A recent report highlights the escalating health risks faced by Montreal firefighters, who responded to over 140,000 incidents last year. The president of the Montreal Firefighters Association, Chris Ross, emphasized that the workload is unprecedented, with 60% of calls now related to medical emergencies. Contributing factors include an aging population, chronic illnesses, and extreme weather conditions. Despite new measures aimed at reducing exposure to toxic contaminants, Ross criticized the slow implementation of safety protocols. Over the past 15 years, more than 350 work-related cancers have been documented among firefighters, resulting in over 100 deaths. Dr. Danny Whu, chief medical officer of the International Association of Firefighters, pointed out that exposure to carcinogens is a persistent risk throughout a firefighter's career, exacerbated by modern building materials and synthetic materials that burn more intensely and toxically. The report calls for enhanced prevention strategies, better health screening, and improved recognition of occupational cancers in Quebec, which currently acknowledges fewer cases than other provinces like British Columbia.