• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2017

Occupational hazards of firefighting and rescue works include frequent exposure to emergencies and life-threatening situations. These stressful work conditions of being constantly under pressure and exposed to potentially traumatic events put them at higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to the general population. PTSD is a potentially debilitating mental disorder, due to persistent intrusive thoughts, negative alterations of mood and cognition, hypervigilance, avoidance of similar situations and reminders, and re-experiences of the traumatic event. Previous studies have shown a relatively high prevalence of PTSD among firefighters, indicating the need for a systematic approach of early detection and prevention. Therefore, a critical review of the current literature on PTSD in firefighters would provide valuable insights into developing effective prevention and intervention programs. Literature indicated that there are risk factors of PTSD in firefighters, such as pre-existing depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, occupational stress, physical symptoms, and binge drinking, whereas social support and adequate rewards are protective factors. Although there are differences in the prevalence of PTSD across studies, partly due to various assessment tools utilized, different sample sizes, and sample characteristics, over one tenth of the firefighters were estimated to have PTSD. The current review warrants further investigations to precisely assess PTSD and co-morbid mental disorders, functional outcomes, and associated factors, and to develop evidence-based preventive and interventional programs to help firefighters with PTSD.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.37-46
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine halitosis perception status of firefighters and identify the factors related to halitosis; for this purpose, a survey was conducted in 241 firefighters in Daejeon, obtaining the following results: First. The higher level of smoking and alcohol intake, the more likely to perceive halitosis; all of those with a general disease perceived halitosis; and the more stress, the more likely to perceive halitosis. Second, The respondents who brushed their teeth three times a day, who spent 1~2 minutes in brushing their teeth, who failed to wash their tongue, and who had never received oral health education were most likely to perceive halitosis. And third. such factors as age, the amount of tongue coating, and dry mouth affected halitosis perception status. Firefighters' halitosis perception is related to several factors. For this reason, emphasis is placed on the need to develop a program for helping firefighters prevent halitosis and remove oral symptoms and to give education for good oral health management.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2017

Background: Recommendations have been proposed for minimum aerobic fitness among firefighters but it is unclear if those criteria relate to performance on the fireground. Less fit individuals fatigue more quickly than fit individuals when working at comparable intensity and may have gait changes, increasing risk of falls. We evaluated the effect of fatigue during a live burn evolution on gait parameters and functional balance comparing them to aerobic fitness levels. Methods: A total of 24 firefighters had gait and balance tested before and after a live burn evolution. Data were stratified by aerobic fitness of greater/less than 14 metabolic equivalents (METs). Results: Analysis of gait cycles measurements before and after the live burn evolution revealed that single leg stance, cycle, and swing time decreased (p < 0.05) but there were no differences in the other measures. There were no differences in time to complete the functional balance test, or errors committed before or after a live burn evolution. When firefighters were sorted by fitness level of 14 METs, there were no differences for errors or time before or after the live burn evolution. Balance data were analyzed using a linear regression. Individuals with lower fitness levels required more time to complete the test. Conclusion: A 14-MET criterion failed to distinguish gait or balance characteristics in this group. However, less fit firefighters did require more time to complete the balance test (p = 0.003). Aerobic fitness alone does not predict gait changes among firefighters following a live burn evolution but does appear to influence functional balance.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.80-88
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to present an effective plan that can improve satisfaction of curriculum for preparatory firefighters who participated in a course for entry-level. It also aims at examining which elements have a significant effect on curriculum is what satisfises the entry-level firefighters through survey and research for education satisfaction. Independent variables influencing education satisfaction of entry-level firefighters include training facilities, training contents, instruction, relationships between trainers and trainees and relationships between trainees. Suggestions in terms of policy based on analysis of this study are as follows. Transfer effect of training for entry-level firefighters should be produced. Demander centered training should be given so that various methods can be attempted. In addition, sensibility training should be boosted through mutual sympathy between trainees and trainers and trainers should make constant effort to improve expertises, multidisciplinary training of various fields should be given.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2011

