This thesis sought to understand reasons for noncompliant respondents and ineffective leadership in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) by Texas public safety training officers. Research has been conducted on the policies and their implications for NIMS, organizational culture and its impact on NIMS, and the hierarchy network of the Incident Command System (ICS). However, research evaluating the attitudes and perceptions regarding the effectiveness of NIMS is scarce. Training officers from rural fire departments, emergency medical services, and law enforcement agencies were the population for this study (n=33). The results of this study have implications for combined fire department, emergency medical services, and law enforcement training (interoperability), simplification of the management structure, and a mentoring program. This study should be explored further in an urban setting, based on this model. This study showed that respondents agreed that rural emergency responders tend to be noncompliant with NIMS. Respondents mentioned that rural emergency responders disagree with the effectiveness of NIMS. This study showed that a correlation occurred between the effectiveness of NIMS and the number of times a respondent was involved in a formal NIMS incident command. The following recommendations were made based on the findings and conclusions of this study. Researchers should continue to look at what public safety training officers believe affects the adaptability of NIMS. Training officers should consider contributing to the future NIMS curriculum. Training officers should focus on interoperability issues through increased field exercises. Research should be conducted to determine what improvements to curriculum effect future NIMS compliance. Further research should be conducted on the effectiveness of individual compliance, and achievement.

Needlestick injuries (NSIs) are a recognized risk for occupationally-related transmission of bloodborne pathogens (BBP). The occurrence of NSIs and BBP exposures among firefighters (FFs) and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel has been documented. The purposes of this study were: 1) to define the problem of NSI among FFs and EMS personnel in a suburban fire department (FD) and identify practices and factors that influence sharps use and safety; 2) design and implement and intervention to promote safer sharps device usage; and 3) to measure the effectiveness of the intervention among FFs and EMS personnel. A multi-phase, mixed methods approach was used that included a diagnosis phase that utilized a mixed methods exploratory design, an intervention period, and a quantitative evaluation phase that used a before and after evaluation design. In the diagnosis phase, data regarding sharps device practices were obtained through a count of discarded sharps devices. Qualitative data regarding sharps practices and factors which influenced those practice were obtained via focus groups. The PRECEDE/PROCEED model (PPM) was used as the theoretical framework for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of an intervention to increase the occurrence of safer sharps device behaviors and decrease the frequency of riskier sharps device behaviors. The evaluation phase included a post-intervention sharps count and a post-intervention survey to assess changes in sharps practices and the impact of the intervention. During the baseline sharps count, 2743 sharps devices were counted and classified according to pre-established categories of safer or risky behaviors for NSI. Altered safety devices on IV stylets were the highest count for unsafe behaviors (n=105), followed by recapped traditional needles (n= 53). A statistically significant increase in risky behaviors was observed in discarded sharps from engines, as opposed to ambulances, among all sharps devices combined (p=0.000) and IV stylets (p=0.000). When comparing advanced life support (ALS) medications to all other medications, a statistically significant increase in unsafe behaviors occurred among all sharps devices combined (p=0.000) and prefilled syringes (p=0.000). Input from eight focus groups of firefighters allowed for identification of multiple themes which guided the development of an intervention. The intervention included distribution of a hands-on training kit and booklet, expansion of an existing required BBP training, and posters to increase awareness regarding NSI prevention. In the evaluation phase, a total of 2178 sharps devices were counted and classified in a post-intervention sharps count. Altered safety devices on IV stylets were the highest count of unsafe behaviors (n=50). Recapped traditional needles were the second highest count of unsafe behaviors (n=27), but experienced an 18.7% drop in frequency when compared to baseline. When comparing riskier behaviors to the pre-intervention baseline sharps count, statistically significant decreases in risky behaviors were observed in all sharps devices combined ( 2=25.71, p=0.000), IV stylets (2=16.87, p=0.000), and traditional needles (=5.07, p=0.024). A post-intervention survey, consisting of 15 Likert scale questions, was returned by 165 out of 383 active field personnel (41.3%). Results indicated high frequencies of strongly agree and somewhat agree responses regarding risk perception; the importance of using safer needle devices; the impact of the intervention on safer needle practices and sharps safety awareness. Critical predisposing, reinforcing, enabling, and environmental factors which influenced sharps device practices were identified. This study identified factors and practices which influenced unsafe sharps device behaviors. Due to the statistically significant decreases in risky behavior in the post-intervention sharps count and the positive responses in the post-intervention survey, it can be concluded that the intervention did positively impact sharps device behavior and reduced the risk of NSI. The implications of the study are numerous and include a need to explore these practices and factors at other fire departments and EMS agencies, address gaps in regulations; promote research targeting FFs and EMS personnel in regard to NSI, and promote a nationwide effort to prevent NSI among emergency responders.

