Abstract Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of lower back pain in the Greater Stockholm Fire Brigade.   MethodA web-based survey was designed and sent to all operational personnel within the Greater Stockholm Fire Brigade, a total of 530 people. The survey was not validity or reliability tested. The questions in the questionnaire had certain response options and had been modified according to the age group, number of years in the profession, and modified on a validated and reliable questionnaire, the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire. To strengthen the study's internal validity, a pilot study was conducted. For the statistical analysis, the statistical program SPSS was used and the result was analyzed with Spearman's non-parametric tests and Chisquare-test.   Results A total of 66% of the operating staff responded to the web-based survey, of which 79% reported having lower back pain in the past 12 months. There was not a correlation between lower back pain and age or number of years in the profession. Correlation were found in lower back pain and experienced adverse effects at work (p <0.05). A total of 11 % had reported absence from work due to lower back pain in the past year, and a total of 32% had applied for health care. The most sought after caregivers were naprapaths or chiropractors (p <0.05).   Conclusions: The study shows that the majority of operational personnel in The Greater Stockholm Fire Brigade reported lower back pain over the last 12 months. The result of the study showed no correlation between lower back pain and age or number of years within the profession. There was a correlation between lower back pain and negative impact on the work. There was also a correlation between lower back pain and absence from work. Naprapaths or chiropractors were the most sought caregivers at lower back pain cases. Future studies should include additional factors and causes that affect the presence of lower back pain. / Abstrakt Syfte Syftet med studien var att undersöka förekomsten av ländryggsbesvär inom Storstockholms brandförsvar. Metod En webbaserad enkät utformades och skickades ut till all operativ personal inom Storstockholms brandförsvar, totalt 530 personer. Enkäten var inte validitets- eller reliabilitetstestad. Frågorna i enkäten hade bestämda svarsalternativ och hade modifierats efter urvalsgruppens ålder, antal år i yrket samt utifrån ett validerat och reliabelt frågeformulär, Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire. För att stärka studiens interna validitet gjordes en pilotstudie. Till den statistiska analysen användes programmet SPSS och resultatet analyserades med Spearmans icke parametriska test samt Chitvåtestet. Resultat Totalt 66 % av den operativa personalen besvarade den webbaserade enkäten och av dessa angav 79 % att de upplevt ländryggsbesvär någon gång under de senaste 12 månaderna. Det fanns inget samband mellan ländryggsbesvär och ålder eller antal år i yrket. Samband fanns vid ländryggsbesvär och upplevd negativ påverkan i arbetet (p<0.05). Totalt 11 % hade någon gång under det senaste året rapporterat frånvaro från arbetet på grund av ländryggsbesvär. Totalt 32 % hade under de senaste 12 månaderna sökt vårdgivare för sina ländryggsbesvär. De mest sökta vårdgivarna var naprapater eller kiropraktorer (p<0.05). Slutsats Studien påvisar att majoriteten av den operativa personalen inom Storstockholms brandförsvar upplevt ländryggsbesvär under de senaste 12 månaderna. Studiens resultat visade inget samband mellan ländryggsbesvär och ålder eller antal år inom yrket. Samband fanns vid ländryggsbesvär och upplevd negativ påverkan i arbetet samt vid frånvaro från arbetet. Naprapater eller kiropraktorer var de mest sökta vårdgivarna vid ländryggsbesvär. Framtida studier bör inkludera fler faktorer och orsaker som påverkar förekomsten av ländryggsbesvär.

