Photo: Saskatchewan Labour Minister Deb Higgins and SPFFA President Gerry Huget, in the centre, are joined on the steps of the Saskatchewan Legislature by SPFFA members from across the province the day legislation adding several additional cancers as well as heart injuries was enacted.

Saskatchewan's professional fire fighters have fought for and won the enactment of legislation that dramatically expands the number of diseases presumed occupational in the province.

On Dec. 2, the Saskatchewan government passed Bill 25, adding colorectal, ureter, testicular and lung cancer to the list of those deemed occupational among fire fighters, as well as heart injuries within 24 hours of an emergency call.

The new rules are in addition to legislation won by the SPFFA in 2003 automatically recognizing brain cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and leukemia as compensable, job-related diseases among professional fire fighters.

"We're extremely pleased that our members have this added level of protection," said Saskatchewan Profession Fire Fighters Association (SPFFA) President Gerry Huget, thanking Labour Minister Deb Higgins and her NDP colleagues for listening to fire fighters' concerns and acting decisively on the issue.

The SPFFA had brought the issue forward during its annual Provincial Lobby in April, and the sudden passage of the bill on the last day of the legislature's sitting for 2005 was an unexpected but welcome surprise, added Huget, who watched proudly from the public gallery when the bill was passed.

In October, the Saskatchewan government also passed legislation protecting emergency services workers in the event of exposure to communicable diseases. The Mandatory Testing and Disclosure (Bodily Substances) Act.

The legislation will result in a guided and confidential process for compelling an individual to provide a blood sample if a emergency services worker, Good Samaritan or victim of a crime has come into contact with them.

Source: IAFF.org