B.C. firefighters want the province to phase out the cancer-causing so-called B次元官网网址榝orever chemicalsB次元官网网址� found in personal protective gear and foam.
B次元官网网址淚 think B.C. has a great opportunity here to lead across the nation,B次元官网网址� Todd Schierling, president of the BC Professional Fire FightersB次元官网网址� Association said Thursday (March 14). He said the plan has the support of the national professional firefighters organization, and similar legislation has been adapted in more than 30 states in the United States.
Schierling was speaking to media with members of his 4,500-member organizationB次元官网网址檚 executive and BC Green House Leader Adam Olsen, who had tabled a private memberB次元官网网址檚 bill calling for the change that morning.
The bill would phase out polyfluoroalkyl substances found in personal protective gear and foam. Research from the United States has linked PFAS with various types of cancer with manufacturers facing legal actions.
Schierling said these cancer-causing substances can seep out of firefightersB次元官网网址� personal protective gears while they are sweating on the job.
B次元官网网址淭his is our best protection against fire, smoke, flames,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut we also call itB次元官网网址 cancer blanket. It is laced with (these forever chemicals).B次元官网网址�
Firefighters can also absorb them through foam, he added.
Schierling said firefighters work in a carcinogenic environment all the time, adding that the International Agency for Cancer Research has deemed firefighting a Group 1 carcinogenic profession, meaning firefighting is carcinogenic. Past classifications had only deemed it possible that firefighters may get cancer.
The bill calls on the provincial government to develop province-wide gear regulations that would include phasing out PFAS.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services has announced that it would be phasing out of PFAS-containing firefighting gear, but Olsen said more needs to be done to avoid a two-tier system where some departments have access to safer equipment.
He sees province-wide regulation coupled with financial support as especially important given the reliance of smaller, rural communities on volunteer departments.
B次元官网网址淚n my experienceB次元官网网址maller services have a much more difficult job in convincing local governments, regional districts, improvements services (to invest) because of just tight budgeting,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o by setting a provincial standard, we are ensuring that whether you are pressed into action in a rural community in British Columbia or in downtown Vancouver, every firefighter gets the same level of protection.B次元官网网址�
Brian Catinus, BCPFFAB次元官网网址檚 secretary-treasurer, said he hopes the bill will help departments shift toward safer protective gear. Departments must change gears about every 10 years anyway, he said.
B次元官网网址淪ome departments, unfortunately exceed those 10 years.B次元官网网址�
Phasing out cancer-causing B次元官网网址榝orever chemicalsB次元官网网址� would also send a larger signal, Olsen said. It would tell would-be volunteers that government is taking their safety and long-term health seriously. I
Private member bills often face a difficult, often futile path toward passage, but Olsen thinks it can become law.
B次元官网网址淭his is a good bill,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think when government takes a look at how this bill was drafted and the content in it, I think they will have a hard criticizing it just on its own.B次元官网网址�
BC United has also recently called for improvements for mental health supports for firefighters and BCPFFA has had discussions with government around these issues, Schierling said.
Counting all types of firefighters, B.C. has about 12,000 firefighters.
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