Tidigare studier har visat att det finns en övervägande nytta för samhället som helhet vid införandet och användandet av förstainsatsaktörer. I Sverige har nyttjandet av förstainsatsperson, FIP, inom räddningstjänsten visat på en kortare responstid än övrig styrka vid en olycka. Vid en byggnadsbrand är det enligt räddningstjänstens lagföreskrift ett rökdykarpar som utför livräddningen med resterande styrka (släckbil) verkande i bakgrunden. Den här studien utvärderar på nationell nivå tidsbesparingen (den kortare responstiden för två FIP-enheter jämfört med nästkommande enhet) samt den nytta som införandet och användandet av två FIP-enheter resulterar i för samhället som helhet vid en byggnadsbrand. Metoden för att analysera den minskning i skadevärde som en tidigare påbörjad insats medför genom nyttjandet av två FIP-enheter är en kostnadsnyttometod, även kallad CBA (Cost- benefit analysis). Kostnadsnyttoanalysen ställer den merkostnad som investeringen i FIP- enheter medför i kontrast till den nytta som FIP-enheter bidrar med, har nyttan ett större värde än kostnaden så är projektet samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt. Efter sortering av analysunderlaget genomförts återstod 210 stycken fall med fatal utkomst vid brand i byggnad mellan åren 2010 – 2014. Datamaterialet är från räddningstjänstens insats- samt dödsrapporter som ifyllts vid en olyckshändelse som räddningstjänsten larmats till. Resultatet från analysen visar att den genomsnittliga årliga nyttan av FIP-enheterna är beroende på hur stor andel av den avsedda populationen som återfinns inom stationsområde (benämns som täckningsgrad i studien) samt om stationen väljer att investera i en FIP-enhet eller två FIP-enheter. Täckningsgraden för att det ska vara lönsamt att investera i en FIP-enhet är 5311 stycken individer, för att det ska vara samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt att investera i två FIP-enheter måste stationen täcka 10 621 stycken individer. Investeringsalternativen är till följd av att utgångsläget för räddningstjänstens stationer är av olika art, d.v.s. en del stationer har redan en verksam FIP-enhet. För att stationen i fråga ska kunna ta del av den tänkta åtgärden med tidsbesparingen av två stycken FIP-enheter presenteras därav ett case scenario med investeringsalternativet om en FIP-enhet. Slutsatsen som dras är att det är samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt att implementera och nyttja två FIP-enheter för Sveriges räddningstjänster beroende på hur stor andel av Sveriges befolkning som den aktuella stationen täcker och vilket investeringsalternativ som är av intresse. / Previous studies have shown that there is an overwhelming benefit to society as a whole for the introduction and use of first responders. In Sweden, the use of first responders, FIP, for the civil protection demonstrated a shorter response time than the other rescue force when an accident occurred. When there is a fire in a building, according to rescue services regulations a smoke-diving couple performs the lifesaving operation with the residual rescue force (fire engine) acting in the background. This study evaluates if the national time savings; the shorter response time for two FIP units compared with the next unit arriving at the scene of an accident. If the introduction and use of two FIP units and the time saved results in a benefit to the society as a whole when there is a fire in a building. The method for analyzing the reduction in the damaged value as a previously initiated effort involving the use of two FIP units is a cost-benefit approach, also called CBA. Cost-benefit analysis makes the extra cost an investment in FIP units brings in contrast to the benefits that FIP units contributes, is the benefit of greater value than the cost the project is said to be economically viable. After sorting the analytical framework remained 210 cases, with fatal outcomes, for the variable fire in building between the years 2010 - 2014. The data material obtained is from the emergency input and death reports completed after an accident occurred that the rescue services were alerted to. The results of the analysis show that the average annual benefit of FIP units is dependent on the proportion of the intended population found in the station area (referred to as coverage in the study) and if the station chooses to invest in one FIP unit or two FIP units. Adequacy for it to be profitable to invest in one FIP unit requires that the station covers 5311 individuals, for it to be economically profitable to invest in two FIP units the station must cover 10 621 individuals. The investment options are due to the starting position for the rescue stations are of different kinds, i.e. some stations already have an effective FIP unit. For the station in question to take part of the division and time savings with two FIP units therefore a case scenario is presented with the investment option of one FIP unit. The conclusion is that it is economically viable to implement and use two FIP units for Sweden's emergency services depending on the proportion of the population of Sweden that the current station covers and what investment options that are of interest.

