Dual initiatives boost fire fighter cancer awareness in St. John’s

St. John’s fire fighters recently secured a commitment that the department will transition to PFAS-free turnout gear, and rolled out cancer awareness themed fire engine in partnership with the employer.

January 30 • 2025

IAFF members in St. John’s Nfld. marked Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month this year by celebrating two important advances in partnership with their employer.

On Jan. 22, St. John’s announced “a significant commitment to fire fighter health and safety” with a plan to replace all active fire fighters’ bunker gear that contains toxic PFAS chemicals with safe, new gear. The municipality expects to begin a tendering process shortly for 250 sets of gear at a cost of $1.1 million.

The announcement was followed on Jan. 27 with the rollout of a cancer-awareness themed fire engine, which will raise awareness about the danger of occupational cancer in firefighting each time it’s deployed from a downtown firehall.

St. John’s Local 1075 President Craig Smith said the initiatives, which were the result of recent contract negotiations, reflect a strong relationship with the employer and are a great way to mark Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month.

“It’s a big morale boost for the membership, we couldn’t be happier, to be honest,” he said, adding that the commitment to phase out gear containing PFAS was an important recognition by the city of the dangers fire fighters face in the course of their duties.

“This initiative represents a shared commitment to reducing occupational cancer risks and ensuring that our members are equipped with the safest, most effective protective gear available. I want to thank all parties involved for their dedication to safeguarding the lives of those who serve our community daily.”

St. John’s becomes the latest Canadian municipality to respond to its fire fighters’ concerns with a commitment to PFAS-free gear, following Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; Vancouver, B.C.; Iqaluit, Nunavut; and Montréal, Que.

This initiative represents a shared commitment to reducing occupational cancer risks and ensuring that our members are equipped with the safest, most effective protective gear available.

St. John’s Local 1075 president craig smith

The cancer-themed fire truck features both the St. John’s Regional Fire Department and IAFF Local 1075 logos and is lavender in colour, which Smith explains is to signify awareness for all cancers. The wrap is expected to be in service for three to four years.

January was officially proclaimed Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in Canada in June 2023 when MP Sherry Romanado’s Bill C-224 was passed into law. The bill, staunchly supported by the IAFF, also led to the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting, an initiative that specifies a series of measures designed to reduce the disease’s toll on the firefighting profession.