Firefighters work very challenging schedules under highly stressful and demanding conditions. The need to work frequent extended-duration shifts leads to acute and chronic sleep deficiency and disrupts circadian rhythms. A significant proportion of firefighters also suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders, which further impair sleep and exacerbate fatigue.

 

A nationwide survey was conducted of nearly 7,000 firefighters in 66 departments across the US and found that 37% of firefighters were at risk for a common sleep disorder.  Those at risk for a sleep disorder had twice the risk of a motor vehicle crash, near-crash or falling asleep while driving. They were also more likely to have cardiovascular disease, diabetes depression and anxiety. Alarmingly, 83 percent of firefighters who screened at-risk for a sleep disorder were undiagnosed and untreated.

 

Next, a sleep health education and sleep disorders screening program was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial in one mid-sized fire department. Firefighters assigned to stations that received the program reported 46 percent fewer disability days than firefighters assigned to control stations. Firefighters who received the program were also 24 percent less likely to report an injury than firefighters who did not receive the training.

 

A sleep health education and screening program is important to improve the health, safety and well-being of firefighters.  This presentation will focus on the implementation of such programs, the importance of sleep, the symptoms of sleep disorders and countermeasures to improve the sleep health of firefighters in the face of the occupational demands.