By Marianne Christy

Brian McQueen, a 38-year veteran of the Whitesboro Fire Department, is known by his peers as someone who exemplifies the qualities of a volunteer firefighter.

As past chief and current Deputy Fire Coordinator “271” for Oneida County, McQueen has faced his fair share of emergency situations, but perhaps none so great as receiving word from his doctor that he had Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. 

The news was delivered on Christmas eve 2013, and like a true emergency provider, he sprang immediately into action in seeking treatment.

Under the advisement of cancer survivors, Memorial Sloane Kettering in New York City was where he needed to be, and following 20 days of Intensified Modulated Radiation Therapy, he completed treatment on March 21, 2014.

Upon return to the facility for a review of his progress on May 6, 2014, a PET scan revealed no signs of cancer.

At the start of his journey, McQueen became aware that his cancer was most likely related to his years of fire service.

Studies have supported a higher risk of certain cancers in firefighters compared to the general population…in his case, 1.51 times greater than the average.

Prior to heading off to NYC, personnel from neighboring Barneveld Fire Department suggested selling helmet stickers as a fundraiser to assist with expenses related to McQueen’s treatment, such as transportation, food and lodging.

McQueen was touched by the offer, but instead suggested they take any fundraising efforts to the next level to help firefighters and emergency personnel with a greater need of assistance.

And hence, Believe 271 Fund was founded. Since its inception in February 2014, the fund has distributed approximately $100,000 of financial aid to 30 firefighters battling illnesses most likely related to their volunteer efforts.

Fire agencies representing Oneida and Herkimer Counties banded together to raise funds through spaghetti dinners and fish frys, wine and beer tastings, and sales of stickers and other Believe 271 merchandise including shirts, sweatshirts and coozies.

In the meantime, McQueen and his wife Sarah have made appearances and educated almost 1,200 people in the 120 departments across New York state of the escalated health risks faced by firefighters.

“We’ve gone from Nassau to Niagara counties with our program…giving our first right here in Old Forge during last fall’s annual fire school.

From then on it’s just picked up and gone crazy…it’s amazing, it’s actually become a movement,” McQueen said.

He is currently working on securing funds through the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties to purchase extractors and industrial washing machines for area departments unable to absorb the hefty costs of the equipment.

According to McQueen, NYS regulations require that  gear be washed twice a year and after every major structure fire.

In an act of solidarity for McQueen’s cause, Otter Lake Fire Chief Jeff Abrial and Old Forge Chief Charlie Bogardus have announced that their respective departments will assist with Believe 271 fundraising by conducting a can drive that is currently in effect and will run through the fall.

Residents, visitors and businesses are asked to support the effort by dropping their empty cans at receptacles bearing the Believe 271 logo that will be placed outside their fire houses.

Donations should be free of residue and other garbage.

A team of local volunteers will sort and count them prior to pickup and redemption.

McQueen said 100 percent of the proceeds will be directed to the Believe 271 Fund.

Anyone seeking more information about the effort or requesting a pickup can call Chief Abrial at (315) 534-9340 or Chief Bogardus at 369-5031.

More information about Believe 271 can be found at: www.believe 271.com.