The Battalion Chief of the Saskatoon Fire Department says cancer in the fire service has been a growing issue for about the last 15 years.
Rob Hogan estimates about 16 Saskatoon firefighters have died from occupation-related disease.
He explains that toxic substances being released in home fires has led to more firefighters getting sick and in some cases, dying.
The toxins come from things like chemical flame retardants in furniture, glues, vinyl and plastics.
Hogan adds that this chemical soup also means a hotter, faster fire so the flame retardants that are supposed to make things safer can actually be more harmful once the fire combusts.
Recently, a federal action plan was announced to protect firefighters from harmful chemicals.
It includes actions to ban harmful flame retardants, identifying improvements for personal protective equipment, and conducting research to assess levels of exposure.