are the people who dedicate themselves to protecting the government's
interest, property and the public on a 24 hour a day basis 7 days a week.

So please make sure that all these emergency services workers who have filed claims and may file later
receive special attention as they have been and still are Providing the best loyal service they can to the
United States Government and to the surrounding communities and public.

Deputy Fire Chief
William R. Hayes