Hello brother and sister, SFDers, this is my second go at the Local Line idea from the old 626 days. The plan is to put together a mix of things that might be of interest to us, along with occasional reminders of what we might want to add to our busy calendars. The idea is to do it quarterly, and if you have something to add, I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s start with our annual Christmas Breakout Lunch. This year it falls on Thursday, December 11th, and gets underway around 11:30 am at the usual location – The Harp and Crown, 300 Kingston Road at Altona Road, Pickering.
LODD Criteria Changes
I recently discovered that the criteria for what qualifies as a Line of Duty Death have changed due to recent legal decisions. During the fall meeting of the Retired Toronto Fire Fighters, I had the opportunity to seek more information on this topic. Robert Burland, the WSIB Representative for the Provincial and 3888, kindly provided the following details.
For your interest…
Over the years, firefighters and related fire service personnel have worked to establish recognition for a range of occupational cancers through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). These “presumptive” cancers are identified based on the elevated risks associated with exposure to carcinogens encountered in the normal course of fire service duties.
The relevant provisions draw upon the definitions of “firefighter” and “fire investigator” as outlined in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. These definitions form the basis for determining eligibility under WSIB’s presumptive cancer framework.
Historically, some individuals working within the broader fire service—such as those in communications and related operational support roles—have also received entitlement under these provisions. However, recent legal and administrative decisions, including a judicial review initiated by the City of Toronto, have led to a narrower interpretation of who may qualify.
While this development does not immediately change the existing legislation, it may influence how WSIB interprets or applies the presumptive coverage in future cases. In practice, this could mean that the designation of a Line of Duty Death (LODD) and associated presumptive benefits may be more closely aligned with the statutory definition of “firefighter” as currently recognized by WSIB.
It’s important to note that this remains an evolving area of interpretation. The association continues to closely monitor developments and will advocate for clarity and fairness in how all fire service professionals—across all divisions—are recognized for the occupational risks they face while serving their communities.
Drago Pumpers
Scarborough Fire was probably ahead of the curve when it came up with the idea of having a team of firefighters that would arrive on scene and be ready to do what was needed. Granted, I don’t think anyone foresaw the numerous variations that would arise from the acronym ‘SCAT’.
Fast forward to today, and we see a new adaptation of the Pumper. Markham Fire recently acquired two DRAGO Pumpers at a cost of around $900,000 each. The first in North America, the DRAGO unit’s high-pressure water mist cannon can project mist more than 200 feet in distance and 50 feet in width. They also carry “1,182 litres of water and feature dual 200-foot ultra-high-pressure hoses capable of delivering a hybrid water–air spray up to 61 metres, with a 15-metre spread”.
Drago Module – Drago-ISI
SFD Life Insurance Reminder
As there have been a few recent inquiries regarding the paid-up life insurance, this is a friendly reminder that it remains available. It was part of the Collective Agreement between The Corporation of the City of Scarborough and The Scarborough Professional Fire Fighters’ Association Local 626, Article 1203.
For more information, please follow the link below.
Life Insurance Policy – Article 1203 | Scarborough Retired Fire Fighters
Travel Insurance When Traveling to Other Canadian Provinces
At the recent Retired Toronto Fire Fighters meeting, a discussion took place regarding the need for only Ontario OHIP when traveling in Canada. When traveling to other provinces in Canada, we might take for granted that our Ontario OHIP will cover all our medical expenses. This isn’t always the case, as OHIP provides limited coverage for emergency medical services outside of Ontario; it typically does not cover routine care or non-emergency treatments. For instance, ambulance services (including transport and paramedic) are not covered. It is advisable to have travel insurance to cover medical expenses not included in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). For more information, see OHIP coverage outside Ontario | ontario.ca
Golf 2026
As most know, we usually get together twice a year. 2025 saw great turnouts with some new faces joining us. Ed and I are hoping for an even better showing in 2026. So mark your calendars and start thinking of a foursome. Our golf dates for 2026 are Wednesday, June 3rd, and Wednesday, September 16th.
A Quick Word on AI: The Rookie in the Room (Who’s Not HAL… Hopefully)
There’s a lot of talk about AI these days and where it is headed. One thing is certain: it is moving quickly, and big business is hoping to capitalize on it financially.
Artificial Intelligence is like the recruit who never sleeps—always ready to sort emails, organize events, and dig up old photos for the anniversary slideshow. It’s sharp, fast, and doesn’t ask for a coffee break. But let’s be honest: it’s still green. Sometimes it misses the human touch, like writing a newsletter that’s technically perfect but missing the heart. Think HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey—minus the creepy red eye and the tendency to lock the doors (at least for now!). Like any tool in the fire hall, AI works best when guided by experience, humor, and a bit of old-school wisdom. We should, however, keep an eye on it—just in case it starts singing “Daisy Bell.”