• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.121-133
• /
• 2018

The goal of this study is to investigate the factors affecting firefighter's traumatic experiences and to examine and compare the differences of how those factors contribute to firefighter's burnout, depression, anxiety and social relationships. This study suggests that it is imperative for firefighters to have mindfulness, which brings mental and emotional healing, for their job-satisfaction. To empirically examine the research model of this study, the questionnaire survey was carried out to firefighters in InCheon Metropolitan City for two weeks; from October 19thto November 3rd, 2017. Out of 180 questionnaires, 170were retrieved. Total number of 160 questionnaires are empirically examined this study, excluding10bad survey responses. The t-test was conducted to determine whether there exist differences by gender among traumatic experienced firefighters, and a meaningful difference was found from perceived intrusiveness, a sub factor to traumatic experiences. Male firefighters showed higher mean than that of female firefighters in perceived angle, evasion and intrusiveness. Second, the t-test was conducted to determine whether there exist differences by gender in firefighter's burnout, but no meaningful differences were found. Female firefighters showed higher mean in emotional exhaustion, impersonalization and in decrease in self-achievements. Third, the t-test was conducted to determine whether there exist differences by gender in firefighter's depression and relationships, but no meaningful differences were found.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.209-219
• /
• 2019

This study analyzed and compared wearer mobility for different types of clothing that also included the potential to develop firefighter station uniforms using range of motion (ROM) and electromyography (EMG). This study focused on a comparison of wearer mobility affected by different materials and shapes of the station uniforms worn under firefighter turnout gear. Japanese standard uniform (UNI), stretch-wear (ST), and compression-wear (CP) were used as station uniforms for the experiment. This study analyzed wearer movements and quantified ROM and EMG. In addition, the subjective evaluation of wearer mobility and comfort were assessed for comparisons. Nine healthy male students participated in the experiment. Wearer mobility was analyzed using ROM and EMG data obtained by measuring five motions; in addition, subjective evaluations were also obtained. As compared with the standard station uniform, ROM increased 6.8 % and 7.2 % due to stretch-wear and compression-wear. The benefits of wearing stretch material or compression material to improve muscle performance (such as reduced percent of maximum voluntary contraction) were not proven. Differences between materials and designs influenced subjective wearer comfort. In particular, the wearing of compression materials was shown best in terms of wearer comfort that may also allow greater wearer mobility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.416-426
• /
• 2019

This study measured and analyzed male firefighters hand sizes as well as suggested data for developing firefighting gloves with a good fit. Accordingly, body dimensions related to the hand were measured for 100 male firefighters. Twenty-three measuring items related to the hand and lower arm were selected. The firefighters' measurement data were compared to general adult male measurements from the 6th Korean Anthropometric data to analyze the hand sizes characteristics of firefighters. As a result, height, hand circumference, hand breadth, wrist circumference, elbow-wrist length, forearm-fingertip length and firefighter weight were significantly larger than adult males. A correlation analysis for 23 items was conducted to select items used as standards for setting a size when manufacturing firefighting gloves. Hand length and circumference were selected as representative hand parts for making firefighting gloves. Cross analysis between hand length and circumference were conducted to find the section showing the highest distribution ratio. As a result, the highest sections were between 19cm and 21cm for hand circumference and between 18.5cm and 19.5cm for hand length, which may be suggested as the most important ranges.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.222-227
• /
• 2020

Background: This study investigated the effect of increased job stress, caused by musculoskeletal disease (MSD) among firefighters, on a firefighter's intention to leave the profession, henceforth referred to as "turnover intention," and verified the moderating effect of mindfulness on such a relationship. Methods: A survey involving a total of 549 Korean male firefighters as participants was conducted herein, and the following results were obtained: the mediation effect of the MSD to turnover intention through job stress was confirmed, and the indirect effect of job stress was verified. Results: We verified the moderated mediation effect of mindfulness on the relation:MSD, job stress, and turnover intention. The conditional indirect effect for middle and high levels of mindfulness is significant. Conclusion: The result of this study is supported by proofs of the relationship between a firefighter's MSD, job stress, and turnover intention, and these case studies reveal the moderated mediation effect of dispositional mindfulness.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.301-312
• /
• 2011

