RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS.
Since 2005, your BC Affiliate Leaders have successfully lobbied legislation into the Workers’ Compensation Act, twenty occupational diseases related to the profession of fire fighting. See Legislation to the Workers Compensation Act for the following:
CANCER
Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death for fire fighters. In 2023, parliament passed a bill that will help ease some of treatment costs, but we continue to lobby for mandatory prevention programs such as medical screening, push for research that helps reduce any pollutants in our gear, and provide resource support for members facing these illnesses from on-the-job exposure.
Mental Health
Our frontline workers are faced with witnessing traumatic events over their career, whether it’s a single event or series of traumatic events, their mental health is impacted. It can lead to Operational Stress Injuries, bringing the stress home to their families. The key is prevention and education! The BCPFFA advocates for upstream so members can better equip themselves with tools to cope and deal with issues. The BCPFFA also provide members with mental health & addiction resources to help them when in need.
The Opioid Crisis
The IAFF has launched this online series providing an in-depth understanding of opioid epidemic impacting the United States and Canada. This series is designed for fire service personnel and civilians. Each segment includes at least one video and corresponding podcast to provide more in-depth discussion and commentary.
SAFE STAFFING
NFPA 1710 - Industry Standard for Fire Departments: Safe Staffing, provides the minimum requirements relating to the organization and deployment of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations to the public by career fire departments.
The NFPA 1710 standard is based on science and research and it says fire engines and ladders should always each have a minimum of four firefighters.
Our industry uses a standard called NFPA 1710 to determine how to properly staff fire halls, fire trucks and ambulances.
Building Codes
Proposed Single Egress Stairway Plan Designs
What is the BCPFFA doing about this?
Over the past 6 months during a consultation process with the Provincial Government, the BCPFFA, FCABC, OFC addressed the issues of SES. The BCPFFA issued a letter to the Ministry of Housing and this position paper on SES in May 2024.
Your executive board is coordinating with the IAFF Canada and IAFF Headquarters, Metro Chiefs, FCABC, OFC and OPFFA (Ontario) where this issue was occurring as well. We are unified in our position of opposing SES plan designs.
Now that the Government has released the final report, further consultation and a coordinated response from the BCPFFA/FCABC and IAFF/Metro Chiefs will continue to educate all levels of government, the public and members.