Les sapeurs-pompiers (SP) ont pour activité principale la gestion de situations dynamiques, qu'il s'agisse d'interventions courantes, de sinistres ou de crises. Les SP interviennent constamment en équipe. Pour pouvoir analyser leur activité lors d’une gestion de crise, il s'avère donc nécessaire de comprendre le fonctionnement d'une équipe et de ses déterminants. Ce travail de thèse porte sur la gestion de crise chez les SP et poursuit l’objectif d’identifier les facteurs qui déterminent l’efficacité des équipes dans ces situations. Les facteurs considérés sont différents processus d’équipe mais également des variables « psychosociales ». Nous examinons l'hypothèse générale selon laquelle les éléments qui déterminent l’efficacité des équipes lors de gestion de crises se retrouvent en partie dans la gestion de sinistres et d’interventions courantes. Trois études ont été réalisées. La première a porté sur la gestion d’interventions courantes en situation réelle. Il s’agissait d’interventions en Véhicule de Secours et d’Assistance aux Victimes (VSAV). La seconde étude a consisté à analyser, en situation simulée, la gestion de sinistre en Lot de Sauvetage et Protection Contre les Chutes (LSPCC). Enfin, la dernière étude portait sur la simulation d’une gestion de crise, plus précisément un feu dans le métro. Les principaux résultats ont montré que, quel que soit le type d’intervention, les processus d’équipe (la communication, les interactions émotionnelles et les adaptations) ont un effet sur l’efficacité des équipes SP. La motivation semble être indirectement liée à l’efficacité des équipes par l’intermédiaire du processus d’équipe. Cependant, bien que les variables qui déterminent l’efficacité des équipes SP soient les mêmes dans les trois études, ce ne sont pas toujours les mêmes modalités qui interviennent ou qui sont déterminantes. La gestion de crise présente notamment des spécificités en termes de processus d’équipe. Ces études confirment l’intérêt de prendre en compte à la fois des variables psychosociales et des processus d’équipe pour comprendre ce qui détermine l’efficacité des SP. Elles permettent également de préconiser des actions en termes de formation notamment. Ces actions sont susceptibles de soutenir l’amélioration continue de l’efficacité des équipes de SP et de favoriser la prise en compte de certaines variables psychosociales au sein des SDIS. / The main activity of firefighters is the management of dynamic situations, whether common interventions, accidents, or crises. They are constantly working in teams. Therefore, to analyze their activity in a crisis management situation, it is necessary to understand how they function as a team and the determinants of the team. This thesis focuses on firefighters’ crisis management, and its purpose is to identify the factors that determine the efficiency of teams in crisis situations. The factors considered are various team processes and psychosocial variables. We examine the general hypothesis that the elements that determine team effectiveness in crisis management can be found in part within the handling of common interventions and accidents. Three studies were conducted. The first focused on the management of common interventions in real situations, which were observed in the first response vehicle of a fire department. The second study analyzed how simulated excavation rescues were conducted. The final study involved the crisis management of a simulated subway fire. Key results showed that team processes (communication, emotional interactions, and adaptations) have an effect on team effectiveness, regardless of the kind of intervention. Motivation seems to be indirectly related to team effectiveness through team processes. However, although the variables that determine team effectiveness are the same, they are not always involved in the same way. Crisis management, in particular, shows specific features in terms of team processes. These studies confirm the value of taking into account both psychosocial variables and team processes to understand what determines the effectiveness of firefighter teams. They also help recommend specific actions in training programs. These actions are likely to contribute to continuous improvement in the effectiveness of firefighter teams and promote taking psychosocial variables into account within firefighter structures.

This thesis attempts to predict daily number of firefighter incidents in the Central Bohemia Region and in the Region of Hradec Králové to improve firefighter shift planning. The analysis is based on a dataset of firefighter incidents from the period between the years 2008 and 2012. Econometric models, capturing yearly and weekly patterns and weather impact were estimated and used for long-term prediction. The first part of the thesis provides a description of tests applied to residuals and other econometric tests used in this study. Then linear regression is applied to model weather impact and effects of days of week and months of year. In the next part regression with AR errors, (S)ARMA models and regression with (S)ARMA errors are estimated. All these models are compared according to properties of residuals and out-of-sample mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The most accurate models predict daily number of incidents two months ahead with MAPE slightly above 20% which is considerably better than the benchmark Holt-Winters method. Regression models with (S)ARMA errors produce relatively accurate long-term forecasts and its error terms are uncorrelated. Therefore, they can be considered suitable for long-term prediction of firefighter incidents.

