RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS.

Since 2005, your BC Affiliate Leaders have successfully lobbied legislation into the Workers’ Compensation Act, twenty occupational diseases related to the profession of fire fighting. See Legislation to the Workers Compensation Act for the following:

• Fire Fighters Occupational Disease Regulation

• First responders post-traumatic stress disorder presumption

Occupational Disease / CANCER

Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death for fire fighters. In 2023, parliament passed a bill that will help ease some of treatment costs, but we continue to lobby for mandatory prevention programs such as medical screening, push for research that helps reduce any pollutants in our gear, and provide resource support for members facing these illnesses from on-the-job exposure.

Operational stress Injury

Our frontline workers are faced with witnessing traumatic events over their career, whether it’s a single event or series of traumatic events, their mental health is impacted. It can lead to Operational Stress Injuries, bringing the stress home to their families. The key is prevention and education! The BCPFFA advocates for upstream so members can better equip themselves with tools to cope and deal with issues. The BCPFFA also provide members with mental health & addiction resources to help them when in need.

The Opioid Crisis

The IAFF has launched this online series providing an in-depth understanding of opioid epidemic impacting the United States and Canada. This series is designed for fire service personnel and civilians. Each segment includes at least one video and corresponding podcast to provide more in-depth discussion and commentary.

SAFE STAFFING

NFPA 1710 - Industry Standard for Fire Departments: Safe Staffing, provides the minimum requirements relating to the organization and deployment of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations to the public by career fire departments.

Advocating for four firefighters per fire engine, in line with NFPA 1710 standards, highlights that current understaffing (two or three firefighters, or solo responses) endangers public and firefighter safety.

Building Codes

Proposed Single Egress Stairway Plan Designs

Your executive board is coordinating with the IAFF Canada and IAFF Headquarters, Metro Chiefs, FCABC, OFC and OPFFA (Ontario) where this issue was occurring as well.  We are unified in our position of opposing SES plan designs.

Now that the Government has released the final report, further consultation and a coordinated response from the BCPFFA/FCABC and IAFF/Metro Chiefs will continue to educate all levels of government, the public and members.