OPSEU/SEFPO in the news: Local 703 VP Noah Freedman talks about the long-term consequences of fighting forest fires and the lack of protection from the government

Forest fire worker, OPSEU/SEFPO Local 703 Vice-President Noah Freedman, spoke to CBC about some of the long-term health consequences forest fire workers face as a result of the work they do.Like urban firefighters, forest fire workers are at a higher risk of cancer than other workers. But unlike urban firefighters, forest fire workers don’t have access to workplace compensation and support should they develop a serious illness like cancer.

“We’re not entitled to any occupational benefits, and really, they’re not benefits — they’re a matter of human rights.”

– Noah Freedman

Not only do they lack access, but Freedman stressed the lack of training from the employer  to workers in regards to the toxic conditions they are exposed to on the frontlines. In fact, forest fire workers are advised to cover their mouths with cloths like bandanas – a method that was proven to be ineffective in the 1990s.Freedman was a crucial part of a joint health and safety committee with the Ministry of Natural Resources who filed a recommendation that the government do more to inform, educate and protect forest firefighters against exposure to cancerous toxins. The committee recommendation is also calling on the government to make improvements to personal protective equipment (PPE) it provides to forest firefighters.Forest fire workers risk life and limb to keep us and our communities safe. They deserve to be informed and protected from the long-term effects of the life-saving work they do.Forest fire workers are not recognized as firefighters and do not have access to the new legislation that provides urban firefighters with workplace compensation in case of an occupational illness.OPSEU/SEFPO calls on the Ford government to reclassify forest fire workers so they’re properly compensated and protected, before the next season starts in a few months.You can listen to Noah’s interview with Markus Schwabe here and read the full article here.