Current Studies

Lee, H., Ahn, J., & Choi, Y. (2023).

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 2917.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042917

(1) Background: The purposes of this study were to develop a physical fitness evaluation program for new firefighters, to investigate whether there is a quality difference in performing CPR for cardiac arrest patients according to physical strength, and to provide basic data to improve CPR quality. (2) Methods: The subjects of this study were fire trainees who were appointed as firefighters for the first time in G province from 3 March 2021 to 25 June 2021. The age of subjects was 25-29 years old, and their experience of working as a firefighter was less than three months. According to the purposes of the study, the researcher composed the Physical Fitness Evaluation Program, including the physical fitness evaluation method and steps, and requested a content expert group to modify and supplement the 'physical fitness assessment program'. The subjects were divided into four groups according to their levels of physical strength, and CPR was performed for 50 min in groups of two. A high-end Resuscitation Anne Simulator (Laerdal, Norway) mannequin was used to evaluate the quality of CPR. (3) Results: When comparing the difference in CPR quality, there were statistically significant differences in the number of chest compressions and compression depth, but all groups met the CPR guidelines. In the case of this study, it is thought that high-quality CPR could be performed because the subjects' average age was low and they continued to exercise to improve their physical strength for their role. (4) Conclusions: It was concluded that the fitness level of new firefighters confirmed by this study was sufficient for general high-quality CPR. In addition, for high-quality CPR, continuous management is required by developing a continuous CPR education and physical training program for all firefighters.

Ras, J., Kengne, A. P., Smith, D. L., Soteriades, E. S., & Leach, L. (2023). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 2816.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042816

Approximately 45% of on-duty related mortalities were due to sudden cardiac death, with many of these fatalities related to cardiovascular disease and overexertion, while performing emergency duties. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to determine the association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters. A literature search of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCOHost, and ScienceDirect was conducted; the Rayyan® intelligent systematic review tool was used to screen and select studies for inclusion. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme toolkit was used for the methodological assessment of included studies. Data were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 and MedCalc® statistical software to determine the effects of obesity (Z = 10.29, p < 0.001) and aging (Z = 4.72, p < 0.001) on cardiorespiratory fitness. Furthermore, there was a significant effect for cardiorespiratory fitness level on systolic blood pressure (Z = 5.94, p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (Z = 2.45, p < 0.001), total cholesterol levels (Z = 3.80, p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Z = 4.44, p < 0.001), triglycerides (Z = 3.76, p < 0.001) and blood glucose concentration (Z = 4.78, p < 0.001). Cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly and inversely associated with firefighters. Fire service departments should adopt behavioral intervention strategies to maintain optimum cardiovascular disease risk factor profiles and cardiorespiratory fitness among firefighters to ensure their occupational well-being.

Miloslavich, K., Leonard, S. J., Wardle, M. C., & Vujanovic, A. A. (2023).

Advance online publication.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2177113

Background: Firefighters represent an understudied population with high rates of hazardous alcohol use and alcohol use disorder. This population is also at an increased risk of mental health disorders and related symptoms such as anger. Anger is a relatively understudied negative mood state with clinical relevance to alcohol use among firefighters. Anger is associated with greater alcohol use and may spur more approach-motivated reasons for drinking compared to other negative emotions. Objectives: This study sought to examine: 1. whether anger significantly contributes to alcohol use severity in firefighters above and beyond general negative mood; 2. which of four validated drinking motives (e.g., coping, social, enhancement, and conformity) act as moderators in the relationship between anger and alcohol use severity in this population. The current study is a secondary analysis of data from a larger study examining health and stress behaviors among firefighters (N = 679) at a large urban fire department in the southern United States. Results: Results revealed that anger was positively associated with alcohol use severity, even after controlling for general negative mood. Further, social and enhancement motives for drinking were significant moderators of the relationship between anger and alcohol use severity. Conclusions: These findings identify anger specifically as an important factor to be considered when assessing alcohol use in firefighters, especially those who are drinking to make social experiences more enjoyable or to enhance their mood. These findings can be used to inform more specialized interventions for alcohol use by targeting anger more specifically in firefighters and other male-dominated first-responder populations.

Khoshakhlagh, A. H., Al Sulaie, S., Yazdanirad, S., Orr, R. M., Dehdarirad, H., & Milajerdi, A. (2023).

Heliyon, 9(2), e13250.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13250

Lack of sleep can affect the health and performance of firefighters. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the global prevalence of sleep disorders and poor sleep quality among firefighters and reported associated factors. Four academic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) were systematically searched from January 1, 2000 to January 24, 2022. These databases were selected as they are known to index studies in this field. The search algorithm included two groups of keywords and all possible combinations of these words. The first group included keywords related to sleep and the second group keywords related to the firefighting profession. The relevant Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to evaluate study quality. Data from eligible studies were included in a meta-analysis. In total, 47 articles informed this review. The pooled prevalence of sleep disorders and poor sleep quality in firefighters were determined as 30.49% (95% CI [25.90, 35.06]) and 51.43% (95% CI [42.76, 60.10]), respectively. The results of a subgroup analysis showed that individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) had a higher prevalence of sleep disorders than those in high-income countries (HICs) but HICs had a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality than LMICs. Various factors, including shift work, mental health, injuries and pain, and body mass index were associated with sleep health. The findings of this review highlight the need for sleep health promotion programs in firefighters.

Panumasvivat, J., Sirikul, W., Surawattanasakul, V., Wangsan, K., & Assavanopakun, P. (2023).

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3527.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043527

Wildland firefighting is a high-risk occupation. The level of cardiopulmonary fitness can indicate whether wildland firefighters are ready to perform their job duties. This study's objective was to determine wildland firefighters' cardiopulmonary fitness using practical methods. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to enroll all 610 active wildland firefighters in Chiang Mai. The participants' cardiopulmonary fitness was assessed using an EKG, a chest X-ray, a spirometry test, a global physical activity questionnaire, and the Thai score-based cardiovascular risk assessment. The NFPA 1582 was used to determine "fitness" and "job restriction". Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare cardiopulmonary parameters. With a response rate of 10.16%, only eight wildland firefighters met the cardiopulmonary fitness requirements. Eighty-seven percent of participants were in the job-restriction group. An aerobic threshold of eight METs, an abnormal EKG, an intermediate CV risk, and an abnormal CXR were the causes of restriction. The job-restriction group had a higher 10-year CV risk and higher systolic blood pressure, although these differences were not statistically significant. The wildland firefighters were unfit for their task requirements and were more at risk of cardiovascular health compared to the estimated risk of the general Thai population. To improve the health and safety of wildland firefighters, pre-placement exams and health surveillance are urgently needed.