This month (January 2024) marks the inaugural Fire Fighter Awareness Month. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the health risks that firefighters face in their line of duty. Firefighters encounter various toxins and carcinogens in their work environment, which increase their chances of developing different types of cancer. Some of the cancers that affect firefighters are Pancreatic and Thyroid cancers, which have been recently added to the list of occupational diseases. The OPFFA is committed to collecting data on all the cancers and illnesses that firefighters suffer from, even those that are not officially recognized as work-related. Once a diagnosis has been made the individual should contact the 3888 WSIB committee or active.retired@torontofirefighters.org for assistance on the next steps.

Statement from the Minister of Health to mark the first Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month

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