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Recognition of heart disease in B.C. firefighters restored
The Government of British Columbia yesterday tabled legislation under the Workers Compensation Act to restore heart disease in firefighters as a presumptive disease recognized by WorkSafeBC.
This proposed amendment to the Workers Compensation Act fulfills government’s election commitment to restore heart disease to the list of presumptive diseases recognized by WorkSafeBC for firefighters – including forest firefighters.
Under the proposed amendment, if a firefighter suffers from heart disease or a heart injury – including a heart attack – it will be presumed to be due to their work as a firefighter unless the contrary is proved.
“Our government appreciates the vitally important work that firefighters do for the people of our province. Firefighters expose themselves to significant hazards, and we want to provide further protection for these men and women who help to keep our communities safe by recognizing heart disease and heart injury as presumptive diseases,” stated Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour in a press release.
“Firefighters are exposed to a real toxic combination through their work on a daily basis,” said Michael Hurley, President, BC Professional Firefighters Association. “This, along with the heat and mental stressors faced by the profession, means that heart injuries due to the nature of the job are a reality for firefighters. We have always known that when we go to work our health is at risk. Having heart presumption restored is so important to firefighters because it means that while we are fighting to save our own lives we will not have the added stress of fighting a WorkSafeBC claim at the same time. This will allow a firefighter to concentrate on what he or she needs to, which is a full recovery. We thank Premier (Christy) Clark, Minister Bond and the B.C. government for this important piece of legislation.”
Some of the other key features of the legislation are as follows:
The proposed amendments will provide presumptions for heart disease and for heart injury including heart attacks.
The presumptions will apply if the claimant was employed as a firefighter at or immediately before the date of disablement from heart injury or disease.
This legislation will thus support B.C. firefighters in receiving workers’ compensation should they suffer from heart disease or heart injury as a result of their work.
The presumption will be available to local government firefighters as well as forest firefighters.
Finally, the presumption will apply to eligible firefighters who first become disabled from heart disease or heart injury on or after the day the legislation comes into force on Royal Assent.
B.C. continues to be a leader in recognizing occupational diseases associated with long-term employment as a firefighter and the proposed legislation if passed would make the province the only jurisdiction in Canada to have a presumption for heart disease embedded in its workers’ compensation legislation.
Lead image: Several members of Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services (CF&ES) were in Victoria for the announcement. 
(L to R) – Gregory Green, CF&ES; Clay Murrell, CF&ES; Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett; Paul Relkoff (second from right), CF&ES.
Photos courtesy City of Cranbrook
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