Firefighters’ coats and pants, referred to as firefighters’ protective clothing in this research, are made of similar fabrics and often include three layers: an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal liner. Minimum requirements of firefighters’ protective clothing performance have been clearly established by various national and international standards for new clothing to ensure the reasonable safety of firefighters. However, there are no clear guidelines on the requirements for continuing performance of firefighters’ protective clothing. In general, the protection offered by firefighters’ protective clothing is expected to deteriorate over time, but it is still uncertain how destructive different exposures are and how long a piece of firefighters’ protective clothing can continue to protect a firefighter to an acceptable level. Non-destructive techniques are preferable in order to investigate how the performance of protective clothing may change with time since this allows firefighters’ protective clothing to return to service after a test. These non-destructive methods, which could be used to monitor the level of deterioration in firefighters’ protective clothing performance and to make decisions on retirement of individual pieces of protective clothing, would be extremely useful for fire departments in Canada and other countries. Thermal exposure is an important factor in ageing of firefighters’ protective clothing during firefighting operations. Outer shell and moisture barrier specimens made of common fabrics used in construction of firefighters’ protective clothing, and of different colours, were exposed to different levels of thermal exposure simulated using a cone calorimeter in single and multiple stages. Tensile strength of outer shell specimens, and tear strength, water vapour transmission rate, and water penetration pressure of moisture barrier specimens, which are critical aspects of performance of firefighters’ protective clothing, were measured. In order to explain the changes in performance after thermal exposure, the temperature profile of specimens during each thermal exposure was recorded. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis for each specimen material was carried out and images of the surface of specimens were obtained using scanning electron microscope. The test results demonstrated that tensile strength of outer shell specimens deteriorated faster than other aspects of performance. Two non-destructive techniques, colour measurement and near infrared spectroscopy, were implemented to correlate tensile strength of outer shell specimens with discoloration and reflectance spectrum. Two types of correlation between tensile strength and colour change were identified among the tested fabrics, depending on the initial fabric colour, which could be a basis to develop numerical models to predict tensile strength of outer shell specimens. Linear predictive equations were developed using a numerical code based on regression analysis, which correlated tensile strength with reflectance of outer shell specimens within the wavelength region of 1500-2500 nm. A three-variable model predicted tensile strength of thermally aged test specimens, the tensile strength of which were 600 N and higher, with a relative error of up to 10%. For test specimens with tensile strength of about 300 N, the relative error was 55%. The difference in error percentage was related to a gap in training data points for the model within the tensile strength range of 300 - 600 N.

This study examined the metabolic and thermal responses of 14 firefighters during four repeated work bouts of treadmill exercise in a thermoneutral laboratory, working at an intensity similar to typical firefighting tasks (30-34 ml·kg-1·min-1), while wearing firefighting protective equipment and breathing from a self-contained breathing apparatus. Each work bout consisted of treadmill walking at 93.8 m·min-1 and 8% grade for 8 min followed by 4 min of passive rest. Oxygen consumption remained unchanged between all four work bouts (p>0.05). Ventilation increased significantly (p<0.05) during the first three work bouts from 57.1 (±3.1) to 68.7 (±2.7) L·min-1. Percent heart rate reserve increased significantly (p<0.05) during each work bout, from 76.0 (±1.8) % HRR during the first to 97.2 (±1.1) % HRR during the fourth work bout. Core temperature increased significantly (p<0.05) during each work bout from 36.87 (±0.07) to 38.87 (±0.10) °C from the first to the fourth work bout, as did some of the psychophysiological measures.

