HRM council directs staff to create cancer screening program for firefighters

CITYnews halifax / By Rachel Morgan

Halifax councillors unanimously approved a motion directing staff to create a preventative cancer screening program for firefighters Wednesday.

The move comes after Brendan Meagher, President of the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters Association (HPFF), made the request to council in February.

“Although every effort is made to protect firefighters from work-related hazards, there is evidence that repeated and acute exposures to the conditions present in their work environment increase the likelihood of illness and disease,” a briefing note from the municipality states. “For example, firefighters face an increased risk of developing a variety of cancers due to the occupational exposures as part of regular activities over a period of time (fire suppression, rescue and training exercises) and acute exposures related to catastrophic and extreme fire fighting.”

While the province provides benefits to firefighters diagnosed with any of the 19 identified primary site cancers, there is no early detection program.

Meagher said firefighters need a more proactive approach.