Jim O’Toole joined the St. John’s Regional Fire Department in 2001. He currently holds the rank of firefighter and has attained the qualifications for Acting Lieutenant. During his 22 years of service, Jim has been a part of his local IAFF union executive for over 13 years. He currently serves as the Vice President of his home association as well as the Atlantic Provinces Professional Firefighters Association. These roles require a variety of duties, with his primary focus on the health and safety of his members. Jim was appointed to the IAFF Occupational Health and Safety committee where he represents all IAFF members east of Montreal.

In 2001 he graduated from the Marine Institute Firefighting program at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2002 he completed the Primary Care Paramedic program in Holland College and in 2015 completed an Occupational Health and Safety program from the University of New Brunswick.

Jim’s introduction to the world of cancer in the fire service began in 2006 when he joined a steering committee that worked to bring presumptive legislation for all firefighters in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2015, the tireless efforts of this committee were successful when eleven cancers entered legislation. The work did not end there and again in 2022 an additional eight cancers were added to the initial legislation. In 2019 Jim was appointed to a provincial steering committee under the Fire and Emergency Services division of the NL Government to develop decontamination procedures and best practices for firefighters in his province. Jim has also joined a team of firefighters to bring the Firefighter Support Network to Canada, to provide resources and mentors to firefighters who experience a cancer diagnosis. Jim’s dedicated advocacy work has been recognized through multiple awards, domestically and internationally. In 2023, Jim currently Co-Chairs a firefighter working group within Workplace NL to focus on providing education and resources to firefighters, primarily focusing on cancer, behaviour health and developing a medical surveillance program.

In 2018 Jim heard the words no one is prepared for, “You have Cancer”, diagnosed with stage 2 renal cell carcinoma and required immediate surgery. Five short months later Jim was diagnosed for the second time with stage 2 melanoma, and his treatment continues today. He understands firsthand of the need for this national framework to be developed for firefighters in this country.