Category: Emergency Response/Public Sector
Stress and Health in Law Enforcement
Earlier this month the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health released a special issue highlighting research from the Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress (BCOPS) study and from related studies of morbidity and mortality among police officers. The BCOPS study is an investigation of the early or subclinical health consequences of stress in police officers and Read More >
Posted on by 10 CommentsWildland Fire Fighting Safety and Health
Wildland fires continue to increase in the Western United States as hot, dry and windy conditions persist, resulting in an extended fire season and factors conducive to fires. Currently, drought conditions are prevalent in the West due to low snow-pack levels, below average rainfall, record setting temperatures and high winds, resulting in a greater than Read More >
Posted on by 29 CommentsNIOSH Research on Work Schedules and Work-related Sleep Loss
Yesterday, in honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, we blogged about sleep and work and the risks to workers, employers, and the public when workers’ hours and shifts do not allow for adequate sleep. This blog provides a brief overview of some of the work that NIOSH intramural scientists are carrying out to better understand Read More >
Posted on by 28 CommentsSleep and Work
Sleep is a vital biological function and many Americans don’t get enough. To coincide with National Sleep Awareness Week, the new NIOSH blog post: Sleep and Work summarizes the risks to workers, employers and the public when long hours and irregular shifts required by many jobs do not allow workers to get adequate sleep. Read More >
Posted on by 80 CommentsRespiratory Protection for Terrorist Threats and Other Emergencies
This September 11th marks eight years since the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center. Since then, NIOSH has developed a systematic approach to identify the hazards that responders would face, assess the capabilities of existing respiratory protection equipment to provide protection against viable threats using benchmark testing, and set certification standards that stretch the capabilities of the protective technologies to enhance the protection offered to responders during CBRN events. Read More >
Posted on by 3 CommentsUsing No-nose (Noseless) Bicycle Saddles to Prevent Genital Numbness and Sexual Dysfunction
Over 40,000 workers including police officers, emergency medical technicians, and security staff ride bicycles as part of their job. Research has shown that riding with a traditional bicycle saddle can create pressure in the groin and may lead to a loss of sensation and a decrease in blood supply to the genitals. No-nose bicycle saddles can significantly reduce this pressure and alleviate the resulting negative health consequences. Read More >
Posted on by 63 CommentsImproved Criteria for Emergency Medical Protective Clothing
Over one million firefighters and an additional 500,000 emergency medical technicians and other first responders are engaged in emergency medical service (EMS) operations. NIOSH research has led to revised standards for personal protective equipment for EMS workers and, in turn, the development of new equipment and products providing a level of protection not previously available to the nation's EMS responders. Read More >
Posted on by 7 CommentsFire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
In 1998 the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program was created to conduct independent investigations of fire fighter line of duty deaths and to formulate recommendations for preventing future deaths and injuries. As NIOSH enters the 10th year of the Fire Fighter Program we are working to better reach small and rural fire departments with the results of our fatality investigation reports and prevention recommendations. We request your assistance in helping us achieve this goal. Read More >
Posted on by 9 CommentsPolice and Stress
By the nature of their jobs, many police officers face tremendous stress on a daily basis. NIOSH and colleagues at the University at Buffalo are studying the effects of policing and stress on adverse metabolic and early stage cardiovascular outcomes. Read More >
Posted on by 62 CommentsPreventing Fire Fighter Fatalities from Cardiovascular Events
Some 1.1 million firefighters selflessly risk their own safety and health for our safety and the safety of our communities. Last month we saw this heroism first hand as over 7,000 firefighters battled the dangerous wildfires in Southern California. Fortunately, no fire fighters lost their lives but 130 suffered injuries as of November 2, according to media reports. It is an inherently dangerous job, but injuries, illnesses, and deaths should not be viewed or accepted as inevitable occurrences. NIOSH and other safety and fire service agencies work to protect fire fighters and prevent the estimated 100 fire fighter fatalities that occur each year. Through its Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, NIOSH investigates the deaths of fire fighters in the line of duty to formulate science-based recommendations for preventing future deaths and injuries. Read More >
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