This study examined the metabolic and thermal responses of 14 firefighters during four repeated work bouts of treadmill exercise in a thermoneutral laboratory, working at an intensity similar to typical firefighting tasks (30-34 ml·kg-1·min-1), while wearing firefighting protective equipment and breathing from a self-contained breathing apparatus. Each work bout consisted of treadmill walking at 93.8 m·min-1 and 8% grade for 8 min followed by 4 min of passive rest. Oxygen consumption remained unchanged between all four work bouts (p>0.05). Ventilation increased significantly (p<0.05) during the first three work bouts from 57.1 (±3.1) to 68.7 (±2.7) L·min-1. Percent heart rate reserve increased significantly (p<0.05) during each work bout, from 76.0 (±1.8) % HRR during the first to 97.2 (±1.1) % HRR during the fourth work bout. Core temperature increased significantly (p<0.05) during each work bout from 36.87 (±0.07) to 38.87 (±0.10) °C from the first to the fourth work bout, as did some of the psychophysiological measures.

Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth in members of fire rescue service (Abstract) Firefighters often work under circumstances that endanger their lives or physical integrity and witness traumatic experiences of other people while managing effects of devastating emergency situations. As a result of this exposure they can suffer from trauma and stress related disorders. However, traumatic experiences may also offer potential for growth. This thesis is aimed at posttraumatic stress - symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth in members of fire rescue service. The main objective is widening of existing posttraumatic research in professional rescuers with findings from multinational sample of firefighters. Sample consisted of firefighters from Czech Republic (N=302) and six other European countries (N=2241). Study was carried out through questionnaire-based data gathering. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress were assessed via self-rating measure Impact of event scale - revised, posttraumatic growth via Posttraumatic growth inventory - short form. Comparison of Czech and European firefighters was made with the premise that among members of this professional group there would be found no differences. Subtle dissimilarities were, however, observed in several measured...

Submitted by GIOVANNA CESAR SILVA (lp_gi@hotmail.com) on 2016-01-29T14:02:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 1Dissertação- Giovanna- Corrigida pós defesa REVISADO BIBLIOTECA.pdf: 1218313 bytes, checksum: 3a81f92de470a539200487ed220e181e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-02-02T12:18:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_gc_me_mar.pdf: 1218313 bytes, checksum: 3a81f92de470a539200487ed220e181e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-02T12:18:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_gc_me_mar.pdf: 1218313 bytes, checksum: 3a81f92de470a539200487ed220e181e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A exposição cotidiana ao ruído pode causar alterações auditivas. Os bombeiros são uma população de risco para essas alterações pois em seu cotidiano estão expostos a níveis elevados de pressão sonora. Implantar um Programa de Preservação Auditiva para esses profissionais é fundamental para promover sua saúde auditiva. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o nível de conhecimento e atitudes de bombeiros em relação a audição e a eficácia de um programa de preservação auditiva para esses profissionais. Este foi um estudo prospectivo, comparativo, de coorte contemporânea com corte transversal. O mesmo foi realizado junto a prontidão do 10º grupamento do Corpo de Bombeiros. Compuseram a amostra 20 bombeiros que responderam o questionário em suas versões A e B e participaram do programa de preservação auditiva. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste t-Student e da Correlação de Pearson. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 0,05. Ao analisar os resultados da versão A do questionário, observou-se que os profissionais apresentaram um bom nível de conhecimento a respeito da temática abordada e ao comparar os resultados apresentados nos questionários, versão A e B, aplicados antes e após o programa, verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significante para as questões 7 e 12, o que demonstrou mudança positiva no nível de informação após a participação desses profissionais nas ações educativas. A comparação entre os valores médios dos escores por área temática nos questionários, em suas versões A e B, demonstrou diferença significante para as áreas 2, 4 e 7. