The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model was often utilized as an explanatory framework when investigating the strain process among first responders in general and firefighters in particular. Yet, ...little is known about the motivational processes whithin firefighters. The aim of this study is to expand the knowledge regarding the motivational process of firefighters by investigating job crafting and introducing work meaning within the motivational framework of the JD-R model, in relation to job performance. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from one sample consisting of Romanian firefighters (n = 1,151). Structural equation modeling indicated the existence of both a direct and an indirect effect between job crafting and job performance through work meaning and work engagement. Our findings suggest that firefighters actively engage in job crafting behaviors and also that work meaning can be an outcome of job crafting. Results also encourage further research related to the way work meaning impacts job performance, through its link with work engagement. This study raises attention on how Fire departments may be able to create a climate that emphasizes meaningfulness and engagement, together with opportunities toward job redesign and a focus process based on efficiency gain.
Objective
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are associated with increased suicide risk among firefighters. Few studies have examined modifiable factors, such as mindfulness facets, that ...might attenuate this association. This study examined the interactive effects of PTSD symptoms and mindfulness facets in relation to suicide risk among firefighters.
Method
Overall, 831 career firefighters were assessed for PTSD symptoms, mindfulness facets, and suicide risk via the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire—Revised, respectively.
Results
Greater PTSD symptoms were associated with more severe suicide risk; however, higher levels of two specific mindfulness facets, acting with awareness and nonjudging of inner experience, attenuated this association. By contrast, higher levels of the observing facet of mindfulness potentiated the association between PTSD symptoms and suicide risk.
Conclusions
Suicide prevention initiatives among firefighters, particularly those experiencing trauma‐related sequelae, might benefit from the inclusion of mindfulness‐based practices alongside frontline empirically‐supported approaches.
Firefighters are at increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and sleep disturbances due to occupational trauma exposure as well as the nature of their job (e.g., shift work, ...workplace stress). PTSD symptoms co-occur with sleep disturbances, including poor sleep quality, short sleep duration, and low sleep efficiency. No published studies have examined subgroups of firefighters based on PTSD symptoms and sleep disturbances. Thus, we used latent profile analysis to identify the best-fitting class solution to categorize firefighters based on endorsed PTSD symptoms and sleep disturbances and examined relations between the optimal class solution and health covariates (i.e., anger reactions, depression symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, number of traumatic event types). The sample included 815 trauma-exposed firefighters (Mage = 38.63; 93.20% male). Results indicated three latent subgroups: High PTSD-Sleep Disturbances, Moderate PTSD-Sleep Disturbances, and Low PTSD-Sleep Disturbances. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that endorsing greater anger reactions, depression symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties increased the chances of being in the more severe classes. Endorsing greater number of traumatic event types increased the chances of being in the Moderate vs. Low PTSD-Sleep Disturbances Classes. Findings improve our understanding of subgroups of firefighters based on PTSD and sleep disturbances and underscore the importance of addressing depression symptoms, anger management, and emotion regulation skills for firefighters reporting more severe PTSD symptoms and sleep disturbances.
Motivated by feedback from firefighters in Normandy, this work aims to provide a simple technique for a set of identical drones to collectively describe an arbitrary planar virtual shape in a 3D ...space in a decentralized manner. The original problem involved surrounding a toxic cloud to monitor its composition and short-term evolution. In the present work, the pattern is described using Fourier descriptors, a convenient mathematical formulation for that purpose. Starting from a reference point, which can be the center of a fire, Fourier descriptors allow for more precise description of a shape as the number of harmonics increases. This pattern needs to be evenly occupied by the fleet of drones under consideration. To optimize the overall view, the drones must be evenly distributed angularly along the shape. The proposed method enables virtual planar shape description, decentralized bearing angle assignment, drone movement from takeoff positions to locations along the shape, and collision avoidance. Furthermore, the method allows for the number of drones to change during the mission. The method has been tested both in simulation, through emulation, and in outdoor experiments with real drones. The obtained results demonstrate that the method is applicable in real-world contexts.
In the complex work environments of firefighting teams, it is often human error or difficulties in teamwork that lead to dangerous situations. To prevent these, it is essential to know the ...teamwork-related stressors and resources in firefighting operations. A measurement tool is needed to evaluate these stressors and resources. A successive instrument development process was conducted to identify the relevant teamwork-related stressors and resources in firefighting operations. First, interviews with experienced firefighters, and second, a document analysis were conducted and evaluated to provide an overview of the teamwork-related stressors and resources. Thereupon, a questionnaire, the REST-Q Fire, was developed asking about the experienced frequency and intensity of the identified teamwork-related stressors and resources in firefighting operations. Afterwards, an online study with firefighters was conducted (N = 491). CFAs confirmed the assumed structure of the REST-Q Fire and a positive correlation of the intensity of stressors with stress was shown (r = .19 - .27). Further, the resources were overall more frequently and intensively perceived than the stressors. The most important stressors were 'behavior of leaders' (M (SD)frequency = 2.80 (0.83), M (SD)intensity = 3.59 (1.12)), and 'behavior of team members' (M (SD)frequency = 2.77 (0.75), M (SD)intensity = 3.59 (1.05)). The most important resources, on the other hand, were 'knowledge about skills and behavior of team members' (M (SD)frequency = 3.96 (0.63), M (SD)intensity = 4.24 (0.78)), 'watch out for/ check on each other' (M (SD)frequency = 3.96 (0.70), M (SD)intensity = 4.20 (0.80)), and 'reliability of team members' (M (SD)frequency = 3.96 (0.51), M (SD)intensity = 4.16 (0.73)). As a result, training needs for trainees in the fire service and experienced firefighters were derived.
