Professional firefighters are exposed to a variety of injury hazards over the course of their occupation, including: extreme temperatures, toxic substances, strenuous physical labour, unstable structures, falling objects, extreme heights, violence and traumatic events. The purpose of this study is to describe the determinants of injury, disease and death among Canadian firefighters by age, gender, region, and employment status. A descriptive analysis of the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada and WorkSafeBC data was undertaken to define priority issues for targeted intervention. Outcome measures included time-loss and fatality claims accepted by compensation boards between 2006 and 2015, and submitted by professional and volunteer firefighters over the age of 14 years.An analysis of AWCBC data revealed five principal determinants of injury and death among Canadian firefighters: cancer, traumatic injury, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and mental health. Cancer represented over 86% of all fatality claims, while traumatic injuries represented 90% of all time-loss claims among firefighters. Firefighter time-loss claims due to traumatic injury occurred at a rate of 1,661.3 per 1 00 000 firefighter population per year. Mental health was the third leading cause of time-loss claims among Canadian firefighters, occurring at a rate of 23.95 per 1 00 000 firefighter population per year. Volunteer firefighters in British Columbia reported lower rates of time-loss claims per 1 00 000 firefighter population than professional firefighters for traumatic injury, cancer, mental health, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease.Given inherent limitations of claims data to analyze injury and death within an occupation, a dedicated national firefighter injury surveillance model is needed to support timely and responsive prevention and intervention, as well as specific research. The results of this study suggest that cancer, injury and mental health should be priority issues for researchers, employers and policy-makers working to improve firefighter health and safety.

ObjectivesThis study explored how demographic characteristics, life experiences, and firefighting experiences have an impact on work-related injuries among female firefighters, and described events surrounding such work-related injuries.MethodsThis online survey was available from June 2019 to July 2020. Questions related to demographic characteristics, life experiences, firefighting experiences, and work-related injuries. Descriptive analyses characterized variables by the presence or absence of work-related injury, injury severity, job assignment, and country of residence.ResultsThere were 1,160 active female firefighter survey respondents from the US and Canada, 64% of whom reported having at least one work-related injury. US respondents made up 67% of the total but 75% of the injured sample. Injured respondents were older, had been in the fire service longer, and had a greater number of fires and toxic exposures than non-injured respondents. Heavier weight, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption were more common among injured respondents. The two most common contributing factors to work-related injuries were human error and firefighter fatigue. Among respondents who reported an injury-related time loss claim, 69% were wearing protective equipment when injured, and 9% of the injuries directly resulted in new policy implementation.ConclusionsThese findings can help inform resource allocation, and development of new policies and safety protocols, to reduce the number of work-related injuries among female firefighters.

ObjectivesThis study explored how demographic characteristics, life experiences, and firefighting exposures have an impact on cancer among female firefighters, and described the types and biologic characteristics of cancers as reported by women in the fire service.MethodsThe online survey was available from June 2019 to July 2020. Questions related to demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, firefighting exposures, and cancer diagnoses. Descriptive analyses characterized variables by the presence or absence of cancer. Qualitative data provided insight into both firefighting and cancer experiences among women.ResultsThere were 1,344 female firefighter respondents from 12 different countries, 256 of whom provided information on their cancer diagnosis. North American respondents made up 92% of the total. Those with cancer were older, had been in the fire service longer, had more career fires and toxic exposures, and were less likely to still be in active service. They also reported more tobacco use, and more full-term pregnancies. There were no differences in family history of cancer between the two groups. The average age at diagnosis was 39.0 years. The major types of cancer reported included breast (25.4%), cervical (21.1%), melanoma (20.7%), base cell/skin (16.4%), and uterine (14.8%). The cancer was detected when seeking medical attention for symptoms (42.1%), during routine health screening (29.8%), and during specific cancer screening (28.1%). The stage of cancer was reported by 44.5%, and 30.9% included the histopathological grade. Treatments included surgery (72.7%), chemotherapy (14.8%), radiotherapy (13.7%), and observation (13.7%). Challenges associated with cancer included psychosocial (33.2%), financial (18.8%), physical (6.6%), and spiritual (6.3%). Concerns about reporting a cancer experience to their employer included the desire to keep health information private (11.3%), a feeling of vulnerability (7.4%), and being perceived as weak (7.0%). Lack of support from their employer or insurer was also noted.ConclusionFemale firefighters experienced a wide variety of different types of cancers which may come earlier than similar cancers in the public. These findings can help inform resource allocation, the development of new policies, and the need for broader presumptive coverage to support female firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

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