Firefighter Fatalities and Injuries: The Role of Heat Stress and PPE

Denise L. Smith, Gavin P. Horn, Eric Goldstein, Steven J Petruzzello

Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceedingTechnical report

Abstract

More firefighters die in the line of duty from heart attacks than from any other cause. And slips, trips and falls cause a large number of firefighter injuries. While the origins of heart attack and slip, trip and fall may appear unrelated, previous research suggests that heat stress may be a common causal factor in both heart attacks and slips, trips and falls. Research further suggests that one common, critical factor can potentially mitigate both of these injuries and fatalities: modified personal protective equipment (PPE). This report of the "Cardiovascular and Biomechanical Responses to Fire Fighting and PPE" research project provides a review of the known research and new and important findings concerning the interrelationship of cardiovascular function, biomechanics, and the design of personal protective equipment.
Original languageEnglish (US)
PublisherIllinois Fire Service Institute
Number of pages88
StatePublished - Jul 2008

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