Iqaluit firefighters get new equipment free of cancer-causing forever chemicals

Firefighting is a dangerous profession, but in Iqaluit it’s becoming a bit safer.

Last week, the Iqaluit Fire Department ordered its second shipment of 10 sets of firefighting gear that’s free of cancer-causing forever chemicals.

“We obviously take safety very seriously,” said deputy fire Chief Alex Storring in an interview.

The new equipment, known as bunker gear, includes pants, jackets, gloves and a balaclava flash hood, which is worn under a helmet.

All firefighters received new flash hoods last fall.

“The Iqaluit Fire Department has been working to replace older bunker gear that contains PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in the moisture barrier with new gear,” said City of Iqaluit spokesperson Geoffrey Byrne Thursday in an email.

The upgraded outerwear, made by Ontario-based manufacturer Starfield Lion, does not contain PFAS. The World Health Organization cautions against occupational exposure to these substances, which can build up in the environment and cause cancer.

Lt. Jason McKinnon is among six firefighters who received gear from the first order in October. 

“It gives peace of mind,” he said.

The next batch is expected to arrive in August.

This means approximately half of the department will have PFAS-free gear, based on its current staffing of 20 full-time and approximately 10 volunteer members.

The new gear was ordered after firefighters advocated for the upgrade during their latest round of collective bargaining.

“There were only three employers in all of North America that had cancer-free bunker gear and we became the fourth one and the first one in the three territories,” said Jason Rochon, president of the Nunavut Employees Union, which represents the department. “We made a lot of headway.”

The city will continue to replace between five and 10 sets of bunker gear annually based on operational needs, said Byrne.