Date of Award
Spring 3-14-2007
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Abstract
Nearly 50% of all on-duty firefighter fatalities are attributed to heart attacks. Therefore, awareness of heart attack risk factors is paramount before any mitigation efforts can be implemented to reduce the number of heart related firefighter deaths. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the current level of heart attack risk factor awareness amongst California fire service leaders and what variables impacted this level of awareness.
Data from 180 California chief fire officer survey respondents was analyzed and comprehensive review of legislation, industry standards, regulations, industry best practices, professional journal reports, and periodicals was conducted.
The research revealed that <10% of the respondents were able to demonstrate an awareness of at least five controllable and five uncontrollable heart attack risk factors. Additionally, no specific competencies were found to exist within the formal educational track or fire service certification levels for any rank within in the fire department. A case study review of legislation and industry regulations related to firefighter fatalities linked to heart attacks revealed no mandated training on heart attack risk factor awareness.
The low level of awareness of heart attack risk factors is a risk factor in and of itself. Risk factor awareness training for fire personnel is indicated and further research is recommended to determine the actual impact of each risk factor in the fire service specifically; moreover, an emphasis on stress is indicated.
Recommended Citation
Shaffer, Demetrious N., "Heart Attack Risk Factors and the Morbidity and Mortality of Firefighters A Study of the Level of Awareness of California Chief Fire Officers" (2007). EMPA Capstones. 331.
https://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/capstones/331