The number of female firefighters in the urban sector in Australia is less than five per cent, despite good efforts to broaden the catchment for recruitment. How can this be improved using ...best-practice recruitment?
The number of female firefighters in the urban sector in Australia is less than five per cent, despite good efforts to broaden the catchment for recruitment. How can this be improved using ...best-practice recruitment?
Firefighters, compared to other occupational groups, are exposed more frequently in their working environment not only to physical issues, such as musculoskeletal disease, respiratory disease, and ...burns but also to mental health issues, such as PTSD and depression. Specifically, Korean firefighters experience significantly higher rates of work-related injuries compared to those in other countries. Recent statistics from the Korea National Fire Agency indicate a steady increase in the number of firefighting work-related injuries. However, there is a shortage of measures in place to address these issues. This study aims to investigate the health needs, overall healthcare usage, and unmet needs of firefighters in Korea. We also aim to investigate, through in-depth interviews, perceptions and hindering factors for integrative medicine approaches to fulfilling unmet needs.
This study was conducted in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Convenience and snowball sampling methods will be used to recruit firefighters to participate in the study, and interviews will be conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The data will be analyzed in four stages using the qualitative analysis method of Krippendorff.
In this study, we examine the state of health issues and healthcare usage among Korean firefighters and investigate their perceptions of and needs for integrative medicine. In this way, we aim to explore how integrative medicine and Korean medicine approaches could improve and assist healthcare services for firefighters. Furthermore, our findings will provide policymakers and healthcare providers with the necessary basic information to develop integrative medicine systems suited to firefighters.
ObjectivesIn order to make recommendations to protect wildland firefighters (WLFFs) from heat-related illness, the role physical exertion plays on core body temperature (Tc) in the work environment ...needs to be considered. We aimed to estimate the association of time-varying job tasks with differing exertion levels on change in Tc, among WLFFs engaged in fire management activities, while controlling for ambient conditions and individual characteristics. In addition, we examined whether duration of tasks modified the relationship between task and change in Tc.MethodsWe used data from The Wildland Firefighter Heat Related Illness study, a repeated measures study with individual-level data on 301 WLFFs from 2013 to 2016. Job tasks over one full shift were recorded and categorised into four levels (sedentary, light, moderate and high) based on estimated exertion levels. Tc was measured every 15 s using an ingestible sensor and personal monitors measured ambient conditions. The analysis used generalised estimating equations with an autoregressive correlation structure.ResultsWe found statistically significant associations between job tasks with increased physical demand and increases in Tc. When compared with sedentary tasks, the estimated increases in Tc for light, moderate and high activity tasks of average duration were 0.07°C (95% CI 0.02 to 0.11°C), 0.19°C (95% CI 0.15 to 0.23) and 0.44°C (95% CI 0.39 to 0.49°C), respectively. In addition, we found evidence of interaction between task type and duration.ConclusionsThis study supports the hypothesis that occupational exposure to physical exertion increases Tc, highlighting the need to update recommendations to protect WLFFs from heat-related illness.
Resilience has been highlighted as a pivotal factor in overcoming the detrimental impact of trauma. The present study tests a resilience model of trauma using risk (rumination, emotion regulation, ...and entrapment) and protective (perceived social support) factors in a sample of firefighters who are at heightened risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, using a cross-sectional design. Specifically, the present study focuses on perceived social support as a resilience factor against PTSD symptoms, in response to trauma exposure. The sample included 545 firefighters from six large cities in Korea, who completed the following self-report questionnaires: Life Event Checklist, Event-related Rumination Inventory, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Entrapment scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. Exposure to traumatic events indirectly affected PTSD symptoms via intrusive rumination, emotional regulation, and perceptions of entrapment. Additionally, the mediating effects of intrusive rumination and perceptions of entrapment were moderated by perceived social support. That is, firefighters with high levels of perceived social support reported lower severity of rumination and PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that perceptions of social support may operate as a resilience factor in buffering the effects of trauma on PTSD symptoms. Perceived social support interacts with intrusive rumination and perceptions of entrapment, thereby resisting the development of PTSD symptoms.
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