• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.333-342
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• 2015

Objectives: The $1.8{\pm}1.5$purpose of the study was to investigate the oral health related quality of life according to work factors of firefighters in Korea. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 270 firefighters in Changwon, Gimhae, and Ulsan from June 27 to July 24, 2011 after receiving informed consent. The questionnaire consisted of 5 questions of general characteristics of the subjects, 6 questions of job-related characteristics, and 14 questions of oral health related quality of life(OHIP-14). Data analysis was performed with reliability test, descriptive analysis, t-test, analysis of variance(ANOVA) and multiple regression analysis using SAS(version 9.2) program. Results: The score of oral health related quality of life in firefighters was $10.1{\pm}8.0$. The scores of subscale of the oral health quality of life were $2.4{\pm}1.5$ in physical pain, $1.8{\pm}1.5$ in psychological discomfort, $1.5{\pm}1.5$ in physical disability, $1.4{\pm}1.5$ in functional limitation, $1.3{\pm}1.4$ psychological disability, $0.9{\pm}1.3$ in handicap, and $0.7{\pm}1.3$ in social disability. The related factors of oral health quality of life in firefighters were rank(p=0.016) and the frequency of daily mobilization(p=0.029). Conclusions: Oral health related quality of life in firefighters was relatively in good condition. For the better oral health related quality of life in firefighters, it is important to establish the continuing oral health promotion program for those who have irregular job characteristics and job intensity.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2017

Previous studies have found that firefighters have a tenfold higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) compare to the general population. Firefighters are constantly exposed to various occupational hazards including toxic chemicals of fire residue and the toxic chemicals can effects development and progression of PD. Nevertheless, there were no studies about the association between exposure to chemical byproducts of combustion and the development of PD among firefighters. Thus the aim of this study is to look into existing researches regarding the effect of chemical byproducts of combustion on the development of PD. An extensive literature search was conducted to identify harmful chemical components of smoke and fire residue, using the PubMed database during November of 2016. We searched for relevant articles by combining several keywords that contained "Parkinson's disease" and each of the different toxic chemicals, yielding a total of 1401 articles. After applying the selection criteria, 12 articles were chosen. Chemical substances reported to have a harmful effect on PD, in at least one article, were carbon monoxide, toluene, manganese and lead. Carbon monoxide and metal substances including manganese and lead were found to be associated with an increased PD risk in more than two articles. There was a heightened risk of PD in firefighters due to exposure of chemical byproducts of combustion including carbon monoxide, toluene, manganese and lead. However, to the best of our knowledge, to support this result we need more systematic epidemiological studies about these risk factors of PD among firefighters. In addition, further studies for the effects of prolonged exposure to toxic fire residue on the development and progression of PD in firefighters are needed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.520-529
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• 2019

This study is intended to provide basic data for health management of firefighters in the future by empirically looking into health hazard factors of firefighters in Busan City. It was revealed that firstly, the danger of harmful chemicals in a fire was perceived the most by firefighters, who extinguish a fire in person on the scene of a fire, and it was followed by the danger of falling while putting out a fire. This study is intended to provide basic data for health management of firefighters in the future by empirically looking into health hazard factors of firefighters in Busan City. It was revealed that firstly, the danger of harmful chemicals in a fire was perceived the most by firefighters, who extinguish a fire in person on the scene of a fire, and it was followed by the danger of falling while putting out a fire. Moreover, the danger of shift work was perceived the most by paramedics. This corresponds to the existing studies arguing that shift work is harmful to health. Next, the overload of patient transport was recognized as the second biggest hazard factor. This demonstrates they are worried about various second accidents that may happen due to a lot of patient transport works. In addition, the possibility of causing a traffic accident was perceived as a hazard factor too, since they must drive ambulance cars quickly to transport patients. Lastly, rescue workers regarded these hazard factors to be most dangerous. This is associated with their occupational characteristics, because rescue workers are the closest to diverse risks including a fire.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.161-169
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of sleep quality on mental health and quality of life of firefighters in the COVID-19. The results of this study were analyzed by SPSS Win(ver. 21.0) program, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study are summarized as follows. The quality of sleep of firefighters can predict the quality of sleep when the bedtime requirement is longer, and if the quality of sleep is not good, the deterioration of mental health and the quality of life can be predicted. It was confirmed that the quality of sleep of firefighters is an important factor affecting mental health and quality of life, Currently, the importance of improving the quality of infection control and emergency medical care is emerging due to COVID-19, but the analysis according to the characteristics of firefighters is insufficient. Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is necessary to develop and study the effectiveness of programs to alleviate the mental health problems of firefighters in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.242-252
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• 2022

Objectives: Firefighters and police officers are exposed to various occupational hazards. No studies in Korea have investigated the occurrence of cancer by type of cancer for the two occupations. This study aims to investigate the risk of occurrences associated with types of cancers in firefighters and police officers. Methods: Utilizing National Health Insurance(NHI) Claims data from 2006-2015, the study included 8,871,468 general workers, 25,001 firefighters, and 102,274 police officers. Using general workers as a control group, we calculated the standardized incidence ratios(SIR) by types of cancer for firefighters and police officers. After calculating the SIR for all subjects, the SIR was calculated by stratifying according to gender. Results: SIR of colon cancer 1.38(95% CI, 1.11-1.69), cancer of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts 1.27(95% CI, 1.04-1.54), and 1.88(95% CI, 1.28-2.65) bladder cancer were higher firefighters than general workers. SIR of Lip, oral cavity, and pharynx 1.26(95% CI, 1.07-1.47), Stomach 1.14(95% CI, 1.06-1.23), colon 1.33(95% CI, 1.21-1.46), liver and intrahepatic bile ducts 1.21(95% CI, 1.10-1.32), pancreas 1.24(95% CI, 1.02-1.49), other skin 1.60(95% CI, 1.26-2.00), bladder 1.27(95% CI, 1.04-1.54), other urinary tract 1.46(95% CI, 1.27-1.68), other parts of central nervous system 1.68(95% CI, 1.10-2.46) were higher police officers than general workers. Conclusions: Both firefighters and police officers are exposed to various cancer occurrence risks, necessitating the development of occupational medical protection measures to reduce risk exposure factors.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2022

