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Mental Health & Long-Term Health Risks among Firefighters

Nick Busa

Professor Joos

Waldorf University
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Table of Contents

Introduction to the Issue..............................................................................................................................3

Problem Statement......................................................................................................................................3

Purpose Statement.......................................................................................................................................4

Research Questions.....................................................................................................................................4

Background and Significance......................................................................................................................5

Relevance to The Fire Service.....................................................................................................................6

Why the Study is Necessary........................................................................................................................6

Literature review.........................................................................................................................................7

Procedures/Methods..................................................................................................................................10

Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................11

References.................................................................................................................................................12
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Introduction to the Issue

A firefighter's occupation is to douse the fire. With the increase in fire outbreaks

worldwide, there is a need to equip and educate firefighters constantly. Fire outbreaks can be

deadly and detrimental to human health wholesomeness. Firefighters risk occupational hazards

that occasion mental and clinical illness while on active duty. It is, therefore, necessary to

provide them with the required apparatus for operation and protect their health when they are at

work by providing safe and correct firefighting equipment. The firefighters' and other frontline

responders' roles are immense and thus have a higher risk of disease. (Han et al., 2018 ) They

face threats such as cancer and heart attacks. Firefighters are also at an augmented possibility of

depression and anxiety, among other problems related to mental health, that may end up being

chronic. Therefore, adequate research is needed to protect them from the risks occasioning

mental and clinical health issues related to their jobs.

Problem Statement

Due to the nature of their jobs, firefighters are constantly exposed to occupational hazards

such as heat stress, putting on weighty appliances, overindulgent levels of noise, ultraviolet

emission, immoderate temperature, and exorbitant labor conditions. All these risks occasion

increased mental and clinical illnesses such as trauma, injury, and Acute Respiratory Distress

Syndrome (TP Carpenter et al., 2020 ). Research and interventions should be explored to address

firefighters' mental and clinical illnesses. Firefighters should undergo vigorous training, always

be on the lookout, maintain physical fitness and acclimatize a manner of living through training

and education. However, data on the efficacy and accessibility of these interventions are

inadequate.
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Purpose Statement

The research aims to investigate the clinical and mental health issues that firefighters face

in their everyday life. The high levels of occupational risk factors may jeopardize their lives.

This includes their insight into mental health, past work experiences, fears, and needs.

Additionally, the research focuses on determining the efficacy and effectiveness of measures to

address mental and clinical health in firefighters. This is made possible by gaining knowledge of

the psychological treatment services required to help firefighters who are exposed to trauma and

occupational disorders (Vujanovic et al., 2021). This includes the cultural and structural barriers

to accessing psychological treatment services. The research aims to achieve this by investigating

the prevalence of the problem, interventions currently used to address the problem, suggestions

given by the firefighters themselves, and investigating the efficacy of these interventions. This

study also aims to explore the criteria and factors affecting their resilience., to ensure that they

are physically, mentally, and personally fit to work.

Research Questions

1. Identify the mental and clinical health issues firefighters face related to their occupation.

2. Identify the challenges firefighters face in addressing their mental health issues.

3. Identify the effectiveness of measures to address firefighting mental and clinical

occupational health issues.

4. Identify new workable solutions and suggestions to solve their mental health issues, both

long-term and short term by providing psychological treatment services.

5. Identify how the fire service department can provide these solutions to the firefighters.
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Background and Significance

Globally workers experience numerous occupational risks related to their jobs. When on

active duty, firefighters are often exposed to occupational health hazards. Notably, they are the

first responders in life-threatening cases in service to the community because they control a fire's

spread or put it out by primarily using fire. Therefore, their occupations constantly expose them

to traumatic and hazardous events that can occasion clinical and mental illnesses. In their

research, Kim et al. (2018) discuss firefighting as an occupational risk where firefighters,

compared to other professionals, are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Therefore, treating clinical and mental illnesses due to their profession is thus essential to ensure

they perform their roles effectively and protect their wellness. Therefore, interventions are

crucial, including protecting and treating clinical and mental illnesses. For instance, adopting a

mentally healthy work environment lowers the prevalence of mental illnesses (Chen et al., 2020).

Furthermore, providing protective gear for firefighters is crucial in reducing the

prevalence of clinical illnesses related to the profession, such as back injuries and heart diseases.

Klimley et al. (2018) discuss various evidence-based interventions that effectively address

mental illnesses like PTSD. Similarly, all interventions should incorporate scientific knowledge

from the related disciplines to ensure effectiveness. Effective interventions are pivotal in

ensuring wellness for all professionals in firefighting.

Despite the availability of suitable interventions to address the problem, the delivery and

accessibility of these interventions are equally important. Past researchers discuss the prevalence

of PTSD and clinical illness in the firefighting profession due to the constant exposure to

traumatic events and other mental and clinical illnesses because of the profession's demands

(Milligan-Saville et al., 2017; Klimley et al., 2018). Additionally, literature is available on the
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effectiveness of numerous interventions adopted to address these issues (Chen et al., 2020).