Objectives: The present study aims to determine the causal relationship between self-rated depression and experiences of injury and accidents in municipal firefighters. Methods: A panel survey of 186 municipal firefighters measured with depressive symptoms according to the Beck's depression index (BDI) was conducted. The effects of job-related injuries and accidents were evaluated using self-administered questionnaires that were taken once in a 12-month period from 2005 to 2006. Firefighters were classified into the Depression Group or Control Group based on follow-up BDI results with a cutoff level that was set to having "over mild depression." Results: The depression Group was comprised of 17 (9.1%) workers, including 9 firefighters who met had sufficient BDI scores twice in the 2-year test period and newly sufficient BDI scores in the follow-up test. A significantly higher number of subjects in the Depression Group experienced injuries and accidents in the 2-year test period as compared to the Control Group (15.4% vs. 1.5%, p=0.04). Firefighters who experienced injuries and accidents in the 2-year test period had a 7.4 times higher risk of being in the Depression Group than those who had not. As compared to accidents, near-miss accidents revealed stronger risks related to being classified as in the Depression group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 4.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-18.18 vs. Adjusted OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.08-16.58). Conclusion: The above results suggest that we should establish an effective program to promote mental health for groups at high risk for self-rated depression, including persons who have experienced consecutive injuries and accidents as well as near-miss injuries.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.441-447
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the effect of firefighters' social capital on subjective happiness. This research was conducted from Jun 12 to Aug 25, 2017, and a descriptive analysis, t-test, hierarchical regression analysis was carried out based on the results of a survey with 351 firefighters in Gyeonggi-do to verify the research hypothesis. As a result, it was revealed that network(${\beta}=.315$, p<.001), trust(${\beta}=.293$, p<.01), cooperation(${\beta}=.225$, p<.01) and trust among other sub-variables of firefighters' social capital had significant effects on subjective happiness. Based on the results, this research suggested that various measures to strengthen social capital would be required in order to improve fire-fighters' happiness: efforts to increase trust within the organization, political support for vitalizing formal network as a communication channel among firefighters organizations, encouraging interest in the community and promoting informal network such as volunteer work, developing transparency in operating the organizational policy and system, etc.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.185-191
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• 2019

The use of smartphone improves convenience and efficiency in modern people's lives but threatens the mental health of individuals by manifesting an addiction phenomenon that is difficult for everyday life without a smartphone. In particular, it is suggested that the effects of the smartphone addiction of firefighters who have a high level of job stress due to work environment exposed to disaster and fire have a very negative effect on their personal well-being and job performance. Therefore, the analysis of the relationship between firefighters' smartphone addiction and stress will be helpful in examining the problems of stress management. This study analyzed the relationship and influence between smartphone addiction and stress of firefighters. Total study subjects were 230 and SPSS 20.0 was used. Statistical methods are group analysis (t-test and ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study show that firefighters' household type and monthly income have a significant effect on stress. Of the sub-factors of smartphone addiction, withdrawal experience has a statistically significant effect on stress. The results of the study will provide empirical data on the smartphone addiction of fire service employees.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.479-484
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the combined effects of organizational climate (OC) with emotional labor (EL) on turnover intention in Korean firefighters. Methods: The data were obtained from the study Firefighters Research: Enhancement of Safety and Health. A total of 4,860 firefighters whose main duty was providing "emergency medical aid" were included. To examine the effects of OC on the relationships between five subscales of EL and turnover intention, four groups were created using various combinations of OC ("good" vs. "bad") and EL ("normal" vs. "risk"): (1) "good" and "normal" (Group I), (2) "bad" and "normal" (Group II), (3) "good" and "risk" (Group III), and (4) "bad" and "risk" (Group IV). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the risk of turnover intention for the combinations of OC and EL. Results: The results showed turnover intention was significantly higher in the group with "bad" OC (17.7%) than in that with "good" OC (7.6%). Combined effects of OC and EL on turnover intention were found in all five subscales with the exception of Group I for emotional demands and regulation. Groups II, III, and IV were more likely to experience risks of turnover intention than Group I (p for trend <0.001). Conclusions: A positive and cooperative OC plays a role in decreasing the risk of turnover intention and in attenuating the negative effects of EL on turnover intention in firefighters.

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

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.495-507
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to identify the current status of legal disputes that occur while firefighters are performing their duties and to suggest efficient response measures. To investigate awareness of legal disputes, a survey was conducted on 3,500 firefighters, and the responses of 505 people who participated in the survey were analyzed. As a research method, frequency analysis and cross-analysis were conducted based on the demographic characteristics of the participants and a survey of firefighters' awareness of the law, and through this, basic statistics and status were analyzed. As a result of the analysis, it was found that firefighters feel a lot of burden, including time and material losses, as well as disadvantages and mental anxiety in the workplace when legal disputes occur while performing their duties. The need for an organizational response in the workplace as an efficient response to this was statistically confirmed. Therefore, based on the results of this study, we propose the permanent establishment and operation of a professional legal support team within each city/provincial fire department headquarters so that firefighters can concentrate on their duties free from legal disputes.