$30M from the province to help fire departments with cancer-preventing upgrades

Municipal fire departments in Ontario are receiving money from the Ford government for much-needed cancer-preventing upgrades.

West Nipissing’s fire department, for example, is in severe need of a new washing and drying system to clean gear after battling fires.

Municipal fire departments in Ontario are receiving money from the Ford government for much-needed cancer-preventing upgrades. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

When crews are inside burning structures, firefighters are exposed to harmful chemicals. Some of these hazardous materials are so dangerous, they can cause cancer.

"With the products that we have in our houses -- even the materials that they're building with the glues and stuff that hold the boards together -- that all gets burnt off during the fire and we're exposed to that," said West Nipissing fire chief Frank Loeffen.

Officials said more than 1,000 Ontario firefighters have died in the line of duty -- 73 this year alone. Most of the deaths are from cancer.

"Gear advancements that we've seen over the years have protected us a lot more," Loeffen said.

"But on the same token, it protects us to the point where we're not realizing some of the dangers that we were (exposed) to."

New studies have shown firefighters have elevated risks of getting cancer.

"Firefighters … get contaminated with carcinogens, and it's about that risk in elation, certainly part of it. But that absorption risk,” said Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs president Rob Grimwood.

Municipal fire departments in Ontario are receiving money from the Ford government for much-needed cancer-preventing upgrades. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

Municipal fire departments in Ontario are receiving money from the Ford government for much-needed cancer-preventing upgrades. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

To help with this critical issue, the province is providing $30 million over three years for municipal fire departments to buy specialized washers and dryers to better decontaminate bunker gear.

"Firefighters put service over self each and every day, facing dangerous situations to protect their communities," Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said in a news release.

"Our government has been a leader in protecting them, while they’re protecting us."

Fire stations can also upgrade their air purification and ventilation systems if needed.

"We're already in discussion with (the province) about the sustainability of the funding," Grimwood said.

"We're definitely looking forward to that. There's lots of work to be done to protect firefighters, both their physical health, cancer prevention and their mental health."

Locally, the West Nipissing Fire Department is getting just more than $74,000 to replace its small and severely outdated washer and dryer. The washer can only clean one suit at a time.

• Download the CTV News app now
• Get local breaking news alerts
• Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox

"We're being exposed to these toxins for longer periods of time," Loeffen said.

In Canada, between 50-60 firefighters die of cancer every year.

In his 35-year career as a firefighter, Loeffen has known several colleagues diagnosed with cancer and said this investment will honour their service.

"The province and the health units are recognizing these cancers," he said.

A full list of Ontario fire departments receiving funding can be found here.