'Lives are going to be shortened:' Fort McMurray firefighters fear for health
Many Fort McMurray firefighters, unable to wear their usual air masks while battling a giant wildfire that attacked the northern Alberta city, are being screened for health problems because they spent several days breathing in hazardous smoke.
Some of the 180 crew have developed a persistent cough, says firefighter Nick Waddington, president of the Fort McMurray branch of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
Results of lung and blood tests will be private. But Waddington predicts the firefighters will need ongoing support and possible treatment for serious illnesses over the next 10 to 20 years.
"Realistically, a lot of our guys, their lives are going to be shortened because of this incident," Waddington says bluntly. "When you compound that with everything that we're going to have in our careers, we're definitely going to be in a high risk."
Read more: http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/lives-are-going-to-be-shortened-fort-mcmurray-firefighters-fear-for-health/ar-BBucTRs?li=AAggNb9
© Sylvain Bascaron/CBC Edmonton Hundreds of firefighters battled the flames at the Fort McMurray wildfire
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...except the Fort McMurray firefighters have single payor healthcare and won't have to beg their legislative bodies for more funding.
Great article!! 
The article explains that they couldn't wear the apparatus that would have protected them for the long periods of time they were fighting the fire. Very brave souls who clearly put their lives on the line and it is fortunate they won't have to beg for extended health care. I am proud that fighting for our 9/11 heroes has become the signature issue of my former congresswoman, Kirsten Gillibrand. 
