Working Can Be Dangerous - By Joanne MacDonald, Straight Goods
Statistics from the International of Fire Fighters (IAFF) also show that since 1970, more than 160 professional firefighters have died in the line of duty in Canada.
'It's not a safe job, so you try and be a safe worker to the extent that you can,' says Kennedy, adding that firefighters run the risk of sustaining physical and/or mental traumas.
He says members feel 'almost vulnerable' when they return to the job after being injured.
'We tend to go around thinking that we have a shield of armour and we can't get injured. So when it does happen, it can be disturbing for the individual,' he says. 'Some guys come back from an injury and even though they've passed the physical requirements, they do wonder if they can expect to perform the same way they did before.'