Firefighters win expanded cancer coverage in British Columbia

by Featured News

Fire fighters in British Columbia who contract thyroid or pancreatic because of workplace exposures will now have better access to compensation and support services from the province’s Workers Compensation system it has been announced.

A regulatory amendment adding the new cancers was signed on 8 November and applies to fire fighters with at least 10 years of service. The move brings the number of cancers deemed occupational for the purpose of workers’ compensation benefits in the state to 18, following ongoing advocacy by the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association.

IAFF Senior Executive for Western Operations and BCPFFA President Gord Ditchburn said he was grateful to BC’s NDP Government for listening to fire fighters: “Recognising the health challenges that fire fighters face is extremely important to our membership as they put their lives on the line every day in communities across this province.”

IAFF General President Edward Kelly congratulated the BCPFFA for the latest expansion of its members’ presumptive coverage. He said: “Cancer is an epidemic in the fire service. Presumptive coverage goes a long way in ensuring fire fighters who experience occupational cancers get the compensation and support they deserve, and I’m glad our members in British Columbia now have these additional protections.”

The state’s Labour Minister Harry Bains acknowledged that fire fighters are still exposed to dangerous substances from burning materials despite the use of protective safety equipment: “Over time, exposure can lead to serious, sometimes deadly, illnesses where prompt treatment is critical. I am proud to support these brave workers who selflessly put their health and lives on the line to keep British Columbians safe.”

British Columbia joins Yukon Territory, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador which also added thyroid and pancreatic coverage earlier this year. The province, which is home to 4,400 IAFF members in 52 locals, first enacted presumptive legislation for fire fighters in 2003. BC also includes mental health disorders and heart injury in its presumptive coverage for fire fighters.

Dräger launches ‘Health for the Firefighter’ campaign in response to firefighters’ health concerns

by Projects

Dräger is launching its ‘Health for the Firefighter’ campaign to support fire services in driving the cultural changes that are required to protect firefighter health.

The launch follows a survey* of UK firefighters that found considerable concern over the impact of exposure to contaminants on long-term health. Some 84% admitted they were concerned about the risk of cancer – a disease highlighted in some scientific reports to be the leading cause of death within the service.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) reports that nearly two out of three (61%) firefighter line-of-duty deaths between 2002 and 2017 were caused by cancer. Embedded carcinogens in any equipment can easily be absorbed by the men and women using it.

The survey by Dräger also found that more than two thirds (68%) of firefighters fear the impact of Covid-19 on their long-term health, a point picked up by Brian Hesler, Consultant and Specialist Advisor at Draeger Safety UK and former Chief Fire Officer for the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service:

“The Covid-19 pandemic, and the ongoing fears over cancer, have highlighted the critical importance of hygiene, and a significant cultural change is required. We need to move away from firefighters wearing dirty kit like a badge of honour that proves their hard work and value, to understanding that clean and well-maintained kit supported by detailed and robust hygiene processes that mitigate every contact with contaminants are essential.

“One firefighter surveyed said ‘they had always been a bit blasé about invisible contaminants’. This has got to change.”

The Health for the Firefighter campaign will support the fire services in helping to communicate and provide training on the importance of detailed hygiene processes; from the handling and storage of masks and breathing apparatus (BA) equipment through to the subsequent cleaning of the kit after an incident has occurred.

It will also provide bespoke workshop solutions that guide the potentially contaminated kit from entering the station, to washing and drying processes through to leaving the station to be used again.

In addition to providing detailed advice for manual washing processes including on detergent use and drying techniques, Dräger is the first company in the Emergency Services space to launch specialist BA and mask cleaning equipment and dedicated solutions, including mechanical washing systems that provide complete consistency in washing temperatures, the amount of detergent used, speed and temperature of drying – which can all work together to disinfect contaminants and to protect the longevity of the kit.  Support also encompasses logistical support for installation, the ongoing maintenance of equipment and the quantity of stock required.

The survey revealed the most important factors in combating firefighter concerns over contaminants were the cleaning of masks with 97% rating this as very or extremely important, closely followed by the cleaning of BA equipment (95%) and cleaning of PPE (94%).

While manual cleaning of equipment is still generally the norm within UK Fire Services, the survey revealed three quarters (75%) believed that mechanical equipment washing would improve their health, and 80% agreed that as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic more emphasis should be placed on cleaning equipment and hygiene control. However, only 23% said that the pandemic had significantly changed their approach to cleaning equipment.

“There is obvious concern over cleaning of equipment following the pandemic,” adds Brian. “One surveyed firefighter said ‘they clean to the best of their ability’ – the point is that a person’s ability should not be a factor in the cleaning process. Consistency has to be key and manufacturers of medical and safety technology products have a responsibility to innovate solutions that support change. We are not here to tell brigades how to operate, rather to provide a range of solutions that support them and their firefighters’ health.”

*Survey conducted in July 2020, including 122 responses from people working in the UK Fire Services.

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