Manitoba is examining the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders and looking at legislation in place in British Columbia and Alberta.

The NDP government released a statement Monday.

“The WCB is currently reviewing legislation that was enacted in Alberta and BC to provide presumptive coverage for PTSD. WCB is expecting to complete the analysis this fall,” said the statement.

“Probably 30 per cent of my time is dealing with members’ conditions that is directly impacted by PTSD,” said Alex Forrest, president of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg.

The union is in talks with the province and the Workers Compensation Board, hoping it follows on the measures in place in Alberta and B.C. where police, fire and paramedic staff members diagnosed with PTSD have quicker access to treatment and compensation.

Chad Swayze was among a group of firefighters sent through the air after an explosion at an industrial fire in Winnipeg in 2012.

“We ended up flying back 10 to 15 feet,” he said.

He escaped with concussion-like symptom, but shortly after the blaze, an injury he couldn't see was taking hold of him.

"I was yelling on the phone to people in meetings. I was yelling, pounding my fist - just acting out strangely (and) self-medicating with alcohol,” he said.

He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

He said if Manitoba enacts new legislation on PTSD, he hopes it will help erase stigma surrounding it among first responders.

“It's hard when firefighters - they don't usually talk about their feelings at the fire hall. It's usually okay grin and bear it,” he said.

No can currently say how many emergency responders have PTSD, but and others worry the numbers could be high because they believe the majority of cases go unreported.

In a recent survey, the Winnipeg paramedic’s union said 63 per cent of its members said PTSD is a workplace issue.

- with a report from Jeff Keele