Les tâches quotidiennes exercées par les sapeurs-pompiers (SP) peuvent induire d’importantes contraintes musculo-squelettiques, des risques cardiovasculaires, du burnout et des blessures. L’objectif de ce travail doctoral est de caractériser la blessure des SP français et d’analyser l’influence de la pratique d’activité physique AP), du burnout, des stratégies de coping, des traits de personnalité, et des buts d’accomplissement dans l’occurrence des blessures. Nous défendons la thèse selon laquelle la blessure des SP français serait expliquée à la fois par des facteurs psychologiques et physiologiques. Au travers de quatre études expérimentales, les principaux résultats obtenus indiquent que l’entorse de la cheville est la blessure majeure dans cette population. Même si les missions des SP sont dangereuses et variées, les blessures surviennent paradoxalement au cours des heures de pratique de l’AP pendant les jours de garde. De plus, le nombre d’heures d’AP total pratiqué par semaine est associé aux blessures. Nous observons également que les performances réalisées au Y-balance test, au « weight bearing lunge test » sont prédictives de l’entorse de la cheville. Même si nos investigations permettent de mettre en évidence que la blessure est à la fois causée par des facteurs psychologiques (e.g., burnout) et physiologiques, la pratique de l’AP, obligatoire et nécessaire chez les SP, demeure paradoxalement le plus grand pourvoyeur d’accident de travail / Daily tasks of firefighters may induce significant musculoskeletal constraints, cardiovascular risks, burnout and injuries. The aim of this doctoral work was to characterize the specific injuries of French firefighters, and to analyze influence of physical activity (PA), burnout, coping strategies, personality traits, and achievement goal in this injury occurrence. We hypothesize that injuries of French firefighters would be explained by both psychological and physiological factors. Through four experimental studies, the main results indicate that ankle sprain is the major injury in this population. Although SP missions are dangerous and varied, paradoxically injuries occur during the hours of PA practice in day guard. In addition, the total number of hours AP practiced per week is associated with injury. We also observed that the performances achieved in the Y-balance test, the "weight bearing lunge test" are predictive of ankle sprains. Although our investigations have highlighted that the injury was caused by psychological (e.g., burnout) and physiological factors, practicing sessions of AP is compulsory and required in this job, and paradoxically remains the largest provider of occupational incident

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / Municipal firefighters face a number of risks and much stress at work. In the South African context, the quality of work life (QWL) is impacted considerably by high stress levels and work-related demands. Currently, firefighting organisations face serious challenges that hamper the QWL among municipal firefighters. These challenges include physical and mental challenges, and the element of work which negatively affects the job performance among the firefighters. The primary research objective has been to identify the key factors that impact on the QWL of municipal firefighters in the Western Cape, South Africa. In addition, this study explores a common approach for measuring the QWL and determining an effective way to maintain a better work life for the firefighters. The quantitative research method was employed. This study measured and analysed the key factors that had impacted on the QWL of municipal firefighters in the Western Cape, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a group of 120 municipal firefighters from the Goodwood Fire Department. This study used the ethical principles of informed consent, the right to privacy and honesty, and confidentiality/anonymity in the research process. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings and results provide insight into and guidance to management and employees in a practical way to improve the QWL among municipal firefighters. The fire department should upgrade the QWL of its workers so as to hold them and get its very own vital needs. The fire department should develop and keep up QWL programmes. Support from ranking employees are basic to a useful QWL programme. In addition, unmistakable upper level management contribution is one of the critical factors in the procedure accomplishment.

The diploma thesis deals with the status of volunteer fire fighters from the point of view of social capital development. Because of that subject it belongs to studies exploring phenomenon volunteering. Association of volunteer fire fighters is traditional volunteer organization and its success and expansion in the individualistic present society are the basic questions of the study. The answers on the questions connected with unique status of volunteer fire fighters between Czech volunteers were searching by using analysis of collective social capital. Importance of traditions, social networks and status of volunteer fire fighters in their communities were revealed by quantitative and qualitative approaches. It seems that the main sense of existence of volunteer fire departments is not only the protection of people against fires and accidents but also helping communities to maintain their collective social life. By this action are volunteer fire fighters instrumental in keeping cohesion of local citizens and in social capital development.

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.

