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Personal Effects of Stress on Firefighters and Resources to Help Them

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Contents
Personal Effects of Stress on Firefighters and Resources to Help Them.....................................................3
Introduction and background.......................................................................................................................3
Literature Review........................................................................................................................................3
Methodology and Procedures......................................................................................................................6
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................7
References...................................................................................................................................................8
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Personal Effects of Stress on Firefighters and Resources to Help Them

Introduction and background

Like any other technical profession, firefighting is engulfed with ups and downs that

affect the personnel working in departments, and the impacts of the issues that face e have got

replications on the outcomes. People with stress and lack of pieces of equipment tend to be more

demoralized, together with stress and pressures to save, end up depressed and stressed hence do

not do what is required that would ensure that fire and infernos that they are supposed to put out

is some I the bests way possible and as first as possible. It becomes an uphill task when the same

member supposed to help the society and the communities are precisely the same that need help

in entering, of their protection and mental stability to some extent. The research focuses on

addressing some questions concerning the firefighting professions. They include the main

dangers that firefighter comes across in their line of duty. What are the causes of the stresses and

depression that the firefighters face in the line of profession? What are other challenges that they

face? What are the possible solutions, remedies, and cures for these challenges and the

hindrances they face in their line of duty?

Literature Review

First and foremost, we need to ask ourselves whether this line of professions faces any

dangers and hazards. Yes, it’s would lees logical to believe that there are no dangers that

firefighters come across because, in reality, every profession has its pros and cons. It may not be

easy to get to know them until one is employed in the same line of duty in different sectors so

that they get to understand the dynamics of the work (Abelsson, 2019). One of the bigger risks

that firefighters faces are the physical injuries from the collapsing structures and buildings. In

often cases, firefighters reach the fire incidents when the structure is almost burnt to the ground,
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and the moment they try to put out the fire, the structure breakage exposes them to the danger of

being harmed by the falling structures (Abelsson, 2019). Secondly, firefighters give the dangers

of the burns and the high level of smoke inhalation that the face may cause some conditions in

their bodies. A good example is the high fatality rate among the former firefighters due to the

asthmatic and lung conditions (Abelsson, 2019). It is attributed to the high levels of smoke

inhalation during their work. It is greatest that we realize that the firefighter faces some of the

jeopardizing incidents that may cause huge risks to their lives.

As a result of their profession, firefighters are susceptible to health hazards like, for

example, depression and stress. Many firefighters have ended up with stress for quite some

reason all over. The job descriptions, the responsibilities, and the duties that they are faced with

often expose them to the situation where they have to make difficult choices because of the

weight that rests on their backs (Duran et al., 2018). Some of the demands include saving

people's lives salvaging properties, among many other requirements. With this kind of duty,

firefighters often find themselves straining themselves to the extent that they damage their

mental stability because of the situation and the solution that they have to make. The difficult

decisions situation that they face forces them to get over what they can to accommodate in most

cases (Duran et al., 2018). It is o great essence that the fire fighter's mental health should be

prioritized because its largely impossible to be productive if one is unable to make their own

decision and be in their rights state of mind. Any profession needs the employees to be in their

right minds to be rational, straightforward, and visionary in whatever they are doing. We are all

aware that without being in the right state of mind, it is merely unable to carry out our jobs in the

best way possible.

Moreover, firefighters are victims of exhaustion and burnout. These are situations when

the fire outbreaks require them to go an extra mile in trying to combat the spread of the fire,

which in many cases may cause them fatigue, brain tumors, and burnout (Morman et al., 2020).

In some instances, due to the hard, difficult, and fast-paced work, some firefighters may pass out

while on duty to oxygen d deprivation o0f their bodies (Morman et al., 2020). Together with the

strong smoke and the oxygen deprivation, it causes them to fall victim to incidents and the rescue

emission they engage in.

