Ottawa Firefighters Demand Washers to Combat Cancer Risk NOW

UPDATE: Ottawa firefighters are urgently calling on city council to fund laundry appliances at every fire station to protect against cancer. This demand was made during a city council committee meeting on the draft 2026 budget on Thursday, where Genna McMillan, president of the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters Association, labeled the request for washers and dryers as “low hanging fruit” and a critical safety concern.

Recent data from the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization, has classified firefighting as a Group 1 carcinogen. This alarming classification indicates a significant link between firefighting and various cancers. “We see every year increasing numbers of retired members and active members that are getting cancer diagnoses,” McMillan stated, emphasizing the need for preventive measures.

The request comes as firefighters often work in hazardous conditions, exposing them to toxic substances that can cling to their uniforms. McMillan explained, “Having a washer and dryer to launder our contaminated clothing is a reasonable and attainable ask.” Currently, only 15 of the city’s 45 fire stations are equipped with laundry facilities. This inadequacy forces firefighters to either send their gear to other stations or bring their uniforms home, raising concerns about contaminating their personal spaces.

Fire Chief Paul Hutt acknowledged that health and wellness, particularly cancer prevention, is a top priority for the Ottawa Fire Service. “Every member in Ottawa Fire Service suppression has two sets of fire bunker gear,” Hutt said, clarifying that soiled gear is sent for laundry while members use a clean set. However, he also pointed out that upgrades to some of the city’s century-old stations will take time.

In addition to laundry facilities, McMillan urged council members to invest in proper ventilation for gear storage areas. The 2026 budget proposal includes $3.6 million in capital funding to replace aging breathing apparatuses but does not address firefighter staffing levels. McMillan expressed concern, stating, “We do have vehicles that aren’t in service on a daily basis based on the amount of people who are on vacation or on approved forms of leave.” She advocates for four personnel on all apparatus, a model currently not in place.

Contrastingly, the Ottawa Paramedic Service will receive a staffing increase with the addition of 23 new full-time equivalent positions aimed at improving response times. River ward Coun. Riley Brockington, chair of the emergency and protective services committee, is pushing for more enforcement in school zones, hoping to enhance safety and compliance.

As the city council deliberates on the budget, the outcome could have a direct impact on the health and safety of Ottawa’s firefighters. Their fight for better protection against cancer is a pressing issue that resonates deeply with their commitment to serving the community. With more firefighters facing cancer diagnoses each year, the need for preventive measures like washers and dryers has never been more critical.

The city council is expected to make a decision soon, and all eyes are on Ottawa as firefighters push for essential changes. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.