Page 11 - Fire Services Journal 2018-less

NEW STUDY FINDS CANCER AS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CANADIAN FIREFIGHTERS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A new study published by the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in March found that cancer is the leading cause of death for Canadian firefighters, compared to any other fatal illness or injury.
A key finding was that cancer caused more than 86 per cent of firefighter fatalities, overtaking cardiovascular disease, traumatic injuries and mental health issues. Meanwhile, an estimated rate of about 50 firefighters out of 100,000 die of cancer each year.
The study suggests the cause of cancer as the primary killer to firefighters is due to
being regularly exposed to concentrated carcinogens in the air, soot and tar at a fire ground.
The research, led by UFV university adjunct professor and Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis, in partnership with the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit, reviewed ten years of firefighter health and injury data.
“As with all prevention activities, it will be many years before we realise the fruits of our work,” Garis said. “However, the work we do now will mean that after a long career of serving the public, more firefighters will live longer and healthier lives.”
68 PEOPLE KILLED IN BLAZE AT VENEZUELAN DETENTION CENTRE
A RELATIVE OF A PRISONER CRIES IN FRONT OF A POLICE STATION IN VALENCIA ON 28 MARCH 2018, AFTER A FIRE ENGULFED POLICE HOLDING CELLS THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATHS OF 68 PEOPLE.
CREDIT: KATHERINE ORTIZ
At least 68 people lost their lives due to a massive fire outbreak in a Venezuelan detention centre on March 28th.
The fire started as a result of a lethal prison riot and alleged attempted jailbreak according to the country’s top prosecutor and an inmates’ rights group.
The jail, attached to a police station, was designed to hold only 60 people upon its construction. At the time of the riot, it contained around 200.
The blaze at the detention facility in Carabobo state is the latest in a series of deadly incidents in Venezuela's overcrowded jails.
Carlos Nieto, head of Una Ventana a la Libertad (A Window on Freedom), said that “some burned to death and others asphyxiated” after setting fire to mattresses and stealing a guard’s gun in an attempt to break out.
Relatives of those being kept in the detention centre tried to force their way into Carabobo state police headquarters.
After one officer was injured by a stone, the crowd was dispersed by police firing tear gas.
On March 31st, five state police officials, including the head of the police station, were arrested for their alleged role in the riot.
POLICE USED TEAR GAS TO DISPERSE CROWDS DESPERATE FOR NEWS OF LOVED ONES. CREDIT: BBC NEWS
A RELATIVE OF A PRISONER CRIES IN FRONT OF A POLICE STATION IN VALENCIA ON 28 MARCH 2018, AFTER A FIRE ENGULFED POLICE HOLDING CELLS THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATHS OF 68 PEOPLE.
CREDIT: KATHERINE ORTIZ
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