Everyone Goes Home - Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program

By Robert A. Mitchell
Assistant Chief - Operations, Reedy Creek Emergency Services

"A ceiling collapses killing two firefighters," "An unseen propane tank explodes during a fire killing one firefighter and injuring one other," "A driver loses control of his vehicle colliding with an accident scene killing the rescue crew," "Firefighter dies of heart attack while on duty;" These headlines are all tragic and all too familiar to most of us. Most of them we chalk up to part of the job. What we do is dangerous and sometimes we die doing it. I'm not going to debate or discuss what could have been done or what we are doing to prevent these headlines; with the exception of one.

In 1994 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began a ten year study concerning line-of-duty deaths (LODD). At the conclusion of this study there were glaring findings regarding sudden cardiac death in firefighters. Put simply, "Cardiac death is the leading cause of death among firefighters." This conclusion was reached based on a CDC analysis of 1994 to 2004 data from the U.S. Fire Administration. (MMWR.2006; 55:421-448)

The University of Buffalo found that based on further information from the United States Fire Administration, approximately forty-four percent of U.S. Firefighters who died on duty in 2007 succumbed to a heart attack. That figure is twice the number of cardiovascular deaths among on-duty police officers (University of Buffalo NewsCenter). Further, as referenced in Billy Hayes' article in last month's Everyone Goes Home® newsletter of the 2008 LODDs currently reported, "the numbers continue to show that heart attacks and unknown illnesses are the leading factor" for LODDs.

Re-quoting from Everyone Goes Home® January Newsletter and U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade, "The tragic losses of on duty firefighters in 2008 are a reminder of the necessary commitment and efforts by firefighters in all departments across the United States to focus on and improve our operational safety." He goes on to say "We understand all too well that many of these losses are preventable. The USFA remains dedicated to our continuing our efforts to ensure 2009 is a year where we reduce these losses so that firefighters can return home safely to their families and continue to serve their communities." As the United States Fire Administration (USFA) continues to collect and evaluate 2008 LODDs, preliminary estimates indicate that heart attacks and strokes were responsible for the deaths of 50 firefighters (43.8%) in 2008. This shows a decrease from 54 of the 118 (45.7%) firefighters in 2007.

Additionally, as stated in a release from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), "The toll of heart disease is a major reason why firefighter deaths have not declined in recent years, even though fewer firefighters die in burning structures (and fewer structures catch fire). An average of 97 firefighters died per year in the 1990's. But since 2000, the yearly average has been 102; with the exception of the firefighters killed during the 9-11 attacks.

OK, now that we've got all the depressing facts out of the way and we know there are some things we just cannot prevent or avoid. Why are we dying from something that we have known as preventable for the last thirty years? Yes, I know there are risk factors that the American Heart Association says are hereditary and yes, there are some risk factors that are mostly unavoidable, but what about doing the things that improve our odds?

You have to ask yourself some questions. Yes, we have all heard them before but the majority of us are not listening. Ask yourself... Do I Smoke? Do I drink? Do I exercise? Do I watch what I eat and not just what's going in my mouth? Do I get regular check-ups and do something with the findings? Do I take my medication the way I should?

Of course only some of these questions apply to all of us and some of us may not need to worry about any of these questions. To those of you, I say great, you are one of the lucky few. For most of us though, I think I can safely state that we are saying the wrong answer to one or more of these questions.

The American Heart Associations suggest following these three steps in helping to reduce your risk:

Avoid Tobacco
Be More Active
Choose Good Nutrition

For more information on things you can do as an individual visit ABCs of Preventing Heart Disease, Stroke and Heart Attack

In Florida we are fortunate to have a legislature that understands the risk we face as firefighters and has a presumptive law that is called the Heart/Lung Bill; this bill provides assistance to firefighters with these types of problems. To understand more about this bill visit Understanding Florida Statute 112.18 - The Heart/Lung Bill

I am privileged to be a part of a department that sees my overall health as a priority. Each individual receives an annual physical paid for by the department. Every two years we have a cardiac/endurance profile done on the treadmill as part of that physical. We have annual blood testing including tests for heavy metals. We also participate in a wellness program facilitated by Train America, Inc. out of Gainesville, Florida. We allow time each day during shift to participate in some type of physical activity to exercise our cardiovascular system.

In closing, this month be the hero you can and should be. Reduce one primary risk you can control; your heart health. It does not make sense to take control of everything we encounter as firefighters and let our health, the most important thing and the thing we can control get away from us.

Be safe,
Bob

Bob Mitchell

Robert A. Mitchell, FPEM, IC/PM, BPM currently serves as an Assistant Chief of Operations at Reedy Creek Emergency Services / Fire Department. Serving various communities around the country he started his career in 1980 as a cadet and has never left emergency services. Chief Mitchell's experience includes service with the Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Health & Human Services, Orange County Sheriff's Office and Reedy Creek as a Firefighter, Dive Medical Technician, Paramedic, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, Safety Officer, and Area/Incident Commander. During Chief Mitchell's career he received his Associates Degree in EMS from Valencia Community College in Orlando, Fl., an undergrad degree (BS) from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., and is currently working on his graduate degree. Chief Mitchell has also lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of Fire Service, EMS, and Child Abuse issues.