Firefighters and police officers have the third highest prevalence of obesity among 41 male occupational groups in the United States (US). However, few studies have examined the relationship of firefighter working conditions and health behaviors with obesity. This paper presents a theoretical framework describing the relationship between working conditions, health behaviors, and obesity in firefighters. In addition, the paper describes a detailed study plan for exploring the role of occupational and behavioral risk factors in the development of obesity in firefighters enrolled in the Orange County Fire Authority Wellness Fitness Program. The study plan will be described with emphasis on its methodological merits: adopting a participatory action research approach, developing a firefighter-specific work and health questionnaire, conducting both a cross-sectional epidemiological study using the questionnaire and a sub-study to assess the validity of the questionnaire with dietary intake and physical activity measures, and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the body mass index as an obesity measure in comparison to skinfold-based percent body fat. The study plan based on a theoretical framework can be an essential first step for establishing effective intervention programs for obesity among professional and voluntary firefighters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.79-88
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of personal, job, and health care characteristics of firefighters on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and job stress. This survey was participated 591 firefighters in jeonnam and Busan city. The survey consisted of 1) personal, job, and health care characteristics measurement, 2) job stress measurement (KOSS, Korean Occupational Stress Scale), 3) musculoskeletal disorders symptoms mesurement. The analysis of the data was using SAS 9.1 Ver. The statistics analysis was performed the frequency, percentage, average, and standard deviation for each survey item. The Chi square analysis was performed to analyzed the effects of personal, job, and health care characteristics on MSDs and job stress. According to the results of the study on musculoskeletal disorders symptoms, 49.6% of the subjects perceived pain related to musculoskeletal diseases. The total score for job stress was 51.6 (SD 12.9), which was the highest 50% when compared to the Korean job stress standard (male). Age, department, work experience, working type, position, and sleeping time were found to affect musculoskeletal disorders and job stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
• /
• v.27 no.2_2
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2024

This study is about the organizational justice of fire service agency for organizational commitment and motivation of firefighters. The research data were collected from 355 firefighters nationwide using the On-nara Administrative Work Management System 2.0. The statistical processing method of the research data was analyzed using the statistical program SPSS 28.0. The study results showed that the overall level of firefighters' perception of organizational justice was slightly lower than normal, with an average score of 2.85. Regarding gender, male firefighters were more likely to believe that the organization was injustice than female firefighters. In addition, organizational justice was found to be lower among fire sergeants by rank and first aiders by responsibility.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2023

Background: This study investigated the relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation. Moreover, this study examines the moderating roles of organizational climate on the association between trauma exposure and suicidal ideation in Korean male firefighters. Methods: A total of 15,104 male firefighters who completed a questionnaire were analyzed. The data were obtained using an online self-administered questionnaire from the Firefighter Research on Enhancement of Safety and Health Study. Poisson regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of trauma exposure on suicidal ideation and the moderating effect of organizational climate. Results: The results showed that 389 firefighters (2.6%) responded that they had experienced suicidal ideation. In the final model, trauma exposure was positively related to suicidal ideation (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.076; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.051-1.103), and organizational climate was negatively associated with suicidal ideation (aRR, 0.772; 95% CI: 0.739-0.806). Additionally, the interaction term (trauma exposure × organizational climate) was related to suicidal ideation (aRR, 1.016; 95% CI: 1.009-1.023). Conclusions: This study suggests that trauma exposure might play a significant role in developing suicidal ideation and that positive organizational climate moderates the negative effects of trauma exposure on suicidal ideation among firefighters. It is necessary to perform a follow-up study of various intervention strategies to maintain a healthy organizational climate or work environment. Such interventions should promote lasting trust within teams, provide social support and belonging, and nurture job value.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.195-203
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This paper aims to investigate the influence on stress hormones of job stress resulting from firefighting duties, as well as the degree of such influence. Methods: KOSS-26 and stress hormones such as norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol were analyzed for 191 male firefighters from the western area of Incheon, the Incheon Industrial Complex, and Bucheon, Korea. Job stress and stress hormones were compared between a office working group and field-working group. Results: There was no significant difference in EPI and ACTH between the two groups. Change of stress hormones prior to engaging in typical duties, following typical duties, and immediately after field activities was examined. All the EPI, ACTH, and cortisol showed statistically significant changes with time, but not NE in the blood. In the field-working group, the cortisol levels in the blood of the firefighting and rescue groups showed notable differences depending on the time at which the measurements were taken. Conclusion: The differences in stress hormone levels depending on the type of duties of the firefighters were identified. Thus, interventions proper to job requirements is required in order to ease stress.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.21-35
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of firefighters' job stress and emotional labor on their turnover intention, and analyze the main factors impacting turnover intention in this context. Methods: Based on a descriptive survey study design, we administered a structured questionnaire among 231 firefighters at one fire station in G metropolitan city from November 13 to 27, 2020. Results: Regarding job stress, participants showed differences based on marital status (p<.05), health status (p<.001), total service period (p<.05), and assignment (p<.05). For emotional labor, a significantly higher rate was observed for female than male firefighters (p<.05), with differences also observed in age (p<.001), health status (p<.001), total service period (p<.05), rank (p<.001), and assignment (p<.05). Further, for turnover intention, significant differences were noted with respect to age (p<.001), education (p<.01), health status (p<.001), total service period (p<.01), work unit (p<.05), rank (p<.001), and assignment (p<.05). A significant correlation was found between job stress and emotional labor and turnover intention. Regarding the factors affecting turnover intention, significant differences were noted based on education, rank, job stress, and emotional labor; the explanatory power was 53.9% (F=13.806, p<.001). Conclusion: Tailored support programs must be developed to ease firefighters' job stress and reduce their emotional labor to facilitate effective manpower management and reduce firefighters' turnover intention.