However, there exists a knowledge gap on the accessibility and effectiveness of these

interventions to comprehensively address the problem (Jitnarin et al., 2022). The research aims

to add to the literature by adding knowledge on the delivery, accessibility, and effectiveness of

mental illnesses among firefighters. Understanding these is crucial in addressing the issues faced

by firefighters and lowering the prevalence of mental and medical issues in the profession. It will

also help law and policymakers to make the necessary amends to guarantee wellness to

firefighters.

Relevance to The Fire Service

The topic is vital since firefighters play a significant role in the community as first

responders and must contend with numerous risks as they carry out their roles. Emotional,

physical, and mental wellness is critical for all individuals. Therefore, prioritization of the

wellness of firefighters is crucial to ensure that they continue playing the crucial roles they play

in society whenever there are fire outbreaks. They learn how to navigate dangerous incidents,

avoid preventable injuries and protect their coworkers and anyone who needs their help. This is

also helpful to the fire department because they will have employees with high self-esteem and

confidence in performing their tasks.

Why the Study is Necessary

Occupational stress and trauma have recently attracted research interest due to their

effects on the body and people. However, trauma and occupational stress in the firefighting job

have received little focus despite the numerous occupational hazards that firefighters undergo

(Jitnarin et al., 2022). Therefore, research into this topic is crucial to ensure that firefighters do
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not succumb or do not get immobilized by mental and clinical illnesses resulting from their

occupation. A knowledge gap on the subject exposes them further and undermines their abilities

to perform their roles comprehensively.

Literature review

Klimley et al. (2018) discuss PTSD in frontline and emergency responders, including

firefighters, police, and emergency dispatchers. These professionals have a high risk of

developing PTSD, a mental illness linked to their job. According to the research, 80 percent of

these personnel report having experienced trauma while on duty, and 15 percent have PTSD

(Klimley et al., 2018). These traumatic experiences occasion a myriad of mental illnesses and

thus should be treated. The researchers found that firefighting poses a significant risk to injury,

health, and other related problems.

Additionally, firefighters reported the highest stress levels among examined first

responders. The authors studied age and experience, comorbidities, mental health, risk and

protection, resources, prevention and treatment factors, and peers support factors among

firefighters to arrive at their findings. Furthermore, the research limitation is the fear of

perception or repercussions within the industry. Mental illnesses and PTSD are negatively

viewed, which would mean workplace stereotyping or job loss. The researchers recommend

future research on the risk factors, the role of resiliency and protective factors, the development

of job-specific screening measures, and the design of prevention and intervention measures to

counter the problem.

Some factors are responsible for inducing mental health among firefighters in China. The

researchers affirm the constant threat of occupational stress that firefighters vulnerable to
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occasioning psychological problems. The researchers identified rank, birth order, and

educational level affecting mental health outcomes. According to Chen et al. (2020), firefighters

in Shantou have improved mental health results than the Chinese military. However, they are

more prone to experiencing mental disorders than the national population. They also discussed

the ineffective measures adopted to address mental illnesses among firefighters. Therefore, it is

crucial to develop effective mental health treatment methods for firefighters. The researchers

then recommend the training to improve mental health among firefighters.

There are barriers to treating PTSD and other mental illnesses among firefighters. After

conducting a countrywide study in South Korea, the researchers discuss PTSD symptoms, the

wants for treatment, and the blockades to treatment. From their research, the treatments offered

to firefighters for mental illnesses are inadequate (Kim et al., 2018). Barriers to treatment

identified include accessibility and stigmatization concerns by employers and colleagues.

Additionally, these barriers to treatments were found to exacerbate the symptoms of mental

illnesses (Kim et al., 2018). Conflict in the research relating to the industry is the identification

of stigmatization by colleagues and employers as a significant barrier to treatment. Some

recommendations include research on new ways to increase the accessibility and effectiveness of

mental health treatments.

PTSD among firefighters amplifies some common somatic symptoms. PTSD is known

to be connected with various physical health complications. The study investigated the effects of

age on the relationship between the two. Results of the study revealed that firefighters with

PTSD have significantly higher somatic symptoms regardless of age, suggesting that the

condition is associated with various physical well-being issues (Milligan-Saville et al., 2017).
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The study also noted that firefighters battling PTSD have a significantly higher level of somatic

indicators regardless of age, suggesting that the condition is associated with various physical

wellness issues (Milligan-Saville et al., 2017). They, however, do not include significant

conflicts or recommendations for future research.

The pervasiveness of PTSD and mental illness coexistence among firefighters has also

been discussed. Additionally, the author examines the occupational factors related to PTSD

among firefighters. The higher degree of PTSD in firemen and women is believed to be related

to their stressful environment. This study also found that the symptoms of PTSD are more

common in firefighters with other mental health conditions (Jitnarin et al., 2022). It suggests that

the diagnosis of PTSD may not be enough to identify the specific mental health issues that affect

the individuals in the fire service. High levels of occupational trauma and low self-efficiency

were also known to be related to the development of PTSD among firefighters. The conclusions

support the idea that social support and self-efficacy can help reduce the risk of PTSD in these

individuals. The conflicts in the research relating to the injury raise pertinent issues such as job

satisfaction and perception of support as some of the factors occasioning PTSD and other mental

illnesses. The researchers recommend the integration of PTSD and other mental health programs

aimed at helping solve the issue among firefighters.