Thesis (M.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2008. / Description based on title page of source document ( viewed on April 23, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 135-139).

Thesis (M.A.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2008. / Description based on title page of source document ( viewed on April 28, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-143).

The effects of occupational stress on public servants who seek to protect and maintain security for the general public have begun to receive more attention in recent years. Most of this research has focused on police officers. Much less attention has been directed towards other first responders (i.e., firefighters, paramedics) except in comparisons with police samples or inclusion in mixed first responder groups. Investigative efforts that specifically target firefighters and their unique responses to occupational stress, the vulnerabilities of negative responses to stress, and the variables that enhance and maintain resiliency in these first responders is limited. Moreover, cardiovascular risk has been recognized in firefighters. However research has been focused on examining physical variables related to this risk with little attention to psychological contributions, particularly the role of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goals of the current investigation were to (1) review research that has been conducted on stress in firefighters, (2) examine the effects of job stress, length of service, and critical incidents on developing PTSD and CVD risk (3) evaluate the relationship between PTSD and CVD risk in firefighters (4) increase our understanding of the manifestations of stress in this population, and (5) provide organizations and treatment providers potentially useful information for developing and improving assessment and intervention strategies. Firefighters from the Broward Sheriff's Office special operations teams (N=87) were the participants. Self-report measures and annual physical examination data provided information regarding CVD risk (weight, height, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, physical exercise), job stress, trauma exposure, service length, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results indicated statistically significant relationships between PTSD symptomatology and current smoking status, triglycerides levels, and the number of CVD risk factors. Neither the number of experienced critical incidents, nor the number of service years was associated with PTSD symptomatology. Organizational job stress variables were associated with PTSD symptoms, but not directly with CVD risk. Collectively these findings suggest the reaction to traumatic experiences may be a better indicator of PTSD symptom development, than the actual number of traumatic events experienced. Moreover, the presence of PTSD symptoms may negatively influence overall CVD risk.

No description available.

No description available.

Recent increases in opioid overdose rates have changed the role of first responders on the front lines of this national crisis. The present study used a semi-structured qualitative interview to investigate how the increase in opioids, opioid-related harm, and opioid-related death within Tennessee has affected the first responder population. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and paramedics (N = 30) from rural-serving counties in Tennessee completed a semi-structured interview. Eight themes emerged from the interviews: (1) mental health symptoms, including posttraumatic stress disorder and secondary traumatic stress symptoms; (2) coping behaviors; (3) available resources; (4) barriers to accessing resources; (5) recommendations for what is needed; (6) hardest circumstances; (7) discrepant thoughts and feelings; (8) perception of role in reducing the impact of the epidemic. This study provides novel insights into the impact of the opioid epidemic on Tennessee first responders, and can inform future efforts to reduce adverse outcomes in these care providers.

