Firefighters’ cancer risk
Union: Government put ACC conversation on ‘backburner’
Northland firefighters are being left at the mercy of work-related cancers by a Government distracted by Covid-19 and inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) national vicepresident and Christchurch-based career firefighter, Joseph Stanley said the Government had put conversations on the backburner regarding a law change that would mean career firefighters could prequalify for ACC in the event of a cancer diagnosis.
“That is a big concern to us that we know PPE doesn’t save us and it doesn’t protect us and the Government is not prepared to step up and say we will look after you then,” Stanley said.
But Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) say they have been working hard over the years to reduce cancer risks for firefighters.
International research showed firefighters had a 102 per cent greater risk of testicular cancer than the general population, a 51 per cent greater risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and a 32 per cent greater risk of brain cancer and malignant melanoma because of their exposure to cancer-causing toxins.
ACC has managed fewer than four work-related claims with cover for
cancer by Northland career firefighters in approximately 13 years, ending July 2019.
Nationally there have been five ACC cancer claims by career firefighters in the same time period that reported varying lung, bone marrow, and prostate-related cancers.
However, firefighters treated for
cancer less than five years before their claim is lodged have their requests managed by FENZ rather than ACC. The Advocate has approached FENZ for the number of cancer-related claims they received from the firefighters based in the region.
Structure fires were pegged as the biggest risk of carcinogenic exposure for Northland’s 38 career firefighters — all based in Whanga¯rei station — and 700 volunteer firefighters — as well as the country’s 1829 career firefighters and 12,000-plus volunteers. This was because of an increased use of synthetic materials in homes and buildings and repetitive exposure to them during fires, Stanley said. Whanga¯rei firefighters responded to the highest number of structure fires in Northland with 83 call outs from March 1, 2020 to February 28 this year.
The Kerikeri Volunteer Fire Brigade was the second busiest brigade with 41 structure fires. Hot on their heels was the Kaitaia Volunteer Fire Brigade, who responded to 36 structure fires.
Overall the region’s firefighters battled around 557 structure fires from more than 6000 call outs between March 2020 and February 28.
Inadequacies in the Level 2 Structural Firefighting PPE to protect firefighters from carcinogenic exposure had inflamed the risks they faced at house and building fires, Stanley said.
The issue was addressed by FENZ who launched trials of improved structural fire PPE. Changes in the uniform included the addition of vapour skirts at the waist and legs to prevent carcinogenic vapours seeping into the uniform.
But firefighters were dismayed by a lack of frontline input into the new gear, said Stanley — who is also a NZPFU national uniform advisory group representative.
He wanted to see sufficient mitigation strategies put in place to keep firefighters safe – which did not
We will continue to support any firefighters experiencing occupational cancer.
include FENZ’s latest purchase of warm weather jackets for firefighters.
“At the moment we have issues with the protection our current PPE provides us at structural fires so, for us, it seems unnecessary to focus on a warm jacket when the uniform we wear at the coal face isn’t meeting our requirements.”
The issues around PPE were concerning for firefighters because when their “safety nets” failed they could not count on the Government for help with occupational cancer.
Stanley’s comments referred to the push by firefighters for more cancers to be recognised as scientifically linked to their occupation. The legislative change would qualify career firefighters for ACC without having to prove their cancer was caused by their work. Volunteer firefighters — alongside all volunteers — are unable to claim for work-related cancers due to the wording in ACC’s current legislation. The Advocate reached out to government representatives but was re-directed to FENZ.
With legislative change a matter for Parliament, ACC and FENZ in the meantime responded to concerns in February last year with the introduction of a tool used by the Toxicology Panel to assess and provide cover for work-related cancers that would otherwise go unrecognised.
FENZ deputy chief executive people, Brendan Nally, credited the tool for 13 successful claims made by career firefighters with occupational cancer, who had been “waiting and hoping for ACC support”.
“This was not possible prior to the establishment of the panel and is a step in the right direction,” Nally said. “We will continue to support any firefighters experiencing occupational cancer.”
But Stanley said the tool meant firefighters still had to fight for recognition of their occupational cancer and use time they may not have pulling together their case for the toxicology panel.
Muri Whenua area manager Wipari Henwood said FENZ took the safety of its firefighters seriously.
Brendan Nally
The demand on Northland’s rescue helicopter service is growing every year and Northlanders can help the service in May’s Westpac Chopper Appeal Month.
New Zealand’s rescue helicopters had their busiest year ever in 2020, covering all corners of the country to help Kiwis in trouble and support the health response to Covid-19.
The choppers helped a total of 9032 patients — 1519 more than in 2019 — including 1115 in Northland.
Throughout Westpac Chopper Appeal Month in May, New Zealanders are asked to give generously to help the country’s 15 trusts continue flying these vital missions.
The Northland Emergency Services Trust runs the region’s rescue choppers and chairman Paul Ahlers said Kiwis getting out and about in the months after lockdown kept rescue crews busy.
“We all enjoyed being able to travel and enjoy our favourite pastimes again, but that also meant more New Zealanders getting into trouble and needing our services.
“The number of missions we fly and people we’re able to rescue increases year after year. We rely on the public to continue improving our lifesaving services, and we’re hugely grateful for everyone who’s able to donate even a small amount over the month of May.”
Last year the appeal raised more than $1.6 million, including $51,394 for Northland’s rescue helicopters.
Westpac NZ CEO David McLean said the rescue choppers play an important role in allowing New Zealanders to live the Kiwi lifestyle.
“We’re able to work and play in our wonderful country, with the knowledge that if anything were to go wrong, lifesaving help is only minutes away.”
This year, Westpac has teamed up with Trade Me to come up with a new way for New Zealanders to support their local rescue helicopter. Throughout May, Kiwis are encouraged to take part in the “Great Chopper Appeal Garage Sale” by listing an item on Trade Me using #chopperappeal and donating the amount raised from the sale to Chopper Appeal.
Westpac funds the marketing and administration costs of the Chopper Appeal, as well as distributing all funds raised back to donors’ local rescue helicopter trust.
● People wishing to make a donation or find out more information can visit