Fire service instructors' working practices: A UK survey

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 4.5 times (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.

KEYWORDS:

• Fire service
• Occupational health
• Heat exposures

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Health Management Research Project for Live Fire Instructors.

Authors' contribution to the study

Emily R Watkins Study design, survey preparation, survey distribution, data analysis, manuscript write up. Mark Hayes Study design and manuscript write up.Peter Watt Study design and manuscript write up. Alan J Richardson Study design, survey preparation, survey distribution, and manuscript write up