Abstract
The purpose of this study was to utilize community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods to identify behaviors that may increase the exposure rates of firefighters to carcinogens and other occupational hazards. Key informant interviews and focus groups were conducted as part of a larger study that included exposure assessments at fire stations, in fire engines, and in personal vehicles. A purposive sample of five fire chiefs and leaders of the firefighter association was chosen, and these individuals were selected to participate in interviews. Unstructured interviews explored issues related to firefighter exposures and occupational hazards. Three focus groups were conducted over a three-month period. Following the focus groups, survey questions emphasizing the following three aspects of firefighting were developed: exposure to airborne smoke contaminants during fire suppression, accumulated exposure on turnout gear after fire suppression, and exposure to airborne contaminants at the fire departments. The use of community-based participatory research can be very beneficial, especially when conducting research with a group that may be hard to reach or have misgivings regarding researchers. By utilizing this approach in the current study, researchers were able to partner with a community that may be hard to reach and gain buy-in from community leadership.
Highlights
Based on information obtained from the facilitated focus groups, a survey instrument was developed that focused on three aspects of firefighting: exposure to airborne smoke contaminants during fire suppression, accumulated exposure on turnout gear after fire suppression, and exposure to airborne contaminants at the fire department
Issues of exposure to airborne smoke contaminants during fire suppression, accumulated exposure on turnout gear after fire suppression, and exposure to airborne contaminants at the fire departments were explored during the academic–community health partnership meetings
This finding is consistent with other studies, which have identified that the primary health concern among firefighter is the development of cancer [26]
Summary
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were approximately 1,115,000 firefighters in the United States (U.S.) in 2018. Found that “training in participatory methods is needed to protect knowledge and emergency management” while strengthening the community and more efficiently carrying out emergency response [19] Based on these and other findings, CBPR was the chosen research approach for the research plan because firefighters are disproportionally affected by certain types of cancer, and there was a desire to develop a community collaboration that would address these health issues from various perspectives. Volunteer and rural firefighters have been shown to be more difficult to engage in research, as evidenced by the limited studies in the literature This rationale was used to determine the need for a research approach that included substantial community involvement [13–19].
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