BC to plan firefighter health screenings

Summary#

This bill would create a province-wide plan for regular health screening of firefighters in British Columbia. It sets a deadline for the government to design the plan with input from firefighters and doctors, and to keep it up to date. It also orders a review of the current workers’ compensation rules that cover firefighter illnesses. The plan and reviews must be shared with the Legislature.

• Who is covered: paid firefighters (full-time and paid on-call), volunteer firefighters with at least 10 years of service, and forest firefighters with at least 10 years.
• What’s included in the plan: early cancer screening; regular physical exams with a mental health check; and regular lab and screening tests.
• Timeline: the minister must develop the plan within 9 months and table it in the Legislature; the plan must be reviewed and updated every 5 years.
• Workers’ compensation rules: the government must review current rules on firefighter occupational diseases and report any recommendations.
• Other: allows related regulations; creates no new offences or penalties; takes effect when it receives Royal Assent.

What it means for you#

• Firefighters

  • You could get a clearer, province-wide screening program designed for your risks, including cancer checks and mental health assessments.
  • Volunteers and forest firefighters with at least 10 years of service are included.
  • There is no immediate new benefit or appointment schedule yet; the bill orders a plan, which would set those details.

• Fire departments and municipalities

  • You may need to coordinate staff time for screenings once the plan exists.
  • No immediate new requirements, but future policies could follow the plan.

• Families of firefighters

  • Earlier detection of illness could help loved ones get care sooner.
  • You may receive more consistent information about health checks.

• Health providers

  • Doctors of BC are to be consulted on the plan.
  • If adopted later, the plan could increase demand for specific screenings and assessments.

• Workers’ compensation stakeholders

  • A formal review may lead to recommendations on which firefighter illnesses are recognized and how claims are handled in the future.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Early screening can catch cancer and other health problems sooner, helping firefighters get treatment in time.
• Including mental health checks treats psychological injuries as seriously as physical ones.
• A single, province-wide plan brings consistency so firefighters get the same level of screening no matter where they serve.
• Regular 5‑year reviews keep the plan aligned with new medical evidence.
• Looking again at workers’ compensation rules could improve fairness and ensure coverage reflects current science.
• Including volunteers and forest firefighters with long service recognizes their exposure and risks.

Opponents' View#

• The bill does not include funding, so costs and who pays are unclear.
• It creates a plan but does not require implementation, so benefits may be delayed or uneven.
• Fire departments could face scheduling and administrative burdens to support screenings.
• The review of workers’ compensation rules could increase claims and costs without clear limits.
• Privacy and data handling for medical and mental health information may need stronger safeguards than the bill specifies.