With the challenges and the risks mentioned above, some different solutions and

remedies need to be implemented to develop the required solutions. First, the general

department and the sector of the firefighter need to be provided with the required equipment that

would prevent them and protect them from exposure to burns, which unless one hast the best

care and protective clothing, they face the danger of getting physical burns and even in some

cases death (Rajabi et al., 2020). Through interaction and interviews with different firefighters, it

is crystal clear that the firms and the companies haven't been doing enough to provide them with

protective clothing that would help them be protected against the scorching heat of the fire they

are fighting.

Secondly, it has been noticed that the sector has for long been underfunded. Increasing

the funding rate will provide a great environment for the growth and the development of the

sector to carter to the needs of their employees (Johnson, 2017). It will involve increasing the

rate of remuneration, increasing the delivery of the protective measures, and even also, it may

involve purchasing the transport vehicles and the pressure pipes that will enable the employees to

work and provide their service wherever they are required and be ready at all times because of

the uncertainties in the occurrences of the firm incidences (Johnson, 2017). With increased
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funding, the employees' morale increases because besides the salaries being increased, there will

be good rugged and protective material that ensures that they are efficiently prosecuting and

delivering their duties and are protecting themselves and the ones they love. Furthermore, it is of

great importance that because of the brutal nature of the profession, the employees need to

frequently visit psychiatrists to be able to access counseling, check-up, and medication whenever

situations arise (Johnson, 2017). It is better for early prevention than treating the problems.

Without attaining earlier care of the stress, they often turn into anxiety and depression and in the

long run turn into mental illness and n conditions that re very dangerous for the performance and

also to the one self’s wellbeing.

Furthermore, an improved communication system within the firefighting department will

increase the efficiency and the success rate of the whole procedure. We note the cause of the

fires, lateness, and destruction of the incidences in most cases. It results in late communication

hence a lesser chance of salvaging the situation in some situations (Johnson, 2017). The

department must invest heavily in improving the communications systems and medium in the

sector to ensure that the firefighter can be reached as early as possible so that they can salvage

the situation. We note that the success of the firefighter in most cases is merely dependent on

how fast they were able to reach the incident.

Methodology and Procedures

This research focuses on collecting data from the b former fighters, current fighters, and

aspiring firefighters. Through personal interviews, questionnaires, and looking up the data from

the articles and the reports from the department provided accurate information on the challenges

and risks they face. Also, through observation of the rescue missions undertaken in different

locations across the communities, we realize that firefighting is not only a profession but also a
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service. It is because of the risks that the people undertake in the name of helping and salvaging

the properties and the lives of people while at the same time putting theirs on the line.

Conclusion

The whole sectors, authorities, and the responsible parties must look and review the

budgets and the provisions that the firefighter is equipped with. The risks and challenges they

face reduce their rate of success in their duties and put their lives online because of the sacrifices

they make to save properties and lives. It is high time that they get noticed, acknowledged, and

increase their remuneration levels to increase and improve their morale to work and be

productive and successful.

References

Abelsson, A. (2019). First response emergency care–experiences described by firefighters.

International Journal of Emergency Services.

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJES-05-2018-0026/full/html

Duran, F., Woodhams, J., & Bishopp, D. (2018). An interview study of the experiences of

firefighters in regard to psychological contract and stressors. Employee Responsibilities

and Rights Journal, 30(3), 203-226. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10672-

018-9314-z

Johnson, K. (2017). SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center Supplemental Research

Bulletin Greater Impact: How Disasters Affect People of Low Socioeconomic Status.

Phys. Health Probl.

https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/dtac/supplementalresearchbulletin-

firstresponders-may2018.pdf

Morman, M. T., Schrodt, P., & Adamson, A. (2020). Firefighters’ job stress and the (un)

intended consequences of relational quality with spouses and firefighter friends. Journal

of social and personal relationships, 37(4), 1092-1113.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407519886355

Rajabi, F., Molaeifar, H., Jahangiri, M., Taheri, S., Banaee, S., & Farhadi, P. (2020).

Occupational stressors among firefighters: application of multi-criteria decision making

(MCDM) Techniques. Heliyon, 6(4), e03820.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020306654
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