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Injury, Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Ergonomics

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Health Risks and Fair Compensation in the Fire Service

Part of the book series: Risk, Systems and Decisions ((RSD))

Abstract

There were an estimated 70,090 line of duty injuries (LODI) among United States (US) firefighters in 2011. Although there has been considerable improvement, injury rates continue to be unacceptably high, arising from the inherent dangers of the job. Injuries arising from fire-related hazards are also changing over time, as a result of expansion of the first-responder duties of firefighters and changes at the fire scene due to changing construction methods and materials. The most frequent traumatic injuries are minor but in practice may involve lost time or compromise safe performance; unlike other occupations, motor vehicle accidents resulting in injury are uncommon, probably because of vehicle characteristics. Musculoskeletal disorders are usually related to overexertion or overuse and, as with the general population, disproportionately involve the back. Burns and heat-related injuries are uncommon but can be severe. Modifiable risk factors for firefighting-related injuries include ergonomic factors of the job and fitness levels. The importance of fitness in preventing injuries and supporting performance in particularly dangerous or critical situations, such as rescue, has led to the development of formal and often mandated fitness programs. However, one-third of reported injuries among firefighters are sustained during fitness activities.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC77, Tampa, FL, 33647, USA

    John M. Mayer DC, PhD, CCRP

  2. Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, National Development & Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10010, USA

    Sara A. Jahnke PhD

Authors
  1. John M. Mayer DC, PhD, CCRP
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  2. Sara A. Jahnke PhD
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Correspondence to Sara A. Jahnke PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Tee L. Guidotti

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Mayer, J.M., Jahnke, S.A. (2016). Injury, Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Ergonomics. In: Guidotti, T. (eds) Health Risks and Fair Compensation in the Fire Service. Risk, Systems and Decisions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23069-6_10

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