I recently had the honor of being invited to join a gathering of fire service researchers who have focused their energy and talents on identifying the causes and preventable factors of fire service cardiovascular deaths and disabilities. Leaders from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, United States Fire Administration, International Association of Fire Fighters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency – Grants Directorate, National Volunteer Fire Council and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation reviewed the current body of knowledge on firefighter cardiovascular research.
Topics that were reviewed were essentially broken into three broad categories that drove the major emphasis of current research:
- the need for regular and on-going medical surveillance
- the need for regular and ongoing emphasis on physical fitness
- an enhanced behavioral health focus (inclusive of stress, alcohol use, tobacco cessation, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbance, etc.)
There was a consensus that we are increasingly at a transformational period of time in the history of the United States fire service - one in which increasingly research is guiding our decision and practices. Clearly in each of the three categories that were defined above, evidence suggests we have more work to accomplish and improvements to achieve. Research has demonstrated that potentially dangerous changes occur within our bodies during firefighting. Research has also validated that many of our firefighters suffer from high rates of obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. These realities create a coalition of evils that result in tragic line-of-duty deaths and disabilities plaguing our American Fire Service.
Our research community also has clearly demonstrated that it requires significant endurance and strength requirements to engage in the rigors of firefighting similar to that of well conditioned athletes. An analogy was advanced that you would not dream of running a 10K without preparation to be success and avoid injury or worse- firefighting, of course, presents similar parallels.
Finally, behavioral focus was discussed as needing more attention. Research has demonstrated that the rigors of the fire service manifest themselves with elevated rates of alcohol abuse, stress, post trauma stress disorder, sleep disturbances, tobacco use among other altered coping mechanisms. As a fire service we must follow this evidence based knowledge to continue to provide support to our firefighters in each of these areas.
Lastly, more discussion was had as to what further research needs and gaps exist with the fire service and how best to address. This gathering of our nation’s most dedicated and respected fire service researches should serve as a call to arms for fire service leadership and firefighters alike! Health, wellness and survival ultimately are rooted in knowledge allowing appropriate action
