New measures will 'better prevent, detect and treat cancers linked to firefighting'
Tackling the leading cause of job-related deaths for firefighters in the country, the federal government is investing $12.29 million to improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting.
“Across Canada, firefighters put themselves in harm's way to keep our communities safe, including by helping to fight wildland fires that have increased in severity in recent years due to climate change,” said Health Canada. “Because of their regular exposure to toxic chemicals from burning materials and firefighting foams, firefighters face a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer, and a higher risk of dying from cancer, than the general public.”
In Canada, there are more than 126,000 firefighters working in rural, urban, and wildland settings to respond to fire, weather-related, and medical emergencies each day, of which 70% are volunteers.
To track health outcomes across firefighter populations and to better understand firefighter cancer incidence and mortality, Ottawa will also establish a National Firefighter Cancer Registry, led by Statistics Canada, to track health outcomes over time. Health Canada will also initiate targeted research on cancers linked to firefighting to build scientific evidence for underrepresented sub-populations of firefighters.
Previously, several provinces – including Ontario and Nova Scotia – provided more coverage for firefighters related to cancer acquired in their line of work.
Building awareness of cancers in firefighting
Health Canada will convene stakeholders to raise awareness of cancers linked to firefighting, mobilize partners and identify opportunities for coordinated action. The government will also establish a national advisory group with all orders of government, Indigenous partners and key stakeholders, and develop online resources of accessible health information.
The new investments will support the development of guidance for diagnostic testing and new tools to address training needs within the health care sector. This could lead to earlier diagnoses that may result in better health outcomes, said the government. They will also support the development of standards for wildland firefighters to support improved occupational health and safety for their unique needs.
"Every day, firefighters put their lives at risk to save ours. Their dangerous work comes with an increased risk of cancer, and we need to address that. That's why we're announcing new measures to better prevent, detect and treat cancers linked to firefighting,” said Mark Holland, minister of health. “We all need to work together to ensure those that keep us safe are protected."
Labour union British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters (BCPFFA) welcomed the new initiatives.
"This is a monumental step forward in protecting the health and safety of firefighters across Canada,” said BCPFFA President Todd Schierling, according to the union’s Facebook page.
“We applaud the government of Canada for recognizing the urgent need to address occupational cancers and committing to all six support pillars. This framework will make a real difference in the lives of our members and their families. Thanks to IAFF leadership and our Canadian Government for making this happen.”
This comprehensive framework encompasses six essential pillars, the group noted:
- Pillar #1 – Research on Cancers Linked to Firefighting
- Pillar #2 – Research on Cancer Prevention & Data Collection
- Pillar #3 – Training and Education in Health Care Settings
- Pillar #4 – Diagnostic Testing for Firefighters
- Pillar #5 – Information & Knowledge Sharing
- Pillar #6 – Standards on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation
In 2023, Canada gave royal assent to Bill C-224 – An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting.
Since 2021, Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada have advanced research under its Action Plan to protect firefighters from harmful exposures released during household fires, and have taken regulatory action on harmful flame retardants and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
