EMERGENCY POD - HOW DOGE CUTS HURT FIREFIGHTERS Featuring: Dr.Micah Niemeier-Walsh
March 02, 2025
EMERGENCY POD
HOW DOGE CUTS HURT FIREFIGHTERS
Featuring: Dr.Micah Niemeier-Walsh
In this emergency episode of Hazard Class Podcast, we break from our usual schedule to discuss an urgent situation affecting federal employees, particularly those working in firefighter health and safety. Dr. Micah Niemeyer-Walsh, Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3840, joins us to discuss sweeping cuts, the privatization of federal functions, and a concerning communications blackout at the CDC and NIOSH.
Dr. Niemeyer-Walsh provides first-hand insight into the impact of these changes on firefighter health programs and the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. We also explore the broader implications of restricting scientific communication and the sudden termination of federal employees.
Episode Breakdown & Timestamps
Introduction (0:00 - 0:35)
Host introduces the special emergency episode.
Explanation of why this episode is urgent.
Introduction of guest, Dr. Micah Niemeyer-Walsh.
Guest Introduction & Background (0:35 - 1:50)
Dr. Niemeyer-Walsh’s background in Environmental and Occupational Hygiene.
Her role in the Firefighter Health Program and National Firefighter Registry for Cancer.
The first-ever two-time guest on the podcast (though the first episode is yet to be released).
The Crisis: Government Cuts & Their Impact (1:50 - 6:02)
How the host was informed of the issue.
Federal workforce cuts affecting NIOSH and firefighter programs.
Dr. Niemeyer-Walsh emphasizes that she is speaking as a union member, not in her official government capacity.
The Fork in the Road Email – Federal Employee Ultimatum (6:02 - 7:40)
Employees received an email offering them an ultimatum:
Stay and face severe changes.
Resign and receive eight months of paid time off.
Parallels to Elon Musk’s handling of Twitter layoffs.
The questionable legality of the government’s offer.