Firefighter Petition for Non-Carcinogenic Turn-Out Gear

The turn-out gear used by most firefighters in Canada, have in them, a worrisome carcinogen.Turn out gear refers to the clothes that they wear when fighting fires. They contain PFAS – or synthetic chemicals that are cancer causing.

Susan Millar – Local Journalism Initiative

Sadly, firefighters are exposed to many cancer causing agents in their jobs fighting fires and the rates of related cancers and death are greater than the population in general.. But having to wear hazardous gear seems unnecessary as there are alternative materials that can be used. There is also PFAS chemicals in foam used as fire supressant especially at airports.

Former MP Peter Julian of the New Westminster – Burnaby Riding started a petition to legislate for change at the federal level. The petition was put on hold during the election.

Peter Julian lost his seat to a Liberal in the recent federal election. It is hoped that the new member, Jake Sawatzky, takes up the banner.

In this program, NewWest.tv talks to New Westminster firefighter Shane Poole, President of the Firefigher's Union, local 256, about the petition.

Later in the program, there is a discussion about fires in electric vehicles – cars, scooters and bikes. That's because in the public mind, there is a prevalent belief that fires in them are common, although the statistics don't bear that out.

Shane speaks to the main causes of electric fires and the challenges of putting them out. He says that most fires in bicycles and scooters are batteries that don't meet Canadian safety standards.