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Critical Incident Stress has the potential to affect emergency services personnel to the degree that it can change the way the responder acts and reacts in all facets of his or her life, including the job and his or her family. Research into these potential effects has produced a greater understanding of the responders experiences within a short period of time after the perceived critical incident. This study investigates the long-term effects of critical incident stress among emergency responders from two cities in the three emergency services professions were interviewed to determine what their experiences were at least six months post critical incident. A structured incident had in three areas of teh emergency responders lives: impact on job, impact on the individual responder, and perceived impact on emergency responders families. For particpants, symptoms of Critical Incident Stress lasted between 6 months and 2 years after the perceived critical incident. Analysis of the data indicatees that single responder critical incidents have the potential to negatively affect emergency responders resulting in the loss of enthusiasm and passion for their work, debilitating psychological distress, and isolation from valued support systems. Long-term effects of Critical Incident Stress change the perceptions that responders have about the job, about themselves, and the relationships with their families. The culture of emergency services, changing identities, and the lack of support from both within the system and outside of the system were seen as variables that contribute to the long-term effects of Critical Incident Stress. / xi, 181 leaves ; 29 cm.

Thesis (M.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2004. / Title from title page of source document (viewed on April 23, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-113).

Thesis (M.A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The aim of the study was to explore the factors that contribute to occupational stress among the fire-fighters employed by the Polokwane Local Municipality, Capricorn District of Limpopo. The study focused on the following variables: working relationships, work load, nature of work, deadlines pressure and work-home balance. The nature of the study is qualitative. The study data was collected from July to September 2015. The researcher interviewed fire-fighters in Polokwane Local Municipality. An in-depth semi-structured interview was utilised as the data collection method. The instrument used in the study was a semi structured interview schedule. Data was thematically analysed. The study findings showed that working relationships, work-load, nature of work, deadline pressure and work-home balance contributed to occupational stress. The study also found that occupational stress had negative effects on both the fire-fighters and their organisation

Despite advancements in the development of synthetic fibers and materials that provide better insulation, fire ground burn injuries remain a significant issue. The current test methods for fire fighting clothing were investigated to determine their adequacy in evaluating the actual performance of clothing materials. This investigation uncovered several potential problems with the current test methods. A series of new, small scale, tests were used to evaluate the shortcomings of the current test methods and develop possible improvements. A small test apparatus, designed and donated by Ktech Corporation, was used to measure the thermal properties (thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity) of a series of fire fighting clothing materials. The thermal properties were estimated for single fabric layers, as well as ensembles, with various levels of moisture added to simulate actual end use conditions. In addition, a skin simulant sensor was used to assess the time to 2nd degree burn for exposures similar to those required in current standards for fire fighting clothing. A one dimensional heat conduction model was developed to predict the time to 2nd degree burn for the skin simulant sensor protected with outer shell materials that may be used as wildland fire fighting clothing, using the thermal property data obtained from earlier tests. An alternative method was developed to calculate the time to 2nd degree burn for ensembles evaluated with the new skin simulant sensor. The predictions for the time to 2nd degree burn obtained from the new skin simulant sensor were compared against results obtained using the sensor specified in the current test methods. The predictions for the skin simulant sensor were consistently shorter than those from the current test sensor. The current test sensor predictions for the time to 2nd degree burn were nominally 40% to 50% higher than the predictions from the skin simulant sensor during the evaluations of outer shell materials.

Denna uppsats har som syfte att undersöka om det går att förändra en organisationskultur genom värdegrundsarbete, samt om det är en metod som kan användas för att utmana den mansdominerade kulturen inom räddningstjänsten. För att uppfylla detta syfte har vi utgått från frågeställningarna Hur tolkar brandmännen värdegrunden på Räddningstjänsten Karlstadsregionen? samt Kan värdegrundsarbete vara ett sätt att utmana den mansdominerade kulturen inom Räddningstjänsten?. Den tidigare forskning som gjorts kring värdegrunder är inriktad mot skolverksamhet i första hand vilket gör det intressant att undersöka möjligheten att använda detta som en metod även inom andra verksamheter. Uppsatsen inleds med en teoretisk bakgrund kring organisationskultur, värdegrund samt mansdominerad kultur. Studien är av kvalitativ karaktär och innebär att vi har utfört åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer med brandmän på Räddningstjänsten Karlstadsregionen. Att valet föll på denna organisation beror på att de nyligen har tagit fram en värdegrund som styrdokument och har sedan 2012 arbetat med att implementera den i organisationen. Med hjälp av vår teoretiska referensram har vi analyserat resultatet som framkommit av intervjuerna. Resultatet av vår studie visar att det finns en tvetydighet i tolkningen av värdegrunden som delvis kan bero på att ledningen brustit i sitt arbete att förmedla värdegrunden på ett framgångsrikt sätt, samt delvis för att det finns en ovilja bland brandmännen att ta den till sig. Vår undersökning har visat att värderingarna i organisationen behöver synliggöras för att värdegrundsarbete ska kunna användas som en del i arbetet för att förändra en organisationskultur. Inom en mansdominerad kultur som räddningstjänsten är det även viktigt att synliggöra och problematisera den jargong som finns för att kunna nå en förändring.

