Four more cancers are being added to the list of those with presumptive WCB coverage for Alberta firefighters.
Trevor Breitenbucher, president of the Airdrie Professional Firefighters Association, said this is a step in the right direction.
“Firefighters are exposed to more and more hazardous conditions because of new construction materials,” he said. “This increases the number of cancers that are covered to the most in Canada, so Alberta is taking the lead.”
The four cancers added to the presumptive coverage list are prostate, breast, skin and multiple myeloma, bringing the total to 14.
If a firefighter is diagnosed with these, or any of the other 10 cancers on the list, and the firefighter meets the exposure criteria, the cancer is presumed to be work related.
“Our firefighters dedicate their careers to protecting us,” said Provincial Minister of Employment and Immigration Thomas Lukaszuk.
“We have an obligation to do what we can to protect them - and that’s what we’re doing. Alberta firefighters, along with those in Manitoba, now have access to the most comprehensive list of presumptive cancers in all of Canada.”
Although there are many factors that can contribute to the risk of contracting cancer, firefighters are at greater risk than the general public of being exposed to a variety of toxic or cancer-causing agents when they approach burning buildings.
In May 2010, esophageal and testicular cancer were added to the list of cancers considered to be “presumptive” or presumed to be work-related without requiring proof.
“This is something we’ve been lobbying for along with other fire departments,” said Breitenbucher.
“Since this first came into effect in 2003, we have asked for additional coverage and we are happy with this although we would eventually like to see more (cancers) added.”
WCB-Alberta provides compensation to all covered workers if they are injured or contract an illness as a result of work. More information on WCB presumptive coverage of cancers for firefighters can be found online at wcb.ab.ca/pdfs/workers/WFS_Firefighters_with_cancer.pdf
