2024 PROVINCIAL FOCUS
Presented by the Alberta Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Association
​Formed in 1909, the Alberta Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Association represents over 4,500 Public Safety Professionals who serve day and night on the frontlines in 21 cities and regions across Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
WELCOME
From December 1-3, 2024, the APFFPA will host the Curtis Oscar Noble Legislative Conference in Edmonton, AB for firefighter and paramedic leaders from communities across Alberta to discuss important issues impacting the public and frontline members. Local affiliate leaders will meet with MLAs and government officials to discuss priority issues such as improving public safety, first responder coverage, and pension efficiencies. The conference aims to provide MLAs with insight into the work of members and solutions to improve public and firefighter safety. As you gather with firefighters and paramedics from across Alberta, we have put this together to provide you with the information you need to help support Albertans, firefighters, and paramedics across the province.
The Alberta Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Association is driven to find solutions to the challenges present in our unique industry today, and through conversation and sharing experiences, we hope to help implement change where it is needed in a meaningful way.
You're Invited!
MLA Reception hosted by the Alberta Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Association
MLAs and staff are invited to attend a reception at the Matrix Hotel.
Event Details
Location: Matrix Hotel in the Quartz A Room (10640 100 Ave NW)
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 3 at 6 p.m.
Refreshments and appetizers will be served.
Catastrophic Trauma Exposure Coverage
Alberta firefighters face immense risks when responding to catastrophic events, such as the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, where they worked tirelessly to protect lives and property under extreme conditions. Research shows that many responders have suffered long-term health effects due to sustained exposure to toxic smoke and particulates. We are advocating for presumptive WCB coverage for public safety personnel involved in catastrophic events to ensure they receive the health support they deserve for injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Recommendation:
That all Public safety personnel who deployed and worked at any Catastrophic Traumatic Event be eligible for presumptive WCB coverage, regardless of latency period. It will be presumed that those that develop long term health effects, including diminished lung function, cancer, and mental health injuries would have done so while conducting their duties during the Catastrophic Traumatic Event in question.
LAPP Sponsor Board Representation
​Alberta firefighters have a unique set of pension needs, reflecting their long, physically demanding careers and the high level of risk involved in their work. Though firefighters played a key role in shaping the LAPP Joint Governance Board, the current board structure lacks direct representation for our members. We are calling for legislative action to include the Alberta Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association on the LAPP Sponsor Board to ensure firefighters' voices are represented in pension governance, as is standard in other provinces.
Recommendation:
To legislate the Alberta Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association into the composition of the LAPP Sponsor Board.
Max Accessible Earnings
The current Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) maximum assessable earnings in Alberta, set at $102,000, falls short of adequately compensating firefighters and paramedics for occupational injuries. Most APFFPA-represented professionals earn more than this cap, meaning municipalities often have to cover the gap to prevent financial hardship for injured workers. Alberta's cap lags behind other provinces, such as Manitoba and British Columbia, making an increase essential. We are advocating to raise the maximum assessable earnings to $140,000, aligning compensation with the realities of first responders’ wages and reducing the financial burden on municipalities.
Recommendation:
To raise the Alberta WCB max assessable earnings to 140,000.
Priorities for WCB Cancer Recognition
​As Alberta reviews its Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), the APFFPA is advocating for updates to the Firefighters’ Primary Cancer Site Regulation. Firefighters face daily exposure to carcinogens, making certain cancers more likely, yet some critical cancers remain unrecognized. We are requesting that primary site penile cancer (with a 10-year latency period) and larynx cancer (with a 15-year latency period) be added to the Alberta WCB’s presumptive cancer coverage. This inclusion would align Alberta with other provinces and help provide comprehensive support to our members and their families.
Request regarding Penile Cancer
The addition of primary site penile cancer with a latency period of 10 years to the Alberta WCB Presumptive Cancer Legislation.
Request regarding Larynx Cancer
The addition of primary site larynx cancer with a latency period of 15 years to the Alberta WCB Presumptive Cancer Legislation