Firefighters are exposed to hazardous chemicals and carcinogens while facing dangerous situations protecting their communities. The Ontario government committed the Fire Protection Grant to help fire departments purchase cancer prevention equipment and Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue recently received a grant of $164,000.00. An industrial decontamination machine will be installed; modern respiratory equipment and spare safety gear were also purchased. Equipment requires 12 to 24 hours to air dry after a wash in the decontamination machine but having spare supplies reduces the firefighter anxiety should there be another call within that time.
The World Health Organization recognizes firefighting as its highest level of occupational risk for cancer and the Ontario Disease Surveillance System estimates firefighters have a 23 percent higher risk of developing cancer. There are 33,000 municipal firefighters in Ontario but 25 to 30 dies of cancer yearly. Inhalation and skin absorption contribute to mesothelioma, testicular, bladder, prostate and throat cancers but exposure reduction practices can help reduce the risk.