• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.94-102
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• 2019

As the importance of first responses for fire accidents has grown in the safety management of nuclear power plants, a systematic approach to measure firefighters' psychological states and competence is needed. The current study investigated the construct of the risk perception of the firefighters working near nuclear power plant sites, and then developed and validated a new scale to measure firefighters' risk perception regarding nuclear power plant accidents. The scale items were developed on the basis of literature review and interviews with the firefighters working near nuclear power plant sites. In order to validate the new scale, we recruited 180 firefighters from five fire stations in the vicinity of the nuclear power plants in Jeonnam Province, Gyeongbuk Province, and Busan. The results of exploratory factor analyses revealed that the scale consisted of five factors: "manual" reflecting a lack of response guidelines and manuals for fire incidents and radioactive material release; "fear" reflecting a fear of fire incidents in the nuclear power plants and their catastrophic consequences; "resource" reflecting a lack of protective equipment and manpower for responding to fire incidents in the nuclear power plants; "trust" reflecting trust and cooperation with the counterpart institutions for firefighting in the nuclear power plants; and "knowledge" reflecting the knowledge of radioactivity and firefighting in the nuclear power plants. Further analyses provided statistical evidence supporting for the 15-item scale's internal consistency and construct validity. Finally, We discussed the implication and limitations of the current research.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.53-62
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate duty-related incidental stress, coping method, and stress factors in 133 new firefighters. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administrated to 133 new firefighters between April and May 2010. It consisted of 33 and 62 items concerning duty-related incident stress and coping methods, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: New firefighters experienced the most stress when inappropriately dispatched. Duty-related incidental stress correlated with active (r = .420, p < .001) and passive coping (r = .450, p < .001). Also active coping statistically correlated with passive coping (r = .890, p < .001). Influencing factors of duty-related incidental stress were passive coping (t = 2.12, p < .05), experience of having a co-worker in a dangerous situation (t = 3.30, p < .001), having less than 6 months of work experience (t = 2.30, p < .05), and experience of having oneself in a dangerous situation (t = 2.05, p < .05). Conclusion: New firefighters need to be provided with training on active coping to prevent posttraumatic stress disorders and, social support immediately after an inappropriate and stressful dispatch.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.345-354
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• 2019

Objectives: It is well-known that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among firefighters contributes to their job-related stress. However, the relationship between burnout and PTSD in firefighters has rarely been studied. This study therefore explored the association between burnout and its related factors, such as trauma and violence, and PTSD symptoms among firefighters in Korea. Methods: A total of 535 firefighters participated in the Firefighter Research on Enhancement of Safety & Health study at 3 university hospitals from 2016 to 2017. The 535 participants received a baseline health examination, including questionnaires assessing their mental health. A Web-based survey was also conducted to collect data on job-related stress, history of exposure to violence, burnout, and trauma experience. The associations among burnout, its related factors, and PTSD symptoms were investigated using structural equation modeling. Results: Job demands (${\beta}=0.411$, p<0.001) and effort-reward balance (${\beta}=-0.290$, p<0.001) were significantly related to burnout. Burnout (${\beta}=0.237$, p<0.001) and violence (${\beta}=0.123$, p=0.014) were significantly related to PTSD risk. Trauma (${\beta}=0.131$, p=0.001) was significantly related to burnout; however, trauma was not directly associated with PTSD scores (${\beta}=0.085$, p=0.081). Conclusions: Our results show that burnout and psychological, sexual, and physical violence at the hands of clients directly affected participants' PTSD symptoms. Burnout mediated the relationship between trauma experience and PTSD.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.446-455
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• 2022

This study investigated work experience of firefighters and risk factors for their depression during COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed data of 53,557 firefighters who participated in the online mental health status survey. Data included experiences of COVID-19 infection, experience of COVID-19 response work, fear of social stigma, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Results showed that 45.76% of participants had experience of COVID-19 response work. Emergency job group had the highest percentage of COVID-19 related work and the greater intensity of the work and fear of social stigma than those of other job groups. Hierarchical multiple regression showed that co-workers' infection, COVID-19 related work intensity and fear of social stigma were significantly associated to the severity of depression. The findings in this study demonstrated COVID-19 related work experience can link to the development of depression in firefighters. Effort to reduce COVID-19 related work intensity and fear of social stigma could help prevent depression among firefighters.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a Tabata exercise program as an alternative for firefighters whose working environment makes it difficult to manage physical fitness. The Tabata exercise program, in which 16 people participated, led to increased muscle mass and reduced weight and body fat, which not only improved the health of the firefighters but also improved their cardiopulmonary endurance, muscle endurance, and muscle strength, which are essential elements during firefighting emergency relief activities. On the basis of these results, it is believed that developing and providing guidelines for scientific and systematic exercise programs to firefighters will lead to better work capability during fire and disaster situations.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.379-389
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• 2017

