Occupational factors and miscarriages in the US fire service: a cross-sectional analysis of women firefighters

Background Evidence from previous studies suggests that women firefighters have greater risk of some adverse reproductive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether women firefighters had greater risk of miscarriage compared to non-firefighters and whether there were occupational factors associated with risk of miscarriage among firefighters. Methods We studied pregnancies in the United States fire service using data from the Health and Wellness of Women Firefighters Study (n = 3181). We compared the prevalence of miscarriage among firefighters to published rates among non-firefighters using age-standardized prevalence ratios. We used generalized estimating equations to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between occupational factors (employment (career/volunteer), wildland firefighter status (wildland or wildland-urban-interface/structural), shift schedule, fire/rescue calls at pregnancy start) and risk of miscarriage, adjusted for age at pregnancy, education, gravidity, BMI, and smoking. We evaluated if associations varied by age at pregnancy or employment. Results Among 1074 firefighters and 1864 total pregnancies, 404 pregnancies resulted in miscarriages (22%). Among most recent pregnancies, 138 resulted in miscarriage (13%). Compared to a study of US nurses, firefighters had 2.33 times greater age-standardized prevalence of miscarriage (95% CI 1.96–2.75). Overall, we observed that volunteer firefighters had an increased risk of miscarriage which varied by wildland status (interaction p-value< 0.01). Among structural firefighters, volunteer firefighters had 1.42 times the risk of miscarriage (95% CI 1.11–1.80) compared to career firefighters. Among wildland/wildland-urban-interface firefighters, volunteer firefighters had 2.53 times the risk of miscarriage (95% CI 1.35–4.78) compared to career firefighters. Conclusions Age-standardized miscarriage prevalence among firefighters may be greater than non-firefighters and there may be variation in risk of miscarriage by fire service role. Further research is needed to clarify these associations to inform policy and decision-making.

Prevalence and Predictors of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Serum Levels among Members of a Suburban US Volunteer Fire Department

Background: Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are ubiquitous pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes. High PFAS levels have been demonstrated among career firefighters; less is known about PFAS levels among volunteer firefighters who comprise two-thirds of US firefighters. Methods: Volunteer fire department members completed a survey and provided blood samples. We calculated geometric means and 95% CIs for PFAS reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We compared PFAS distribution and levels among non-Hispanic white adult male study participants to those in the 2015–2016 and 2017–2018 NHANES cycles. We assessed associations between PFAS serum levels and years of firefighting controlling demographics and occupation using linear regression. Results: Participant’s average age was 46.6 years (sd. 17.1). Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) was detected in almost half study but <3% of NHANES participants; serum levels of PFDoA, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were elevated among participants compared with NHANES. Serum levels of both PFDA and PFDoA were positively associated with years of firefighting. Conclusions: Volunteer firefighters may have a different serum profile and levels of PFAS than the general population. Future work in this area should include volunteer firefighters from other geographic locations and assess sources of PFAS exposure.

NORMATIVE LEGAL AND METHODOLOGICAL REGULATION IN THE FIELD OF VOLUNTARY FIRE SERVICE ACTIVITIES

В статье проведен обзор нормативных правовых документов, регулирующих деятельность подразделений МЧС России по взаимодействию с добровольными пожарными (волонтерами). Анализ актуального законодательства Российской Федерации позволяет разобраться в вопросах статуса добровольцев и волонтеров, а также раскрыть организационные аспекты привлечения добровольных пожарных (волонтеров) и добровольческих (волонтерских) организаций к ликвидации последствий чрезвычайных ситуаций в Российской Федерации. The article provides an overview of the normative legal documents regulating the activities of EMERCOM of Russia divisions regarding interaction with volunteer firefighters (volunteers). The analysis of the current legislation of the Russian Federation enables to investigate the issues of the status of voluntary servants and volunteers, as well as to reveal the organizational aspects concerning involvement of volunteer firefighters (volunteers) and volunteer organizations during elimination of emergencies in the Russian Federation.

Fighting Fires

This chapter explores the consequences of dataveillance with respect to how personal data shadows led to unemployed, volunteer firefighters in Australia's recent fires losing their benefits. One volunteer firefighter, in particular, had his benefits suspended because he has not applied for any jobs. The system requires him to apply for the requisite number of jobs per week if he wants to continue receiving benefit. The firefighter asks for an exception and insists that he has been fighting fires almost full time. Unfortunately, the system does not accept fighting fires as a valid exception. The firefighter then goes on a rant about how he doubts he will work in the legal profession again as everything is becoming automated and data driven: contract review and due diligence, discovery, billing, IP infringements, legal research and expertise. Algorithms now provide the trusted advice. Indeed, according to a report he read, about 50 per cent of current work activities can now be automated using existing technologies.

Transcending adversity: resilience in volunteer firefighters

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a theory of psychological resilience in volunteer firefighters.Design/methodology/approachUsing a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) approach, the qualitative study engaged a purposive sample of eight firefighters in Canada, conducted in-depth interviews and analysed the data using comparative methods.FindingsThe results provided unique insights into resilience in firefighters and revealing resilience as multidimensional, complex, dynamic and contextual. Six core concepts interrelate to construct resilience: relationships, personal resources, meaning-making, leadership, culture and knowledge.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research offer a framework for practical integration of resilience theory into workplace health policy and practice. The theory was co-created with firefighters hence is contextually sound to this population, but applicable to other emergency and health services.Originality/valueVolunteer firefighters are under-represented in the literature, despite facing intermittent and frequently intense work-related stressors; this research begins to address the gap in the literature. As well, previous resilience theories have noted relationships between some components, but there is little evidence linking categories; this theory more patently represents the complex nature of resilience in volunteer firefighters.