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que os bombeiros apresentaram um bom nível de conhecimento e atitudes em relação a prevenção de perdas auditivas e, a avaliação do programa mostrou mudanças significativas no conhecimento dos profissionais em algumas áreas temáticas. / Daily exposure to noise can cause hearing loss. Firefighters are a population at risk for these pathology, because in their daily lives, are exposed to high sound pressure levels. So implement a Hearing Conservation Program for these professionals is essential to promote their hearing health. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes of firefighters about hearing and the effectiveness of a hearing conservation program for these professionals. This was a prospective, comparative, cross-sectional cohort study. It was developed with professionals of readiness of the 10th Fire Department Company. The sample consisted of 20 firefighters who responded to a questionnaire, versions A and B, and took part of educational activities. Statistical analysis was performed using t-Student test and Pearson's correlation and a significance level of 0,05 was adopted. The analyses of the results of the questionnaire, version A, showed that the professionals had a good level of knowledge about the themes discussed. The comparison of the results presented in the questionnaires, version A and B, demonstrated statistically significant difference for questions 7 and 12, which showed a positive change in the level of information after their participation in educational activities. The association between the mean values of the scores by theme area in the questionnaires in their versions A and B, showed significant differences for the areas 2, 4 and 7. The results demonstrated that firefighters had a good level of knowledge and attitudes regarding hearing loss prevention, and the program evaluation showed significant changes in the knowledge of professionals in some theme areas.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mayco Nunes.pdf: 227414 bytes, checksum: 04bbd5d5d8708c22a664e0d1cbe568cc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Aims to assess the correlation between stress and pain myofascial firefighters in the military battalion of Florianopolis. The study was conducted with the participation of 81 firefighters who participated on a voluntary basis to two questionnaires: the questionnaire International Physical Activity (IPAQ-6) and the inventory of symptoms of stress for Adults of Lipp, duly authorized. The first used to monitor whether all had an active lifestyle and the second to measure the level of stress. The pain myofascial was monitored through a physiotherapeutic assessment made by the same appraiser. The results showed that 27 (33.33%) of 81 firefighters from practitioners of physical activity had pain myofascial (dorsal region, the most affected). Of those with pain myofascial, 21 had psychological stress at the stage of resistance in order concomitant with a total of 24 firefighters stressed. The data demonstrated through the test of Chi-Square, there is a strong relationship between the occurrence of pain and stress myofascial (p <&#945;, p <0.05). It was concluded that the prevalence of firefighters stressed the activities is considering running. Physical activity was not effective in 29.62% of the subjects of the study. In addition to detect occurrence of a strong link between the pain myofascial connection with the situation of psychological stress. / Objetiva-se avaliar a correlação entre estresse e dor miofascial em bombeiros militares do batalhão de Florianópolis. O estudo foi realizado com a participação de 81 bombeiros que participaram de forma voluntária a dois questionários: o questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ-6) e o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp, devidamente autorizado. O primeiro serviu para controlar se todos tinham um estilo de vida ativo e o segundo para aferir o nível de estresse. A dor miofascial foi monitorada através de uma avaliação fisioterapêutica feita por um mesmo avaliador. Os resultados demonstraram que 27 (33.33%) dos 81 dos bombeiros praticantes de atividade física apresentaram dor miofascial (região dorsal, a mais acometida). Daqueles com dor miofascial, 21 apresentavam estresse psicológico na fase de resistência de forma concomitante em um total de 24 bombeiros estressados. Os dados demonstraram através do Teste do Qui-Quadrado de que há uma forte relação entre a ocorrência de dor miofascial e estresse (p <&#945;; p< 0,05). Conclui-se de que a prevalência de bombeiros estressados é considerando as atividades que executam. A atividade física não se mostrou eficaz em 29,62% dos sujeitos do estudo. Além de detectar uma forte ligação da ocorrência ligação entre a dor miofascial com a situação de estresse psicológico.