The purposes of this study were to identify the relationships among job stress, emotional labor, resilience, mental health and to determine the influences on mental health in firefighters. The participants were 391 firefighters in Chung-Nam and some variables related to job stress, emotional labor, resilience, mental health were measured using reliable instruments. There showed significant positive relationships of mental health with job stress, emotional labor and negative relationships with resilience. Among predictors, job stress(job insecurity, lack of reward, occupational climate), emotional labor, resilience had statistically significant influence on mental health. Mental health programs to decrease job stress and emotional labor, and to enhance resilience are essential to improve the mental health of firefighters.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.123-128
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• 2014

This study investigated a posttraumatic stress, social support, and work burden and identified related factors which exerted influence on posttraumatic stress of new firefighters. Data were gathered from total of 144 new firefighters. Also, 22 PTS items, 20 work burden items, and 8 social support items were analyzed by SPSSWIN 21.0 program. Posttraumatic stress according to general characteristics showed significant difference in gender(t=-2.57, p=0.01), experience of self danger(t=3.06, p=0.00), experience of rescuee danger(t=2.41, p=0.02), and experience of colleague danger(t=3.43, p=0.00). High risk group of PTS was 20.1%. Posttraumatic stress, social support, and work burden showed significant difference in the high and low risk group. Posttraumatic stress was correlated with work burden(r=0.34, p=0.00), social support(r=-0.29,p=0.00). Factors influencing PTS were Experience of colleague danger(${\beta}$=1.274, 95% CI=0.08-0.96), social support(${\beta}$=-0.090, 95% CI=0.85-0.98) and work burden(${\beta}$=0.057, 95% CI=1.02-1.10). We need to reduce the work burden caused by influencing variable of traumatic stress and create more preventive discipline of traumatic stress for the new firefighters to improve the social support at work or home. Also, posttraumatic stress has to be managed consistently with support by changing the social attitudes and we need to seek the new system that anybody can get a consultation of a specialist.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2011

Objective : This study aimed to ascertain the effect of interpersonal sensitivity/resilience on depression and anxiety in firefighters whose frequency of exposure to traumatic events is high. Method : A survey was performed and data related to 75 firefighters were analyzed. Questionnaires included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). To assess the susceptibility or protector roles with respect to psychopathology, the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM) and Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used. Results : The personality characteristic, interpersonal sensitivity (IPSM) showed a significant positive correlation with depression (BDI, r=0.557, p<0.001) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (IES-R, r=0.316 ; p<0.001). In contrast, resilience and symptom parameters (BDI, IES-R) were negatively correlated with each other, but not statistically significant. However, an adaptive factor for change, a third sub-factor of CD-RISC, had significant negative correlation with depression and anxiety symptoms (BDI, r=-0.275, p<0.005 ; IES-R, r=-0.254, p<0.005). Conclusion : The results of the present study showed that some personality traits may act as vulnerability or protective factors with respect to the psychopathologies of depression and anxiety.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2015

Background: Heart attack is the most common cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Daily aspirin therapy is a preventative measure used to reduce the morbidity of heart attacks but may decrease the ability to dissipate heat by reducing skin blood flow. Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, firefighters were randomized to receive 14 days of therapy (81-mg aspirin or placebo) before performing treadmill exercise in thermal-protective clothing in a hot room [$38.8{\pm}2.1^{\circ}C$, $24.9{\pm}9.1%$ relative humidity (RH)]. Three weeks without therapy was provided before crossing to the other arm. Firefighters completed a baseline skin blood-flow assessment via laser Doppler flowmetry; skin was heated to $44^{\circ}C$ to achieve maximal cutaneous vasodilation. Skin blood flow was measured before and after exercise in a hot room, and at 0 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes of recovery under temperature conditions ($25.3{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$, $40.3{\pm}13.7%\;RH$). Platelet clotting time was assessed before drug administration, and before and after exercise. Results: Fifteen firefighters completed the study. Aspirin increased clotting time before and after exercise compared with placebo (p = 0.003). There were no differences in absolute skin blood flow between groups (p = 0.35). Following exercise, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was $85{\pm}42%$ of maximum in the aspirin and $76{\pm}37%$ in the placebo groups. The percentage of maximal CVC did not differ by treatment before or after recovery. Neither maximal core body temperature nor heart rate responses to exercise differed between trials. Conclusion: There were no differences in skin blood flow during uncompensable heat stress following exercise after aspirin or placebo therapy.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.133-138
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• 2010

This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between job-related stressor, problem solving style and psychological distress and the effects of job-related stress and problem solving style on psychological distress of firefighters. The Job-related Stress Scale, Problem Solving Style Questionnaire, and the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R) were administered to 148 firefighters working in Seoul and Gyounggi. Correlation analysis revealed that job-related stress, problem-solving styles such as helplessness and problem-solving control correlated positively with psychological distress and that problem-solving confidence and approaching style correlated negatively with it. Multiple regression analysis showed that job-related negative cognition and emotion, helplessness and approaching style accounted for 43% of the variance in the psychological distress. Among problem-solving styles, helplessness had the highest predictive power for psychological distress. Self-reported helplessness is an important determinant of firefighters' reactions to problematic situations encountered in their job.