Fire Service Instructors' Working Practices: A UK Survey

Emily Watkins, Mark Hayes, Peter Watt, Alan Richardson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Analysis of Fire Service Instructors (FSI) working practices and health is needed to minimise health risks related to heat illness, cardiovascular events and immunological stress. Online surveys were distributed to UK FSI and Firefighters (FF). One hundred and thirty FSI (age: 43±7yrs) and 232 FF (age: 41±8yrs) responded. FSI experienced 2-10 live fires per week, with 45% of FSI reporting management does not set a limit on the number of exposures. Few FSI followed hydration guidelines, or cooling methods. New symptoms of ill health were reported by 41% of FSI and 21% of FF. FSI with ≥11 Breathing Apparatus exposures per month were 4.5times (95% CI 1.33-15.09) more likely to experience new symptoms. A large proportion of FSI are experiencing new symptoms of illness after starting their career, and guidelines on exposure and hydration are not universally in place to reduce the risk of future health problems.
Original languageEnglish
JournalArchives of Environmental & Occupational Health
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 May 2018

Bibliographical note

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health on 05/04/2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/19338244.2018.1461601

Keywords

  • Fire service
  • Occupational health
  • Heat exposures

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