Female Firefighter Work-Related Injuries in the United States and Canada: An Overview of Survey Responses

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.

Automated summary

This study examined the impact of demographic characteristics, life experiences, and firefighting experiences on work-related injuries among female firefighters, and described the events surrounding such injuries. The findings revealed that older age, longer tenure in the fire service, and exposure to more fires and toxic substances were associated with a higher risk of injuries among female firefighters. Injured firefighters were more likely to have higher body weight, engage in tobacco use, and consume alcohol. Human error and firefighter fatigue were identified as the two most common factors contributing to work-related injuries. Additionally, a portion of the injured firefighters reported wearing protective equipment when injured, and some injuries led to the implementation of new policies.