Presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters enhanced

‘The lobbying effort for this has been ongoing, and we are elated,’ Local 288 president says

The 1997 Plastimet fire in Hamilton, and the subsequent death of firefighter Bob Shaw from esophageal cancer, sparked a successful campaign to recognize numerous forms of the disease in health claims by Ontario firefighters.

That campaign bore additional fruit Friday with an announcement from the provincial government that firefighters sick from thyroid and pancreatic cancers will also be compensated by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), with claims honoured retroactive to 1960.

“The lobbying effort for this has been ongoing, and we are elated,” said Stan Double, president of International Association of Firefighters Local 288 in Hamilton.

Double was in Toronto for the announcement.

“Sometimes bad things can cause good things, and this news is a good outcome for firefighters,” he said.

A news release from Ontario’s Labour Ministry said firefighters die of cancer “at a rate up to four times higher than the general population” and on average 50 to 60 firefighters die from cancer in Canada, “with half of those from Ontario … These everyday heroes deserve to get the care and support they need.”

Double told The Spectator that, without having undertaken an inquiry, he is aware of 10 Hamilton firefighters who died from one of the two newly recognized cancers, whose families will benefit from the coverage.

The 33-year fire department veteran worked with Bob Shaw at Plastimet, which burned hot four days in the North End and is considered the worst toxic blaze in the city’s history.

Nathan Shaw, Bob’s son, helped push the presumptive legislation for firefighter cancer claims through Queen’s Park via a private member’s bill, named after his father, in 2007. (Presumptive means firefighters do not have to prove the illness was caused by their work.)

The province now recognizes 19 variations of cancer in presumptive coverage for firefighters.

Nathan Shaw told The Spectator that his advocacy was rooted in the “sense of loss, anger, frustration and injustice” over the denial of his father’s claim. He applauded adding more cancers to the list.

“The fight for this coverage started in Hamilton. Expanding it recognizes the sacrifices firefighters make to protect all of us.”

Bob Shaw died March 24, 2004. He was 55.

The fight for this coverage started in Hamilton. Expanding it recognizes the sacrifices firefighters make to protect all of us.

NATHAN SHAW SON OF FIREFIGHTER BOB SHAW