FEMA U.S. Fire Administration Emerging Health and Safety Issues in the Volunteer Fire Service (FA-317) - Heart Disease, Nutrition, Alcohol and Tobacco Use, Diabetes, Personal Protective Equipment

Firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other emergency responders face many dangers daily from exposure to smoke, deadly temperatures, and stress to issues surrounding personal protective equipment (PPE), vehicle safety, and personal health. Although publicized firefighter fatalities are associated more often with burns and smoke inhalation, cardiovascular events, such as sudden cardiac death, account for the largest number of nonincident firefighter fatalities.

While sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death among firefighters, other factors affecting firefighters' health, wellness, and safety result in multiple deaths and injuries each and every year. Through the collection of information on firefighter deaths, the USFA has established goals to reduce loss of life among firefighters. In order to achieve this goal, emphasis must be placed on reducing the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease as well as on the mitigation of other issues affecting the health and safety of the Nation's firefighters.

Contents: Introduction * Personal Health * Personal Well-Being * Personal Safety * Emerging Health and Safety Issues * Emerging Health Issues * Emerging Health Issue: Cardiovascular Disease * Emerging Health Issue: Nutrition * Emerging Health Issue: Physical Activity * Emerging Health Issue: Alcohol Abuse * Emerging Health Issue: Tobacco Use * Emerging Health Issue: Diabetes * Emerging Health Issue: Stress Management * Emerging Safety Issues * Emerging Safety Issue: Safety Measures * Emerging Safety Issue: Personal Protective Equipment * Emerging Safety Issue: Vehicle Safety * Emerging Safety Issue: Safety Officers * Goals and Objectives * Best Practice Solutions * Examples * Summary * Next Steps * Appendix 1 * SAMPLE: Volunteer Fire Company Standard Operating Guidelines * Safety Officer * Appendix 2 * Terminology * References