ABSTRACT A REAL TIME INDOOR NAVIGATION AND MONITORING SYSTEM FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED MAY 2011 SIDDHESH RAJAN GANDHI M.S. E.C.E, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Aura Ganz There has been a widespread growth of technology in almost every facet of day to day life. But there are still important application areas in which technology advancements have not been implemented in a cost effective and user friendly manner. Such applications which we will address in this proposal include: 1) indoor localization and navigation of firefighters during rescue operations and 2) indoor localization and navigation for the blind and visually impaired population. Firefighting is a dangerous job to perform as there can be several unexpected hazards while rescuing victims. Since the firefighters do not have any knowledge about the internal structure of the fire ridden building, they will not be able to find the location of the EXIT door, a fact that can prove to be fatal. We introduce an indoor location tracking and navigation system (FIREGUIDE) using RFID technology integrated with augmented reality. FIREGUIDE assists the firefighters to find the nearest exit location by providing the navigation instructions to the exits as well as an Augmented Reality view of the location and direction of the exits. The system also presents the Incident Commander the current firefighter’s location superimposed on a map of the building floor. We envision that the FIREGUIDE system will save a significant number of firefighters and victims’ lives. Blind or visually impaired people find it difficult to navigate independently in both outdoor and indoor environments. The outdoor navigation problem can be solved by using systems that have GPS support. But indoor navigation systems for the blind or visually impaired are still a challenge to conquer, given the requirements of low cost and user friendly operation. In order to enhance the perception of indoor and unfamiliar environments for the blind and visually-impaired, as well as to aid in their navigation through such environments, we propose a novel approach that provides context–aware navigation services. INSIGHT uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and tagged spaces (audio landmarks), enabling a ubiquitous computing system with contextual awareness of its users while providing them persistent and context-aware information. We present INSIGHT system that supports a number of unique features such as: a) Low deployment and maintenance cost; b) Scalability, i.e. we can deploy the system in very large buildings; c) An on-demand system that does not overwhelm the user, as it offers small amounts of information on demand; and d) Portability and ease-of-use, i.e., the custom handheld device carried by the user is compact and instructions are received audibly.

Exposomics aims to characterize the totality of exposures over the lifespan, and their impact on human health. Currently, chronic exposure to harmful chemicals from air pollution and/or tobacco smoke, along with a suboptimal diet, remain leading causes for preventable mortality and morbidity worldwide. As a result, new analytical methods are needed to measure robust biomarkers of smoke exposure and food intake for improved risk assessment of clinical events. This thesis aims to develop high throughput methods to rapidly quantify urinary biomarkers of environmental smoke in high-risk occupations, and diverse global populations using multisegment injection-capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (MSI-CE-MS) technology. Chapter II outlines an inter-laboratory method comparison for the targeted analysis of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (HP) when using gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on urine samples collected from firefighters. This work revealed the critical role of incomplete enzymatic deconjugation on method bias and underreporting of true smoke exposures. Chapter III introduces a high throughput MSI-CE-MS/MS method (< 3 min/sample) to directly analyze the intact glucuronide conjugate of HP (HP-G) in urine without complex pre-column enzyme deconjugation and derivatization procedures. Importantly, firefighters deployed under emergency conditions at the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire had creatinine normalized HP-G concentrations below the biological exposure index, likely caused by delays in urine collection under emergency conditions, at early stages of firefighting. Chapter IV extends from targeted biomonitoring of occupational smoke exposure, towards elucidating the relative risk of tobacco smoking in an international cohort of participants (n=1000) from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. Comprehensive analysis of nicotine metabolites in urine by MSI-CE-MS allowed for reliable determination of the total nicotine equivalent and nicotine metabolic ratio as robust indicators of recent tobacco smoke exposure and nicotine dependence, respectively. This method also offers a more accurate approach for biochemical verification of smoking status in large-scale epidemiological studies that are prone to social desirability and gender bias when relying on standardized questionnaires. Lastly, Chapter V employs a nontargeted metabolomics workflow using MSI-CE-MS to identify urinary metabolites that may serve as objective dietary biomarkers of food intake in participants across 14 countries from the PURE cohort. A panel of robust and generalizable metabolites were validated for biomonitoring of complex dietary exposures, that may further exacerbate the hazards of tobacco smoking. In summary, this thesis contributes high throughput analytical tools for characterizing the human urine exposome to better decipher the roles of smoke exposure, and suboptimal diet on chronic disease burden among diverse populations and regions worldwide. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.