Although nearly two-thirds of U.S. firefighters serve as volunteers, they are rarely included in studies of firefighters' health. The Firefighter Cancer Assessment and Prevention Study (CAPS), a research component of the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS), has enrolled over 600 U.S. volunteer firefighters to help address this gap. This study found a greater prevalence of cancer-related health behaviors among volunteers compared to career firefighters. These behaviors included cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use, and obesity. While the differences in behaviors varied between U.S. states, all state-level prevalences were higher among volunteer firefighters than career firefighters. The findings of this study support the need to provide volunteer firefighters with overall and targeted health promotion and cancer prevention programs.
The fire service research community around the world has focused substantial resources on reducing firefighter risk for sudden cardiac events and chemical exposures that may lead to cancer. Research presented here summarizes important lessons learned from a full-scale residential Fire Study that allowed quantification of the risks as well as the effectiveness of interventions to reduce those risks. To address fireground exposure concerns, personal protective equipment (PPE) and administrative controls exist. But, these controls are not always straightforward to apply. Leadership and management concerns with ongoing implementation of these controls are introduced and opportunities for change management are discussed. While research provides a solid basis upon which to institute policy and practice, fireground leadership and management is critical to ensure appropriate implementation.
There has been little research conducted on the reproductive health of female firefighters. The purpose of this study was to determine whether female reproductive health is a concern among firefighters and to identify key associated issues. Eighty-seven United States (US) firefighters participated in focus groups or interviews. Themes were created using grounded theory with NVivo analysis software and a three-phase coding process. The major finding emerging from the study is that female firefighter reproductive health is a significant concern among firefighters.
Research presented here examines how the demands of fire fighting uniquely affect women. A national sample of 73 female firefighters and fire-service leaders participated in focus groups and key informant interviews. Participants were asked about perceived threats to safety and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that lead to injury regarding gender differences. A thematic qualitative analysis was conducted and the following six themes were identified: (1) impact of working in a male-dominated field, (2) harassment, (3) similar rates/types of injury, (4) inadequate training, (5) ill-fitting gear, and (6) functional techniques/endurance. Both chronic and acute injuries/causes were discussed. Future direction will require diversity education and new training methodologies for the fire service.