A profissão de bombeiro é considerada uma das profissões mais exigentes. Trata-se de uma profissão de risco pela natureza das suas funções, onde são confrontados, na sua prática diária, com situações limite, muitas vezes envolvendo graves danos pessoais e materiais, em função das quais os recursos emocionais disponíveis são postos à prova de forma dramática. Estas situações, pela sua frequência são eventualmente indutoras de elevados níveis de stress e, quando continuadas, sem estratégias de enfrentamento adequadas, podem levar ao burnout. O presente estudo tem como propósito contribuir para um conhecimento mais aprofundado acerca destes profissionais, com o intuito de avaliar a percepção que tem sobre o stress no trabalho, assim como verificar a existência de hardiness e de quais estratégias de enfrentamento esta população adota para minimizar este stress percebido, na tentativa de não atingirem o burnout. Trata-se de um estudo de caráter descritivo, comparativo, de abordagem quali-quantitativa e transversal . A amostra foi composta por 132 bombeiros integrantes de um grupamento do Corpo de Bombeiros localizado em uma cidade da grande São Paulo. Foram utilizados os instrumentos Escala de Stress no Trabalho (EET), Escala de Stress Percebido (PSS-10), Maslach Inventory Burnout (MIB), Hardiness Scale (HS), Inventário de Estratégias de Coping de Folkman e Lazarus e um roteiro de questões semiestruturado para caracterização da população do estudo. Para cada bombeiro foi enviado o Termo de Responsabilidade com todos os dados pertinentes ao estudo, assim como o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido em duas vias, devendo retornar uma das vias juntamente ao restante dos instrumentos, sinalizando a aceitação em participar da pesquisa. A amostra foi predominantemente do sexo masculino (96,9%), com idade média de 37 anos, e com ensino médio completo (59%). Quanto à patente, a maior predominância foi de soldados (57%), em média com 14 anos de trabalho na corporação, e com 11 anos trabalhando no grupamento onde foi realizado o estudo. Os indivíduos apresentaram níveis moderados de stress percebido e stress no trabalho, assim como para todos os domínios de Coping, sendo a estratégia de enfrentamento focada no problema, a mais utilizada pela amostra. Nos três domínios do MIB, o nível alcançado pela amostra também se enquadra como moderado, denotando que esta população não está em burnout. Referente à investigação do Hardiness, os indivíduos apresentaram escores moderados em todos os três domínios, não caracterizando a presença de indivíduos hardy na amostra em questão. Conclui-se que, apesar da inexistência de indivíduos hardy, e mesmo mediante forte demanda psicológica, física e emocional, esta população utiliza estratégias de enfrentamento que evitam o burnout, o que também pode ser explicado pela imensa satisfação em exercerem uma profissão que denota tanta admiração e respeito, sendo este um fator protetor para o stress. / The profession of firefighters is considered one of the most demanding professions. This is a risky profession for their duties, which are confronted in their daily practice, with extreme situations, sometimes involving serious injury or damage, according to which the emotional resources available are put to the test so dramatic. These conditions, by their frequency are eventually induce high levels of stress and when continued without adequate coping strategies can lead to burnout. The present study aims to contribute to a deeper knowledge about these professionals, in order to evaluate the perception that it has on stress at work, as well as check for hardiness and coping strategies which adopts this population to minimize this perceived stress, in an attempt not reach burnout. This is a study of descriptive, comparative, qualitative and quantitative approach and cross. The sample consisted of 132 members of a group from firefighters from the Fire Department located in a city of Sao Paulo. We used the instruments at Work Stress Scale (TSE), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MIB), Hardiness Scale (HS), Coping Strategies Inventory of Folkman and Lazarus, and a script of questions semi-structured to characterize the study population. For each firefighter was sent to the disclaimer with all information pertinent to the study, as well as the Statement of Informed Consent in duplicate and shall return one of the routes along the rest of the instruments, signaling acceptance to participate in the research. A sample was predominantly male (96.9%), mean age 37 years, and completed high school (59%). As for the patent, the highest prevalence was of soldiers (57%), averaging 14 years working in the corporation, and with 11 years working in the group where the study was conducted. The subjects had moderate levels of perceived stress and stress at work, as well as all areas of Coping, and the coping strategy focused on the problem, the most used by the sample. In all three domains of the MIB, the level reached by the sample also fits as a moderate, indicating that this population is not burnout. Referring to the investigation of Hardiness, the subjects had moderate scores in all three areas, not characterizing the presence of individuals \"hardy\" in the sample in question. We conclude that, despite the lack of individuals \"hardy\" and even by strong demand psychological, physical and emotional, this population use coping strategies to prevent burnout, which can also be explained by the immense satisfaction in practicing a profession that denotes admiration and respect, which is a protective factor for stress.

