FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2025
January is Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month
BCPFFA Raises Awareness and Advocates for Fire Fighter Health Access
Vancouver, BC – January marks Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month, a vital initiative by the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) to highlight the heightened cancer risks fire fighters face and promote strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Background
Throughout January, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Fire Fighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) will provide vital education and resources to reduce cancer risks, emphasizing: Minimizing exposure to carcinogens, including PFAS, through improved station designs and protocols; Adopting enhanced safety measures during fire operations; and Promoting healthier lifestyle choices to address personal risk factors, such as nutrition and stress management.
Fire fighters face a significantly higher risk of cancer due to occupational exposures than from fire-related injuries or other on-scene incidents. Among the hazardous substances contributing to this risk are per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," commonly found in fire-fighting foams and protective gear. “It’s the hidden threat,” says President Schierling! “PFAS have been linked to numerous cancers and other health conditions, making their reduction and elimination a top priority for fire fighter safety.”
Legislative Progress in Cancer Awareness and Coverage
In June 2023, federal Bill C-224 became law, establishing a national framework to prevent and address cancers linked to fire fighting. This legislation designates January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada, strengthening occupational cancer coverage. This Act will help IAFF affiliates advance occupational cancer coverage at the provincial level to ensure fair and equitable compensation and support for fire fighters who contract the disease. In October 2024, the five-year plan was released, a $12.29 million investment from the Government of Canada aims to better detect, treat, and prevent fire fighter occupational cancer – the leading cause of line-of-duty death among IAFF members.
Additionally, in July 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified occupational exposure as a fire fighter as a Group 1 carcinogen —its highest risk designation. This reinforces the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect fire fighters.
In British Columbia, the Workers Compensation Act recognizes 18 occupational cancers, including bladder, brain, breast, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, leukemia, lung, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate, testicular, ureter, pancreatic, thyroid, penile, cervical, and ovarian cancers. Despite this, BC ranks fourth nationally in recognized cancer coverage.
British Columbia ranks fourth in the country, with 18 types of cancer recognized under the BC Workers Compensation Act.
Advocacy for Expanded Coverage
BCPFFA President Schierling expressed enthusiasm over the strong, united support from all sides of the house for expanding presumptive cancer coverage under the Workers Compensation Act to include "all cancer sites" and lower the cumulative employment period required for coverage eligibility. This critical update would align with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)'s comprehensive list of occupational cancer classifications, encompassing areas such as the digestive system, female reproductive system, respiratory system, skin, bones, and other systems of concern.
“We are not done”, Schierling says. The BCPFFA is also calling for action to address the growing number of cancer diagnoses among fire fighters, urging the provincial government to 1) Provide fire fighters early health screening access to annual medical and cancer screenings for early detection and intervention. 2) Support the Occupational Disease Planned Inspection Initiative to reduce workplace risks. 3) Eliminate PFAS exposure by advocating for the replacement of PFAS-containing materials in fire-fighting foams and gear with safer alternatives.
Advocacy for Fire Fighter Health Screening
“Prevention and early detection is key,” says President Schierling. “By taking these steps, we can protect fire fighters from unnecessary harm and prevent more names from being added to the Line of Duty Death list on the BC Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.”
Schierling emphasizes, “Early detection not only saves lives but also reduces the economic impact on the health system and screening cost-effectiveness. Studies show that treating cancer in stages 1 to 2 is far less expensive than dealing with advanced stages 3 to 4, and it significantly improves firefighters’ chances of recovery. Regular screenings can make a crucial difference in both lives and costs.”
In relation to Worker Compensation clam benefits, detected early, a non-fatal occupational cancer claim costs approximately $35,000, compared to over $500,000 per fatal claim involving compensation for firefighters with families. (Source: WSIB Enterprise Information Warehouse, WSIB Information Management Catalogue, WSIB DataHub as of October 22, 2024).
A recent 2023 study from British Columbia highlights the rising costs of breast cancer screening and treatment. Costs for invasive cancer in BC (2023) averaged $39,263 (stage I), $76,446 (stage II), $97,668 (stage III) and 370,398, for stage IV, with costs reaching as high as $516,415. Weighted by molecular subtype proportions, costs were $31,749 (stage I), $66,758 (stage II), $111,368 (stage III), and $289,598 (stage IV).
Stage IV and III costs were significantly higher than stage I and II.
Cancer’s Impact on Fire Fighters
In Canada, from 2015 to 2024, 94% of line-of-duty deaths (550 out of 585) are attributed to occupational cancer. In British Columbia, during the same period, 87% of these deaths (80 out of 92) are also due to occupational cancer. At the upcoming 2025 Biennial BC Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, 88% of the names being recognized (23 out of 26) are a result of occupational cancer.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to the health and safety of our members,” says President Schierling. “Swift diagnosis and treatment exercising early screening will save lives and reduce healthcare costs. We urge the government to mandate employer-led prevention programs, allow access to regular health screenings, and the phasing out of harmful substances like PFAS to safeguard the well-being of our fire fighters.”
Continued Advocacy
In March, BCPFFA leaders will meet in Victoria during the Robert E. Hall Legislative Conference to lobby the provincial government for stronger protections and resources for fire fighters and their families. At the 7th Biennial BC Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Victoria this March, we will pay tribute to 26 of our fallen fire fighters.
We are calling on the Provinicial Government to
1) Amend the Workers’ BC Compensation Act - Firefighters' Occupational Disease Regulation by expanding presumptive cancer coverage to,
➔ include all forms of cancer sites under section 140 (1) (b) of the act; and
➔ lower the employment period requirements for eligibility to two years under section 140 (2) (a) of the act.
2) Provide firefighters with early diagnostic testing such as annual exams, laboratory tests, and cancer screening as medically necessary for firefighters in British Columbia. This includes changes to the current Medical Services Plan (MSP) to cover the costs. These changes will address the BC Cancer Agency's High Risk Screening Requirements and provide additional best practice screening for fire fighters at the highest risk for cancer.
To safeguard firefighter health, we must focus on prevention through early detection.
Comprehensive health screening programs tailored to firefighters will improve survival rates, reduce the emotional toll on families, and lower the overall cost of treatment. By prioritizing early detection, we can ensure firefighters don't need to rely on presumptive legislation alone to secure the care they deserve.
The BCPFFA remains committed to reducing occupational cancer risks and ensuring the health and safety of every fire fighter in British Columbia.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jane Spitz
Communications Manager
BC Professional Fire Fighters Association
c: (604) 916-8499
