Fire Fighters Welcome Emergency Services Disclosure Act

Legislation will give peace of mind in cases of exposure to infectious diseases

VICTORIA, BC, May 1, 2012 /CNW/ - British Columbia's professional fire fighters welcome the introduction of legislation that will help give first responders peace of mind if they are exposed to infectious diseases in the course of their duties and may allow more targeted treatments to begin as soon as possible if an exposure has occurred.

The Emergency Services Disclosure Act, which was introduced by the BC Government in the Legislative Assembly April 30, specifies a process through which an emergency responder or Good Samaritan can obtain a warrant to confidentially learn the infectious diseases status of an individual whose bodily fluids they've contacted on the job when the individual refuses to provide a blood sample voluntarily.

The bill, which is similar to legislation that's already in place in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, is expected to be enacted within a month.

Mike Hurley, President of the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association, explained that not knowing the infectious diseases status of an individual they have contacted on the job can be a source of fear and anxiousness for a fire fighter and his or her family. Not knowing can also lead to unnecessary treatments or delay more targeted treatments that may be required when exposure has occurred.

"This act is designed to protect the emergency responders who without hesitation and on a daily basis will put themselves in harm's way to protect every citizen in the province," Hurley said. ""This lets responders in B.C. be protected with the same rights as other Canadian Provinces. The BCPFFA thanks Premier Clark, the BC government, and especially MLA Norm Letnick for recognizing the importance of this bill and for moving it forward."

The BCPFFA's 3,800 members respond not only to fires but to accidents and other medical emergencies, which puts them at risk of exposure to communicable diseases such as Hepatitis B and C and HIV. The bill enables emergency workers and Good Samaritans to get a court order to require individuals to give a bodily fluid sample, if one is not given voluntarily. It protects privacy by assuring information is only shared with a physician, and sets penalties for non-compliance of testing orders and privacy provisions. The bill also establishes a presumption of disease exposure for first responders seeking workers' compensation benefits.

CONTACT:
Mike Hurley, President
British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association
[phone] or [phone]