Objective 9: Firefighter Wellness, Safety, and Health Risks: Key Concepts and Prevention Strategies | Quizlet

Firefighter wellness program

A program intended to guide firefighters toward a healthy lifestyle and maintain fitness for duty.

Purpose of wellness programs

Help reduce firefighter illnesses, injuries, and fatalities by maintaining firefighter health.

Exercise and healthy diet

Help the body better withstand stress.

Career department fitness

Career firefighters are typically required to participate in physical fitness programs.

Volunteer department fitness

Volunteer firefighters must establish their own regimen to remain fit for duty.

Effects of being overweight

May contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal injuries, and being unfit for duty.

PPE cleaning frequency

Clean PPE at least twice annually and after every exposure to smoke.

Personal health guidelines

Stay informed about job-related health issues, wear appropriate PPE, clean PPE, follow vaccination recommendations, avoid infectious exposures, use proper lifting techniques, exercise, eat a healthy diet, maintain blood pressure/cholesterol, avoid tobacco, and have regular medical checkups.

Firefighter injuries

Can range from minor strains and sprains to injuries requiring hospitalization and lost duty time.

When can firefighter injuries occur?

During training, operations, and while responding to or returning from incidents.

Injury prevention

Effective training, discipline/accountability, safety SOPs, PPE, physical fitness, risk management, and rehabilitation.

Acute illness

An illness that lasts only a few days and results in little lost duty time.

Chronic illness

A long-lasting illness that can be fatal and may be behavioral or result from occupational exposures.

Leading cause of firefighter fatalities identified in the lesson

Cardiovascular disease.

Work-related cardiovascular risks

Smoke and chemical exposure, heat stress, psychological stress, and long or irregular work hours.

Non-job-related cardiovascular risks

Obesity, tobacco use, and lack of physical fitness.

Respiratory diseases

Asthma, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Respiratory hazards for firefighters

Smoke, gases, and chemicals.

SCBA rule during structural firefighting

Never remove SCBA until the supervisor or Incident Commander says it is safe.

When must SCBA be worn?

In IDLH situations and according to departmental respiratory protection requirements.

Carcinogens

Numerous cancer-causing substances present in almost all types of fires and in apparatus exhaust fumes.

What are firefighters exposed to in all fires and apparatus exhaust fumes?

Carcinogens.

Four cancers identified as higher risks for firefighters

Testicular cancer, prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Cancer exposure sources

Carcinogens in fires and exhaust fumes from apparatus.

Ways to reduce chemical exposure

Always wear SCBA around damaged structures, remain upwind of fires and smoke plumes, do not wear contaminated gear into rehab, do not store contaminated gear in living areas, decontaminate gear after fires, wash hands/neck, and shower as soon as possible.

Infection and exposure control programs

Programs required by NFPA 1500 to limit exposures, document exposures, and provide access to treatment.

Occupational exposures

Infectious diseases, chemicals, products of combustion, engine exhaust, and other occupational/environmental exposures.

Diseases firefighters may encounter

AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, MRSA, C-diff, and other communicable diseases.

Body Substance Isolation (BSI)

Methods used to protect firefighters from exposure to potentially infectious bodily substances.

Ways to reduce infectious exposure

Limit unnecessary contact, maintain recommended separation, wear appropriate protective clothing/equipment, and use BSI methods.

Member Assistance Program (MAP)

Provides accessible and confidential assistance to firefighters and their families for personal problems affecting job performance.

MAP services

Education, counseling, and referrals for substance abuse, tobacco use, stress, depression, anxiety, marital problems, financial problems, and other concerns.

Substance abuse

Drugs and alcohol can impair ability to function and slow reaction time.

Firefighter impairment rule

Do not respond or report for duty while under the influence of drugs/alcohol or medication that causes impairment.

Tobacco use risks

Can cause cancer, heart disease, and COPD and make chronic diseases last longer.

Occupational stress

A contributing factor to stress-induced hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Ways to mitigate stress

Stay physically fit, maintain a positive mental attitude, relax when possible, and use a personal stress management program.

Atypically stressful event

An event more stressful or unusual than what firefighters routinely encounter.

CISD

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.

CISD lesson finding

Research referenced in NFPA standards found CISD was not as effective as once thought and may have made situations worse.

PTSD

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Response to possible PTSD

Officers and supervisors should monitor personnel and confidentially recommend assistance from licensed/certified specialists when appropriate.