The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the International Association of Fire
Chiefs (IAFC) announce the release of "The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire
Fighters and EMS Responders."
This new report is based on a comprehensive literature review of fatigue and
sleep deprivation in other industries (primarily the transportation and medical
fields) and features applications to the fire and emergency services as
appropriate, along with useful mitigation strategies. A resource section is
included.
"We were pleased to work closely with the IAFC on this initiative," said
Chief Gregory B. Cade, U.S. Fire Administrator. "We have long known the stresses
that long-term operations place on all firefighters. The impact of sleep
deprivation is an important issue to the health and safety of firefighters and
EMS responders, and the residents they protect."
This program is a result of a partnership between the IAFC and USFA, with
assistance from the faculty of Oregon Health & Science University. In
addition to the report, a self-guided, computer-based training program has been
developed.
"This is an in-depth culmination of available sleep-deprivation research
that, if taken seriously, should keep the fire chief awake at night," said IAFC
President Chief Steven P. Westermann. "The research can apply to any busy
station, volunteer or career, with any of the traditional schedules, not just
the newer 48/96 schedule. The report ends by providing several recommendations,
not the least of which is how to spot sleep deprivation."
Link:
The
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders and related
training materials