Objective : This study investigated brain functional connectivity in male firefighters who showed subclinical post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Methods : We compared the data of 17 firefighters who were not diagnosed with PTSD and 18 healthy controls who had no trauma exposure. The following instruments were applied to assess psychiatric symptoms: Korean version of the Post-traumatic stress disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5-K), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). For all subjects, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and functional connectivity was compared between the two groups (family-wise error-corrected p<0.05). Additionally, correlations between psychiatric symptoms and functional connectivity were explored. Results : The following connectivity was higher than that of healthy controls: 1) the central opercular cortex-superior temporal gyrus, 2) planum polare-parahippocampal gyrus, 3) angular gyrus-amygdala, and 4) temporal fusiform cortex-parahippocampal gyrus. The functional connectivity of 1) the lateral occipital cortex-inferior temporal gyrus, 2) superior parietal lobule-caudate, and 3) middle temporal gyrus-thalamus were lower in firefighters. In firefighters, the connectivity of the planum polare-parahippocampal gyrus showed a negative correlation with the severity of arousal symptoms (rho=-0.586, p=0.013). The connectivity of the middle temporal gyrus-thalamus showed a positive correlation with the severity of intrusion (rho=0.552, p=0.022) and arousal symptoms (rho=0.619, p=0.008). The connectivity of the temporal fusiform cortex-parahippocampal gyrus was negatively correlated with intrusion (rho=-0.491, p=0.045) and arousal (rho=-0.579, p=0.015). Conclusion : Our results indicate that the brain functional connectivity is associated with occupational trauma exposure in firefighters without PTSD. Therefore, this study provides evidence that close monitoring and early intervention are important for firefighters with traumatic experience even at a subthreshold level.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.109-117
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• 2012

The author analyzed and compared the relationship mechanism among measured variables effecting to posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic stress, psychological wellbeing, and depression in the case of 360 policemen and 360 firefighters working in Korean police stations and fire stations by the structural equation modeling. The results showed that firefighters' posttraumatic stress deteriorated psychological wellbeing and depression more than policemen's posttraumatic stress did. In conclusion, systematic prevention and management program for posttraumatic stress and mental health of public servants are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual performance of Korean firefighter's clothing through comparisons with protective clothing used in the United State, surveys of firefighter's opinion, and experiments on the material used in Korean firefighter's clothing. The paper presents experimental results as well as ways to improve current standards. The major results are as follows: 1. Korean protective clothing is too thin and too heavy. Thicker, lighter, and more heat- resistant fabric and a lighter trim should be used. 2. Korean protective clothing is not very water-resistant. A Water-resistant outershell and an innerliner which are made of air permeable and water resistant fabric must be used. 3. Korean protective clothing's outershell and innerliner should be made of fabric that is more heat-resistant, flame-resistant, and chemical resistant. 4. Protective clothing should be more brightly colored and its reflective tape should have greater reflectivity to make firefighters more visible. 5. The fastner currently used in Korean protective clothing consists of Velcro, a button, and a D-ring which can not be opened and closed quickly. A better fastener would have just velcro and a zipper. 6. The uniform for Korean firefighters consists of only a protective coat and boots. Protective trousers should be added to the standard uniform. Also, a thermal harrier should be used in winter to protect firefighters from the cold. 7. Korean firefighters should be provided with their own personal sets of protective clothing to ensure a proper fit.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.564-566
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• 2002

Protective clothing for firefighters typically consists of a flame resistant outer shell and inner layers. The inner layers are generally composed of a moisture barrier and a thermal barrier. On performing the task in fire place the heat and perspiration generated from the body become trapped inside the protective clothing. Those heat and moisture result into heat-stress and physical fatigue of fire fighter, which hinder the work. Therefore, the system of clothing designs and material layers must be chosen carefully to balance protection and comfort. 3 kinds of protective clothing of 3 layer structure were used in the experiment of physiological comfort. From the comparison of wear trials with the 3 kinds of layers in firefighters clothing, it indicates that the moisture dissipation of A+B2+C was highest, following A+BI+C andA+B3+C. And the heat dissipation of A+BI+C and A+B2+C were better than A+B3+C. In the protective clothing with A+B3+C, heat and perspiration generated through exercise remained in clothing system long and caused discomfort.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2016

Objective : One of the aims of this study was to confirm the relationship in firefighters who have a high risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder. We also explored the mediation effects of resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG) on the association between traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Methods : A total of 677 firefighters were assessed in terms of the intensity of job-related traumatic experiences using the Visual Analogue Scale. They completed the Korean version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Korean version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Results : The intensity of traumatic experiences was significantly negatively related to the CD-RISC-10 score, but it was positively related to the PTGI and the IES-R scores. The CD-RISC-10 score had a significantly positive correlation with the PTGI score, but it was negatively correlated to the IES-R score. Path analyses revealed that resilience and PTG independently mediated the association between traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Conclusion : These results suggest that traumatic experiences contribute to posttraumatic stress symptoms and that these impacts may be mediated through resilience and PTG.