We are happy to share a summary of today’s announcement by member Neil McMillan, the IAFF’s Director of Science & Research:

Today Ottawa fire station 13 hosted a very important announcement from the Honourable Mark Holland Minister of Health, made with General President Kelly, Parliamentary Secretary Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary Naqvi, and representatives of from the Canadian Fire Chief’s Association and Ontario Fire Marshall’s office, with the attendance of Senators, Members of Parliament, and representatives from across the fire service.

The Announcement included the implementation strategy, and the secured funding for The National Framework on Cancer Linked to Firefighting.

$12.29 million has been allocated over the next 5-years, with recurring funding of $200,000 annually.

This funding will pay for efforts to address the 6-Pillars of the Framework:

Pillar #1 – Research on Cancer linked to Firefighting

• Encourage research, analyze under-studied sub-populations within the fire service, improve the understanding of biological mechanisms of cancer development in fire fighters, align research with the true needs of fire fighters, ensure the translation of knowledge.

Pillar #2 – Research on Cancer Prevention & Data Collection

• Enhance data collection on fire fighter cancer and health, focusing existing data gaps

Pillar #3 – Training and Education in Health Care Settings

• Develop evidence-based occupational exposure programs, educational materials for healthcare providers serving fire fighters at risk of cancer

Pillar #4 – Diagnostic Testing for Firefighters

• Increase awareness of and impacts from occupational cancer in the fire service, support patient-provider interactions, research diagnostic and screening practices, disseminate evidence-based diagnostic guidance on fire fighter cancers, collaborate with cancer agencies and specialists

Pillar #5 – Information & Knowledge Sharing

• Facilitate occupational health and safety programs, develop informational materials broadening best practices for prevention and mitigation strategies

Pillar #6 – Standards on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation

• Address identified gaps and share information with provincial stakeholders, share information to support WCB decision-making processes, update presumptive cancers lists and inform WCB policy administrations

 

The IAFF is looking for 4 OPFFA members to become RTI Trained Facilitators for our district and the IAFF.

Candidates will be screened prior to final selection. Those candidates chosen for the class will be contacted directly (as well as the Local President).

The deadline to apply is August 8, 2024.

IAFF RTI PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

The IAFF Responding to the Interface (RTI) training includes 10 one-hour online modules and two days of hands-on field instruction. The training program is designed to provide fire fighters and company officers a consistent basic understanding of safety, command and control, strategy and tactics to use when defending structures from a wildland fire (defensive strategy) or suppressing a wildland fire in and around structures (offensive strategy). This initial course serves as a prerequisite for the two-day Responding to the Interface Part 2 – train the trainer course.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

To provide the student with comprehensive information regarding Urban Interface response, command, strategies, and tactics which will allow them to operate safely in their community’s fire environment.

● Leadership                           ● Fire Behavior

● Incident Command             ● Structure Triage

● Strategy and Tactics            ● Resource Utilization

● Cooperating Agencies         ● Evacuations

● Planning                                ● Safety

INSTRUCTOR PREREQUISITES – See Brochure

• Complete the S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (FEMA). This online course focuses on the primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire and recognition of potentially hazardous situations. It includes three online modules that take 1-3 hours each to complete. 
• Complete the IAFF Responding to the Interface Training Part 1 (Online Course)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS TO APPLY

• A minimum 4-year commitment
• Previous fire service training experience
• Fire Service Instructor Level 1
• Union experience – i.e.: union steward, executive officer, charitable work, and aligned with IAFF principles
• Suggested S-130 Fire Fighter Training (FEMA) or equivalent (preferred) – Can be completed if selected
• Past Wildland and/or Wildland Urban Interface experience
• Must be endorsed by your Local President (required)

Please feel free to apply even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications.

INITIAL STEPS

Interested members are asked to send a letter with the following information to [email protected]:

• name, address, phone, and email
• 3-4 sentences about your experience with Wildland Training
• 3-4 sentences about your experience with Union and/or Charitable work