2024-07-07 22:32:29
Various groups are mobilizing to convince the New Brunswick government to improve the medical care coverage provided to firefighters in the province.
Although it was a pioneer about fifteen years ago, New Brunswick today does little in the way of coverage for certain cancers that firefighters can suffer during their lifetime.
With 10 cancers identified by WorkSafeNB regulations, the province is second in Canada in this regard. Some provinces cover up to twenty different cancers.
With this in mind, members of the official opposition tabled motion 73 which calls for the types of cancers currently recognized to be expanded.
The motion highlights the high risks firefighters face due to their exposure to carcinogens while performing their duties.
According to the Member of Parliament for Edmundston-Madawaska-Centre, Jean-Claude D’Amours, this gap leaves an unnecessary burden on these courageous people who risk their lives and must face huge financial and medical challenges when they are diagnosed with cancer.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day and face enormous dangers that most of us can’t even imagine. It is very unfair that they will have financial difficulties if they get cancer because of their work. This motion aims to ensure that a more comprehensive list of cancers is covered by WorkSafe regulations and that we do not abandon those who give so much to keep our communities safe.”
The proposed resolution encourages the New Brunswick government to update Regulation 2009-72 to include more comprehensive assistance available in neighboring provinces.
It specifically provides for the inclusion of breast cancer, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, skin cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer and mesothelioma.
For its part, WorkSafeNB launched a public consultation process on the Firefighters’ Compensation Act which concluded in May.
According to a WorkSafeNB spokesperson, more than 700 participants shared their views and personal experiences.
The organization is now examining the views to make recommendations for legislative changes.
Numerous dangers await firefighters
For Roger Pitre, fire chief of the Rogersville brigade, in New Arcadia, and a member of the New Brunswick Fire Chiefs Association, it is important to improve coverage for these workers who are exposed to various dangers.
“We want the government to recognize that our career or volunteer firefighters need to be more covered if something happens to them. This is something we can say to our firefighters, if anything happens to them, we can help them.”
He estimates that health problems such as cardiovascular accidents or cancer cause about half of the deaths related to the profession. However, he says not all deaths related to these causes are known, as many occur years into a firefighter’s career.
“If a firefighter has a heart attack 48 hours after fighting a fire, he’s more likely to call the shots. A person who dies of throat or prostate cancer several years later is underreported.”
Cancer-related coverage also varies depending on years of service. For esophageal cancer to be covered without a problem, you have to work at least 25 years as a firefighter. Cover for brain cancer requires 10 years of service, while cover for leukemia is five years.
“That’s why we’re strong on documentation, because we want to make sure that if one of our firefighters needs health care, they don’t lose years of service.”
In a context where recruitment is becoming more difficult, it could be an asset to give potential firefighters more confidence. For the most experienced firefighters, improving medical coverage could put them at ease.
“I’ve been a firefighter for almost 30 years and I could wake up tomorrow morning with cancer. It would be good to know that the government supports us a little more with these things.”
Health Canada has also indicated that firefighters have a 9% higher risk of cancer diagnosis, and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than members of the general public.
According to Rogersville’s fire chief, firefighters face a range of risks that have evolved over the years. The composition of the materials with which houses are now made adds to the increase in risk.
“In the 50s and 60s, buildings were made with more organic materials, more solid wood. Today, houses are lighter in construction, with lots of glue, plastic, etc. These are all highly carcinogenic things.”
However, many fire brigades take steps to mitigate the risks of exposure to toxic materials. In New Arcadia, firefighters generally have two uniforms that they change from one intervention to another.
In this way, they can clean their other clothes and therefore reduce their exposure to carcinogenic substances.
“The brigades are proactive, but better protection is needed so far.”
“Even if we don’t have fewer “cowboys” than before, because we follow stricter rules, there is still a risk to our health.”
Efforts across the country
In June 2023, the Canadian Parliament unanimously passed Bill C-224, regarding the development of a national framework for the prevention and treatment of firefighting-related cancer.
In accordance with this announcement, Health Canada launched a targeted mobilization process to contribute to the development of a national framework for firefighting-related cancers and to promote greater access to cancer prevention and treatment.
In a consultative exercise, firefighters and their organizations, health professionals, cancer groups, researchers, indigenous organizations and different levels of government participated in the mobilization process.
In particular, participants emphasized the need to understand the diverse needs of Canadian firefighters, including structural firefighters, wildland firefighters, volunteer firefighters, female firefighters and Indigenous firefighters, as well as the links between many of these groups.
Firefighters also expressed frustration with their experiences with the health care system, particularly regarding the lack of awareness among doctors about their perceived increased cancer risks.
Many firefighters reported that they did not have access to practical information about how to protect themselves from occupational hazards associated with firefighting, including exposure to toxic chemicals. Participants emphasized the need to bridge the gap between academic research and practical realities on the ground.
One of the biggest concerns of Canadian firefighters is the inequity of presumed workers’ compensation coverage. Firefighters have revealed the personal toll of a cancer diagnosis and how navigating the workers’ compensation system adds to the financial and emotional stress on them and their families.
“With the New Brunswick association and the Canadian Firefighters Association, we’re trying to push the ball in the same direction. There is still some variation between the provinces, which means we are at the bottom of the list, but we are lobbying to improve our lot,” concluded Roger Pitre.
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