COMM120 W7 FINAL PROJECT BRANDON MONTE
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American Public University *
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Course
120
Subject
Communications
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
pptx
Pages
13
Uploaded by ColonelSeaLionPerson894
Brandon Monte
COMM120
Final Project
Professor Carol Scott
April 19, 2022
TOPIC
LINE OF DUTY DEATHS OF FIRE FIGHTERS DUE TO SUDDEN HEART ATTACK
Photo by NFPA.org
INTRODUCTION
All Fire Fighters are aware of the risks and dangers that come with the occupation. Some dangers associated with the job include smoke inhalation, hazardous material exposure, and emergency vehicle accidents during response. However, the most common killer of firefighters in the line of duty is not any of the previously mentioned hazards. Sudden Cardiac Arrest or heart attack is what most fire fighters are in danger of succumbing to. A study done from 1994 to 2004 by The New England Journal of Medicine found that 45% of line of duty deaths were due to heart disease. Firefighters are dying on the job from sudden cardiac arrest, but preventative measures by firefighters, fire service management, and other fire department agencies can dimmish these statistics in the future. The most significant factors that contribute to line of duty deaths by heart attack are age, poor diet, and lack of physical fitness or conditioning. Over 60 percent of firefighters are considered obese and unfortunately, that puts them at a higher risk for heart attack. Improvements in health and wellness programs for firefighters is step 1 to combatting the problem.
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HAZARDS RELATED TO THE JOB
With hazards such as
heat exhaustion, crush
injuries, suffocation, burns,
and trauma, sudden
cardiac arrest still far outweighs any dangers
associated with the job
.
BODY
The most significant factors that contribute to line of duty deaths by heart attack are age, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical fitness. Over 60 percent of firefighters are considered obese and unfortunately, that puts them at a higher risk for heart attack. Improvements in health and wellness programs for firefighters is step 1 to combatting the problem.
BODY
Much to our advantage, The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created a minimum fitness standard for all fire departments in the United States. This official document shows an in-depth description on what a good fitness program should look like. It even provides templates for fire departments to adopt to their own program. Unfortunately, these standards are not being implemented by Fire Service Management in many departments and the statistics prove that. Photo by NFPA.org
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BODY
Here is an example of a fitness assessment provided by the NFPA (National Association of Fire Protection.) Keep in mind this is just an example. Each fire department has the authority to create a health and wellness program that works best for them. Photo by NFPA.org
BODY
A productive health and wellness program should include multiple physical test that are related to the job. This test should be conducted annually. It is best to implement such test with no consequences. Instead of a pass or fail criteria, use it as a tool to see where personnel can improve on their weaknesses.
The test can include:
-Charged handline pulls
-Climbing stairs with or without tools
-Sledge hammer swings on tires.
-Rescue of an unconscious victim
Photo by ISFSI.org
BODY
Fire Service Management and Emergency Medical Service Directors could have a profound impact on this issue with more attention focused on the Medical evaluation, pre-employment physical, and annual physicals of firefighters. This could prevent line of duty deaths due to heart attack by evaluating employees for pre-existing heart conditions. It is common for firefighters to exhibit risk factors for heart attack or stroke during annual physicals. For example, If a firefighter were to have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, then the appropriate measure would be to declare them unfit for duty, for the time being, until they address the issue and get cleared for duty by another doctor.
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EDUCATION
No health and wellness program is complete without basic nutrition guidelines. Educating fire department personnel on good healthy eating practices should be prioritized. Training on the fire ground has proven to save lives during emergency situations. However, training firefighters how to prepare healthful meals in the kitchen has the potential to save even more lives. Photo by IAFF.org
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the number of line of duty deaths due to heart attack can be reduced with actions taken by Fire Service Management and Fire Firefighters themselves. These actions include taking personal accountability of each employee's health and wellness by implementing and participating in a strategic health and wellness program that mimics the one outlined by NFPA 1583 Health and Wellness Standards. Annual medical examinations, mandated fitness programs, and nutrition education are the building blocks that will combat the crisis of heart attacks among firefighters.
WORKS CITED
NFPA 1500: Standard On Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program: 2018
. NFPA, 2018. Hard DL;Marsh SM;Merinar TR;Bowyer ME;Miles ST;Loflin ME;Moore PH; “Summary of Recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, 2006-
2014.” Journal of Safety Research
, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30876513/. D;, Patterson PD;Smith KJ;Hostler. “Cost-Effectiveness of Workplace Wellness to Prevent Cardiovascular Events among U.S. Firefighters.” BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27871247/. Garcia, Lucas A. Fire Training Fatalities and Firefighter Adherence to National Fire Protection Association Standards
. Walden University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2019, https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=7483&context=dissertations.
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IMAGE SITED
Chart slide 4 Divingian, Catherine. “Firefighter down! Sudden Cardiac Events and Risk Mitigation for Emergency Responders.” EMRA
, 11 Apr. 2019, https://www.emra.org/emresident/article/firefighter-down/. Image slide 6 NFPA.org
Image slide 8 ISFSI.org
Image slide 10 IAAF.org