When Bruce Masales was diagnosed with Stage 4 bladder cancer, he says the news came without warning.

But as a longtime volunteer Halifax firefighter, Masales said he at least took comfort in the belief he would receive financial compensation. 

However, Masales said he was told he doesn't qualify under the provincial Workers' Compensation Board or other municipal insurance coverage, falling through a gap in both systems.

"I'm sitting there — I was kind of shocked," Masales said recently.

The doctors…