Analysis and comparison of injury rate State Fire Brigade workers and Volunteer Fire Brigade members

Abstract

Background. Firefighter profession is characterized by a high level of risk due to the threat, mainly related to rescue and fire extinguishing, workouts, training and other actions. They result from the firefighters’s duties and affect the health and life of the firefighters on duty. The aim of the study was to assess the specificity of injuries in the State (SFB) and Volunteer Fire Brigade (VFB), assessment of the cumulation of health-related behaviors based on the Modified Inventory of Behaviors by Juszczynski, and the effect of the cumulated behaviors on the injury rate, both in the State and Volunteer Fire Brigades. Material and methods. The sample included the occupationally active firefighters from the Volunteer Fire Brigade in the Opole and Lower Silesia voivodeships. The applied approach involved the application of an anonymous questionnaire filled out by volunteers participating in the study. The questionnaire included basic data on their service (State or Volunteer Fire Brigade), age, gender and the presence or absence of contusions, and a possible form of treatment to be applied. Moreover, the Modified Inventory of Health-Related Behaviors by Juszczynski was applied. The questionnaire contained 18 statements describing health-related behaviors. Results. The comparison of the results corresponding to physical activity among the firefighters from the State and Volunteer Fire Brigade indicates that all the firefighters from the State Fire Brigade were physically active. In the case of the Volunteer Fire Brigade (VFB) there were 20 firefighters including 6 firefighters who did not practice any form of physical activity. In State Fire Brigade (SFB) there were 29 firefighters who had sustained contusion and 5 healthy ones. In both groups, the subjects most often sustained contusions while performing other types of physical activity than rescue and fire fighting actions. The majority of firefighters (16 in SFB and 11 in VFB) sustained joint sprain. Despite the numerous fire extinguishing interventions, the cases of burns poisoning are rare. The results also suggest that the surveyed firefighters neglect the recommended dietary habits and rest. Conclusions. 1. The results indicate no statistically significant differences between SFB and VFB membership and the circumstances of injuries sustained. 2. The membership in SFG and VFB has an effect on undertaking physical activities, however, it has no effect on injuries/contusions. 3. Neither SFB nor VFB firefighters believe that correct eating habits and rational rest are important.