Saturday, March 1, 2025 Reinforced Protections for Firefighters Ontario’s volunteer firefighters gain clarity on WSIB coverage Newsletters Ontario Emergency Services Sectors Emergency Medical Services By Nicole Wachner, WSIB Specialist At the recent Ontario Stewards conference in February, I had an opportunity to speak to volunteer firefighters about Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and its reinforced protections for volunteer firefighters (VFFs). I shared crucial insights into VFFs rights and benefits under WSIB. The session covered key topics, including injury compensation, employer responsibilities, and presumptive coverage for occupational diseases and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Under WSIB rules, the municipality overseeing a volunteer fire department is considered the “deemed employer” and is responsible for selecting an insurable earnings amount for its firefighters. The majority of our CLAC collective agreements state that the employer agrees to set the amount of WSIB coverage at the “maximum allowable rate” as set by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. For 2025 this is $117,000, therefore, injured VFFs would be eligible to receive 85 percent of that wage, minus deductions for income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Employment Insurance (EI). This amount is used for a VFF’s Loss of Earnings Benefit under WSIB. This coverage applies to injuries sustained while responding to emergency calls, training, or participating in department activities. Volunteer firefighters are also covered under WSIB’s presumptive legislation for occupational diseases, including specific cancers linked to firefighting. If eligibility requirements are met, these illnesses are presumed to have arisen during a VFF’s duties, eliminating the need for additional proof. If eligibility requirements are not met, VFFs are still able to make a claim to WSIB but require additional proof to show the diagnosis to be work-related, such as the amount of hours worked as a VFF and the amount of serious fires the VFF attended and their exposure. For claims that do not meet the presumptive legislation, there is a six-month time limit for filing a claim from date of diagnosis. For claims that do meet the presumptive legislation, workers or their survivors may refile previously denied claims or new claims with no time limit. Additionally, Ontario’s presumptive PTSD legislation ensures that VFFs diagnosed with PTSD receive automatic coverage. To qualify, a firefighter must be actively serving in Ontario or have been diagnosed with PTSD within 24 months of their last call, have been exposed to traumatic events during their service, and receive a PTSD diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist. WSIB benefits include loss of earnings (LOE); healthcare support for therapy, counselling, and medication; and assistance with return-to-work programs and retraining programs. These measures provide a safety net for Ontario’s volunteer firefighters, ensuring they receive the financial support and medical care they need after facing hazards on the job. With these clarifications, municipalities and firefighters alike can better understand their rights and obligations under the WSIB system. CLAC remains available to assist all of its VFF members with any issues that arise in this area. Please contact me at nwachner@clac.ca for more information or guidance on this topic. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026