A Calgary Fire Department engine.
Calgary's fire chief says a heightened risk of cancer is just part of the job, but the risks can be reduced.Posted: Jan 13, 2025 7:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
January is National Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada and internationally. It's now in its second year and continuing to raise awareness of the fact that firefighters develop and die from cancers at higher rates than the general population., cancer accounts for 85 per cent of duty fatality claims, based on workers' compensation claims data.
Steve Dongworth, chief of the Calgary Fire Department, says firefighters in Calgary get screened annually for cancers and there's now much greater awareness than in the past. "Just recently we've realized that there's some chemicals, forever chemicals, carcinogens that are embedded in some of our protective equipment. And in certain types of foam that we use for fighting liquid fires, they were also present, so there's always something new that we're discovering," Dongworth says.
In a statement emailed to CBC Calgary, the Canadian Cancer Society says firefighters are at risk from mesothelioma, which primarily affects the lining of the lungs, and bladder cancer in particular.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Calgary Fire Department Faces Unique Challenges in 2024Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth discusses the department's experiences in 2024, highlighting the water main break, rapid city growth, and other significant incidents.
Read more »
CBC Calgary Celebrates Blitz Day for Calgary Food BankCBC Calgary hosts Blitz Day, a tradition of special programming, live music, and guest interviews, to support the Calgary Food Bank's 'Make the Season Kind' campaign.
Read more »
Huberdeau, Wolf stand out, Flames in playoff conversation at halfway markCALGARY — The swagger is resurfacing, in a different way, for Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau.
Read more »
Huberdeau, Wolf stand out, Flames in playoff conversation at halfway markCALGARY — The swagger is resurfacing, in a different way, for Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau.
Read more »
Cooking oil ignites, sparks residential fire in Calgary's northwestA northwest Calgary home caught fire Thursday due to a kitchen fire that started with ignited cooking oil.
Read more »
Crews respond to two separate fires in south CalgaryFire crews were busy on Friday morning responding to two separate blazes in south Calgary.
Read more »