Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands of the BC Green Party
On March 14, 2024, a private members bill, the "Firefighter Protection Act" was introduced in the BC Legislature. The motion was carried and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. This Private Members Bill, introduced by Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands of the BC Green Party, is a crucial step towards ensuring the well-being of firefighters in British Columbia. For more information view Media release and Transcript and Video reading of Private Members Bill
“The British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (BCPFFA) appreciates that the issue of fire fighter safety is being raised through this private members bill, and the BCPFFA will continue to advocate and work with the Province to safeguard our firefighters from dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ found in outdated protective gear,” says President Schierling.
At a press conference following the first reading in the BC Legislature, Schierling emphasized the importance of this bill, stating that the BC Government has the opportunity to lead the nation in mitigating the risk of exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and other harmful substances, and protect the safety of fire fighters.
Schierling goes on to say, “This bill is a crucial step towards protecting the safety of our fire fighters, and it will take efforts from all levels of government to make it happen. At the local government level, with the advocacy of IAFF Local 18 and Vancouver's Mayor Ken Sim’s commitment during the BCPFFA FIRE OPS in 2023, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services have initiated efforts to implement non-PFAS personal protective equipment.”
Our best protection from heat and smoke contains PFAS.
Schierling highlighted the efforts of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in leading the mission on PFAS mitigation, and how affiliate leaders will be pushing the federal government in Ottawa this April to address the heightened cancer risk faced by firefighters. We will advocate to ban the manufacture, import and use of PFAS and to implement other measures to protect fire fighters, the environment and all Canadians from these dangerous chemicals
Furthermore, in 2023, a joint statement was issued by the Fire Chiefs Association of BC (FCABC) and BCPFFA asking fire fighters to reduce exposure to PFAS in turnout gear by using several precautions.
To learn more about the Private Members Bill and show your support, you can check out the following links:
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Left to Right: BCPFFA Secretary Treasurer Brian Catinus, Central Saanich Local 4428 President Alex Levitt, Salt Spring Island Local 4467 President Warren Nuyens and BCPFFA President Todd Schierling