This partnership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), with assistance from the faculty of Oregon Health and Science University, studied the impacts of sleep deprivation on human performance in the fire and emergency services. It also examined the effects of immediately being awoken.
The study report, The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders, along with its accompanying computer-based educational program, presents background information on normal sleep physiology and the health and performance effects of sleep deprivation. Topics covered include driver performance, firefighting, providing medical care, and managing and commanding incidents. Countermeasures for sleep deprivation are also reviewed, which relate to identifying those particularly susceptible to risks of sleep deprivation, individual mitigating strategies, and work-related issues.
Also developed as part of this project were two sleep deprivation videos: the first is a one-on-one instructional video that discusses the effects of sleep deprivation on firefighters and EMS responders, and the second contains similar information in a more objective, lecture style format. The goal of the USFA and IAFC was to provide two video formats to accommodate the different training settings and learning styles of the diverse fire service audience.
The issue of sleep deprivation and the effects of immediately being awoken in the fire and emergency services are of concern not just because of the potential health and safety impact to emergency responders, but also to the general public they protect.
The report, videos and related training materials are available on the IAFC Website.
Last Reviewed: August 7, 2012
Happy New Year! Add this resolution to the top of your list: test all home smoke alarms each month - starting today! January 1, 2013 @ 10:04 AM ET
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