The reviewed literature in the current research contained was noted to contain some

research gaps. Some of the gaps in knowledge in the current research are the failure to address

the efficacy of some mitigation strategies adopted to address the problem. Moreover, the

literature needed to address the efficacy of measures adopted and implemented to address the

issue of mental illnesses. Additionally, some of the literature needed a multidimensional view
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where research was conducted on a single city, and the findings were generalized. Other

knowledge gaps are the failure to address some effective treatment techniques used to address

PTSD and mental illness among firefighters, including the failure to identify the multiple

amplifiers of semantic symptoms.

Firefighters are exposed to trauma and mental health risks as part of their job. However,

it is not explicitly clear what mental health issues firefighters have to contend with while in

active service apart from PTSD, the interventions, and the efficacy of the adopted interventions

in preventing mental health. The current study will address these literature gaps by examining

what mental health issues firefighters face and whether coaching, mentorship, and counseling

help firefighters deal with mental health issues. The hypothesis is that coaching, mentorship, and

counseling help firefighters deal with mental health issues while on active duty.

Procedures/Methods

The project will use quantitative research methods to answer the research questions

effectively. After reviewing the literature, I will analyze data to help prove the hypothesis. The

study will be conducted by collecting data through the use of questionnaires. These

questionnaires will be administered digitally. The study will target collect responses from over

100 firefighters in active service. Data collected from at least 100 respondents can be generalized

and scaled (Patten & Newhart, 2017). For this research, convenience sampling methods will be

used to select the sample space. Participants in the study will be engaged based on their

willingness and availability to participate. Google forms are the format to be used to collect data

through questionnaires.
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For all participants involved in this research, it is crucial to maintain the confidentiality of

the responses they share in the questionnaires. In this research, some measures will be adopted

that will help keep the participant data confidential. Among these measures is the securing of the

responses from the participants through the use of encryption and passwords. This will help

protect the documents from unauthorized access. The other measure is the removal of all

personal identifiers before the presentation of the data.

Conclusion

Occupational hazards expose firefighters and other frontline responders to mental health

issues and long-term health risks. Due to their benefits in the community, the continued existence

of these issues poses a significant threat to the community. Therefore, adequate research is

required to help identify and solve issues affecting firefighters. This is because the firefighters'

perceptions of mental health can inform management on the decisions and the necessary

precautions to be taken. The current study will attempt to solve these issues by examining

firefighters' mental health issues and whether coaching, mentorship and counseling are

appropriate solutions.
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References

Carpenter, T. P., Pennington, M. L., Seebeck, J., Gomez, D. R., Denman, T. C., Kimbrel, N.

A., ... & Gulliver, S. B. (2020). Dispositional self-forgiveness in firefighters predicts less

help-seeking stigma and fewer mental health challenges. Stigma and Health, 5(1), 29.

Chen, X., Zhang, L., Peng, Z., & Chen, S. (2020). Factors Influencing the Mental Health of

Firefighters in Shantou City, China. Psychology Research and Behavior Management,

Volume 13, 529–536. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s249650

Han, M., Park, S., Park, J. H., Hwang, S. S., & Kim, I. (2018). Do police officers and firefighters

have a higher risk of disease than other public officers? A 13-year nationwide cohort

study in South Korea. BMJ open, 8(1), e019987.

Jitnarin, N., Jahnke, S. A., Poston, W. S. C., Haddock, C. K., & Kaipust, C. M. (2022). Post-

traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health comorbidity in firefighters. Journal of

Workplace Behavioral Health, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2022.2081172

Kim, J. E., Dager, S. R., Jeong, H. S., Ma, J., Park, S., Kim, J., Choi, Y., Lee, S. L., Kang, I., Ha,

E., Cho, H. B., Lee, S., Kim, E.-J., Yoon, S., & Lyoo, I. K. (2018). Firefighters, post-

traumatic stress disorder, and barriers to treatment: Results from a nationwide total

population survey. PloS One, 13(1), e0190630. Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190630

Klimley, K. E., Van Hasselt, V. B., & Stripling, A. M. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder in

police, firefighters, and emergency dispatchers. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 43,

33–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.08.005
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Milligan-Saville, J. S., Paterson, H. M., Harkness, E. L., Marsh, A. M., Dobson, M., Kemp, R. I.,

Bryant, R. A., & Harvey, S. B. (2017). The Amplification of Common Somatic

Symptoms by Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Firefighters. Journal of Traumatic Stress,

30(2), 142–148. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22166

Patten, M. L., & Newhart, M. (2017). Understanding Research Methods. Routledge. Retrieved

from https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315213033

Vujanovic, A. A., & Tran, J. K. (2021). They are providing psychological services to firefighters.

Journal of health service psychology, 47(3), 137-148.