With cancer the leading cause of job-related deaths for Canadian firefighters, the Canadian government has introduced the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting, with a $12.29 million investment over five years.
However, long-term health complications from toxic substances are just some of the challenges firefighters and first responders face, says Scott Wilkinson, Deputy Chief of Fire Rescue Operations and Training with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS). Wilkinson emphasizes that societal issues such as homelessness, mental health, and addiction are leading to an increased number of calls and acts of violence toward first responders. Through community collaboration and services to house individuals and provide mental health support and addiction recovery, Wilkinson believes the incidents firefighters are seeing would be reduced, ensuring first responders and everyone in the community are safe.