Firefighters respond to a wide range of critical incidents in which they face exposure to multiple stressors. Previous studies have reported prevalence rates of various symptomatology and identified some risk factors for firefighters, but accord has not been reached across studies on the extent of vulnerability or resilience and potential predictors of each have not all been identified. Studies with firefighters in the United Kingdom are comparatively rare. The purpose of this series of studies was, therefore, to investigate the prevalence of PTSD symptomatology and that of its associated comorbid conditions (depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse) in UK firefighters. On the basis of a literature review, the role of thought control, counterfactual thinking and humour style in predicting symptoms was examined. Study I examined this together with the demographic, occupational, event-specific and cognitive factors associated with these conditions in a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of multiple exposure in firefighters. Results indicated that these firefireghters demonstrated high levels of resilience, recording relatively low rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse symptomatology. No DSM-IV Criterion A1 exposure variable independently predicted symptomatology of PTSD, but A2 responses of fear and helplessness predicted PTSD symptomatology, and A2 fear predicted alcohol misuse. Individual aspects of A1 exposure did predict symptomatology of depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse; one operating schedule predicted symptomatology of depression and anxiety; and both previous divorce and previous psychiatric diagnosis predicted symptomatology of alcohol misuse. Of the three cognitive predictors, nonreferent counterfactual thinking and self-defeating humour independently predicted higher levels of PTSD symptomatology, whilst self-enhancing humour predicted lower symptomatology of depression. Results were essentially the same in both regression models, indicating no difference between the predictive power of these cognitive constructs between the models where humour was used at work and when used with the person closest to the participant. Study 2 evaluated the same symptomatology in a longitudinal investigation of firefighters exposed to a single critical incident in which the casualty's life could not be saved, again addressing the cognitive factors of thought control strategies, counterfactual thinking and humour style. Results showed high levels of resilience with firefighters recording relatively low rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse symptomatology, although symptomatology of depression, anxiety and alcohol misuse increased over time for a small number. Factors associated with development of symptomatology were firefighter type and rank, A2 horror, body recovery, and the use of thought suppression and 'if only' counterfactuals). However, these were not long-lasting. Similarly, associations between depression/anxiety symptomatology and A2 helplessness; anxiety and previous psychiatric diagnosis also had a short term effect on symptoms. Those who were younger and who had not been involved in body handling had higher depression scores at T2 although the sample size was small and these results may be anomalies. Study 3 explored the firefighters' responses to the same critical incident in greater depth in order to draw out any aspects of it which caused distress and any factors which were found to be helpful in coping with such distress. This qualitative exploration was designed to identify the meaning attached to aspects of critical incidents and how firefighters individually experienced such a critical incident response in comparison with other critical incidents. Results showed positive emotions, professional pride and a strong sense of duty were expressed far more than 'negative' emotions, suggesting a high degree of resilience. Identification with the dying or dead is a marker for distress because meaning has been attributed to the event through recognition of the deceased's humanity. Dissonance arose because of the struggle between this recognition and the desire to protect colleagues and it appears that it is this dissonance which adversely affects those with responsibility for making decisions. Feelings of helplessness arose through operational limitations and are also a marker for distress. Avoidance techniques were utilised, but thought suppression was not identified as such, although the transposition of distressing images through humour was reported. Downward counterfactuals were reported more frequently than upward, and the latter related to decision making and operational difficulties. The type of humour commonly used is banter which includes 'taking the piss' out of colleagues and situations although it was not experienced the same way by all firefighters. The purpose of banter is to cope with the stressors inherent in the job of firefighting and to facilitate bonding through its use as a private language. This study identified three 'rules of banter': it is reciprocal, the timing of it is critical, and it has contextual restrictions. Adaptive banter may be expressed as the self-enhancing or affiliative styles of humour and maladaptive as self-defeating, or banter may itself be a separate style of humour. Together, the studies' findings show that these firefighters were resilient to exposure to a range of stressors but that suffering may be seen on a spectrum. This has implications for theory and further research, and for the development of psychoeducational interventions to increase resilience in those first responders who may be at risk of developing symptoms.