Bushfires are an integral part of the Australian environment, and consequently Australian fire fighters are regularly confronted with the challenge of bushfire fighting activities. Bushfires can be extensive and long-lasting, and as a result fire fighters can be exposed to bushfire smoke for long periods without respite. Anecdotal evidence suggests that bushfire smoke exposure can lead to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. In an optimal environment, fire fighters are equipped with respirators and protective filters to prevent the inhalation of the air toxics in bushfire smoke. Yet, reports from the fire ground indicate that the protective filters are not effective in preventing the inhalation of bushfire smoke. As a result, fire fighters have increasingly expressed concern about the ineffective equipment and the resultant respiratory symptoms during and after bushfire fighting. This research aims to establish a scientific data base to support the anecdotal evidence. The objectives of the research were: (1) to identify and quantify the air toxics in Western Australian bushfire smoke; (2) to profile the acute respiratory health effects associated with bushfire smoke exposure; (3) to assess the effectiveness of three different types of filters under controlled conditions in a smoke chamber, and in the field during fuel reduction burn-off; (4) to formulate recommendations for reducing fire fighters' exposure to bushfire smoke; and (5) to inform policy decision makers about the most effective form of respiratory protective equipment for bushfire fighting. Exposure trials were conducted in an experimental setting utilising bushfire smoke conditions in a smoke chamber and during prescribed burn-offs. Repeated measurements of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and oximetry were undertaken before and after bushfire smoke exposure. In addition, personal air sampling inside the respirators was undertaken to quantify and compare the levels of filtered air toxics. The analysis of the collected data demonstrated that, of those compared, the particulate/organic vapour formaldehyde filter was most effective in protecting fire fighters' respiratory health during the smoke exposure period of maximally 120 minutes. Further research would be useful to determine the v effectiveness of the filters under more realistic conditions during bushfire fighting activities. The findings of this research have resulted in a policy review in Western Australia. In 2006, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (FESA) reviewed its Bush Fire Smoke Exposure Standard Operational Procedures 51, and now issues the recommended particulate/organic vapour/formaldehyde filters to the 1,000 FESA career fire fighters. The use of protective equipment for bushfire fighters is inadequately regulated worldwide and the recommendation implemented by FESA can be seen as proactive and in advance of national and international best practice. In conclusion, this project was instrumental in the translation of public health research into best practice that protects occupational health, without the need for the lengthy process of legislative reform. Fire fighter organisations in other countries with high frequencies of bushfires could learn from this example, and move to review their policies and introduce adequate personal protection for fire fighters.

The focus of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate a community college based program that utilizes contextual teaching and learning methods that will prepare completers for careers in public safety.

D. Litt. et Phil. / This report presents the findings of a study conducted in February-March 1995, involving 109 members of different emergency services from three regions: Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. The emergency services included in the study were three units of the South African Police Service (Visible Policing, the Internal Stability Unit and the Flying Squad), provincial fire and ambulance services, and municipal traffic services. The aims of the study were to: (1) describe the underlying causes of stress in the emergency services; (2) establish how stress is currently being dealt with by members and identify the structures and support systems available to assist members with stress-related problems; (3) identify constructive and destructive, effective and ineffective mechanisms used by members to cope with their stress, and (4) suggest solutions to problems experienced in managing stress in the emergency services. The study investigated stressors of SAPS members under the following themes: (1) public image of the SAPS, (2) management style in the SAPS, (3) communication in the SAPS, (4) working environment in the SAPS, (5) working conditions and remuneration packages, (6) distinct characteristics of the work of SAPS members, and (7) the priorities set by SAPS members that need to be addressed in order to reduce their level of stress. The stressors of members of the fire and ambulance services were dealt with under the following themes: (1) utilisation of manpower in the organisation, (2) training provided to members, (3) management style in the fire and ambulance services, (4) distinct characteristics of the work of members of the fire and ambulance services, (5) remuneration packages, and (6) the priorities set by members that need to be addressed in order to reduce their level of stress. The stressors of members of the traffic services were dealt with under the following themes: (1) the public image of the traffic services, (2) distinct characteristics of the work of traffic officials, (3) communication in the traffic services, (4) working conditions and remuneration packages and (5) the priorities set by members that need to be addressed in order to reduce their level of stress. Regarding the support members of the emergency services receive within their organisations for managing stress, a number of sources of support were mentioned, such as social workers, psychologists and chaplains in the SAPS, support by supervisors, debriefing after traumatic events, stress management training, nursing sisters at ambulance stations, drinking and socialising, with the biggest form of support being "buddies". Regarding the co-operation between members of the different emergency services, the perception was that there was a very good relationship and good co-operation. Number of problems experienced in their day-to-day contact with each other were however mentioned.