Given that the rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are increasing in today’s society, it is important to gain a better understanding of how organizational factors shape the work experiences of those who have suffered or suffer from PTSD. Paramedics constantly face hazardous situations on the job and thus it is reasonable to argue that many of these situations may have lasting negative impacts on their mental health such as depression, anxiety, and alienation. The purpose of my research is to explore the understanding and experiences of workers in these professions who have experienced PTSD either directly or indirectly. I hypothesize that the supports that emergency first responders receive for PTSD are largely based on organizational factors that shape these professions. For example, the inherent masculine culture associated with this line of work, and the emotional and physical labour that is associated with the job. In exploring the aspects of support received by paramedics, a deeper understanding of why the workers in these professions are not talking about PTSD, seeking or offering support will be gained. It will be shown that the support paramedics receive, whether it be through family, friends, doctors, and/or co-workers, determines how PTSD is addressed and viewed within these professions. It is hoped that through this research PTSD within emergency first response professions will be better understood as an occupational illness. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Background: First responders have unique and important roles. The duties performed can be dangerous, physically demanding and stressful, leading to high risks of injury and illness. Because of their unique job demands, it is important to identify aspects of the disability management process and predictors of return to work that are specific to first responders Thesis Objectives: To analyze first responder disability management claims associated with injuries and mental health issues to determine predictors of return to work and differences in the disability management claims when comparing first responders to high and low demand occupations. Methods: The claim data were obtained from a disability management company. In the first study, all first responder claims were included in the Cox proportional regression models and the log-rank tests to identify predictors of return to work. For the second study, the claims of high and low demand occupations were randomly age and sex-matched to the first responder claims. Differences in the duration of time off work, the duration of the claim, the injury and mental health diagnoses, and the duties performed when returning to work existed between first responders and the two occupation groups. Results: Musculoskeletal injuries predicted an increased likelihood of returning to work in a shorter duration of time. Medical report lag and claim lag decreased the likelihood of returning to work. First responders returned to work sooner, had shorter disability claim durations, differed in the injuries and mental health issues sustained, and were less likely to return to their pre-injury duties compared to the two occupation groups. Conclusions: Predictors of return to work specific for first responders were identified, yet the results lack generalizability. Although first responders returned to work sooner compared to the other occupations, they were more likely relegated to modified duties. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / First responders perform dangerous and stressful work. They are at risk of injuries and illnesses that require time off work to recover. The goal of this dissertation is to identify features of the return to work process that are specific to first responders. The studies found that first responders with injuries like sprains and strains went back to work sooner than those with mental health issues. The study also found that sooner the injury claim was started and the medical information was received, the sooner first responders could return to work. When compared to other injured workers, first responders returned to work quicker, but were more likely to only be able to do modified work rather than their typical jobs. It is important that first responders fully recovery from injuries before they can get return to responding to emergency calls.

First responders are at increased risk for adverse mental health conditions (e.g., acute stress), possibly due to exposure to traumatic events; however, not all first responders exhibit symptoms to the same degree. Positive and negative attributes of working as a first responder (e.g., professional quality of life [QOL]) may contribute to vulnerability to or protection from distress. Additionally, beliefs about one’s ability to problem-solve and attain goals (e.g., self-efficacy) may ameliorate job-related difficulties and distress; this premise has not been tested. We examined the relations between professional QOL, self-efficacy, and acute stress in first responders. At the bivariate level, we hypothesized that self-efficacy and compassion satisfaction would be inversely related to acute stress, and burnout and secondary traumatic stress would be positively related to acute stress. At the multivariate level, three hypotheses were made: (1) higher selfefficacy would predict lower acute stress; (2) each professional QOL subscale would predict acute stress, such that higher compassion satisfaction would predict lower acute stress and higher secondary traumatic stress and burnout would predict greater acute stress; and, (3) self-efficacy would moderate the relation between each professional QOL subscale and acute stress. Our sample of 170 first responders were primarily male (73%, n = 124) and White (89.4%, n = 151) with a mean age of 34.75 years (SD = 8.79). Participants were recruited via workplace email and completed self-report measures: General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R; index of acute stress). In addition to bivariate analyses, we conducted multivariate regression analyses to examine the relation between QOL and trauma, and the moderating effect of self-efficacy. At the bivariate level, all correlations were as predicted. At the multivariate level, hypotheses were partially supported. Self-efficacy, compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout all significantly predicted acute stress. Self-efficacy significantly moderated the relation between compassion satisfaction and acute stress, β = 0.12, p = .03, accounting for a significant increase in the variance in acute stress, ΔR 2 = .03, F (1, 148) = 4.80, p = .03. However, self-efficacy did not moderate in other models. Better professional QOL and self-efficacy were related to acute stress in first responders. Further, the relation between compassion satisfaction and acute stress was dependent on level of self-efficacy; with greater competence, the beneficial relation between compassion satisfaction and distress, is strengthened. Therapeutically addressing professional QOL, specifically secondary traumatic events, and increasing self-efficacy (e.g., via Cognitive Behavioral Therapies), may reduce risk for adverse stress reactions in first responders.