Death of Winnipeg firefighter prompts calls for more mental health supports
A Winnipeg firefighter's tragic death is prompting calls for more mental health support in Manitoba.
Preston Heinbigner is being remembered as a loving husband and father, and will be recognized in the Manitoba legislature next week.
Flags at fire stations across Winnipeg are at half-mast to honour the life of Heinbigner, who was a firefighter for 17 years.
Advocates say they are hearing from first responders at an unprecedented rate. While they say it's a step toward eradicating the stigma surrounding support seekers, people like Heinbigner need those supports sooner.
"In our world, our job, we see things that are unnatural. And we get put in situations that are unnatural, sometimes for extended periods. And these things can have a negative effect on our members," said Tom Bilous, the president of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg.
Bilous said Heinbigner's death has rocked Winnipeg's firefighter community to the core.
"We need more resources, more mental health responses. We need the capacity to see more of our members in a timely fashion."
Advocates also want to make it more socially acceptable to ask for help.
"It's OK to not feel OK," said Scott Maxwell, the executive director of Wounded Warriors Canada. "It's OK to maybe struggle with what they've done as a trauma exposed professional person."
According to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS), psychological claims made by members to the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba have been on the rise in recent years, with 118 claims made in 2023.
"I think that's just the tip of the iceberg," said Bilous. "I think the number is far higher than that, and that is very concerning."
The Manitoba government said it's committed to supporting first responders, but wouldn't say how it plans to do that.
"As of right now, the focus for me is on the member's statements," said Waverley MLA David Pankratz. "Bringing community together, and making sure that we're really honouring Preston and his family."
The WFPS and United Firefighters of Winnipeg say they are working together to support Heinbigner's family during this incredibly difficult time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Is there a cost to convenience? Canada approves new cancer immunotherapy treatment
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
King Charles III returns to public duties with a trip to a cancer charity
King Charles III will return to public duties on Tuesday when he visits a cancer treatment charity, beginning his carefully managed comeback after the monarch’s own cancer diagnosis sidelined him for three months.
NDP says Ottawa's new grocery task force isn't living up to government promises
The federal government says the task force it created to monitor and investigate grocery retailers' practices has not conducted any probes and doesn't have a mandate to take enforcement action.
Archeologists search for remnants of Halifax's 250-year-old wall that surrounded the city
Archeologist Jonathan Fowler is using ground-penetrating radar to search for historic evidence of the massive wall that surrounded Halifax more than 250 years ago.
Kazakhstan arrests ex-interior minister in connection with unrest that left 238 dead
Authorities in Kazakhstan arrested a former interior minister on Tuesday, in connection with deadly police crackdown on unrest that gripped the country in 2022, Kazakh news media reported.
A group of Toronto tenants have been on a rent strike for a year and say there's no resolution in sight
Dozens of tenants in Toronto's Thorncliffe Park area have now been withholding their rent for one year, and it’s unclear when the dispute will end.