Integrated Portable and Stationary Health Impact-Monitoring System for Firefighters.

The multi-layered negative effects caused by pollutants released into the atmosphere as a result of fires served as the stimulus for the development of a system that protects the health of firefighters operating in the affected area. A collaborative network comprising mobile and stationary Internet of Things (IoT) devices that are furnished with gas sensors, along with a remote server, constructs a resilient framework that monitors the concentrations of harmful emissions, characterizes the ambient air quality of the vicinity where the fire transpires, adopting European Air Quality levels, and communicates the outcomes via suitable applications (RESTful APIs and visualizations) to the stakeholders responsible for fire management decision making. Different experimental evaluations adopting separate contexts illustrate the operation of the infrastructure.

Prevalence and predictors of colon and prostate cancer screening among volunteer firefighters: The United States Firefighter Cancer Assessment and Prevention Study.

BACKGROUND: Although firefighters have increased risk for colon and prostate cancer, limited information exists on screening practices for these cancers in volunteer firefighters who compose two-thirds of the US fire service. We estimated the prevalence of colon and prostate cancer screening among volunteer firefighters using eligibility criteria from 4 evidence-based screening recommendations and evaluated factors influencing screening. METHODS: We evaluated colon (n = 569) and prostate (n = 498) cancer screening prevalence in a sample of US volunteer firefighters using eligibility criteria from the US Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF), National Fire Protection Association, American Cancer Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network. We assessed associations with fire service experience, demographics, and cancer risk perception based on USPSTF guidelines. RESULTS: For those eligible based on USPSTF guidelines, colon and prostate cancer screening prevalence was 51.7% (95% CI: 45.7, 57.8) and 48.8% (95% CI: 40.0, 57.6), respectively. Higher odds of colon and prostate cancer screening were observed with older age and with some college education compared to those with less education. Fire service experience and cancer risk perception were not associated with screening practices. CONCLUSION: This is the first large study to assess colon and prostate cancer screening among US volunteer firefighters based on different screening guidelines. Our findings suggest gaps in cancer prevention efforts in the US volunteer fire service. Promoting cancer screening education and opportunities for volunteer firefighters by their fire departments, healthcare professionals, and public health practitioners, may help to address the gaps.

Assessment of exposures to firefighters from wildfires in heavily contaminated areas of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.

The aim of this study was to assess the exposures received by firefighters engaged in extinguishing the large-scale wildfires in the most contaminated areas of the Ukrainian part of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in 2016 and 2020. The assessments are based on measurements of radionuclide airborne concentrations in the breathing zones of workers and at the aerosol sampling stations of the automated radiation monitoring system operated by SSE Ecocenter. During the wildfires, the radionuclide airborne concentrations increased by orders of magnitude compared to the background levels, reaching maximum values in the firefighting area of 1.20 ± 0.01 Bq m-3 for 90Sr, 0.18 ± 0.01 Bq m-3 for 137Cs, (1.8 ± 0.3) ∙10-4 Bq m-3 for 238Pu, (4.5 ± 0.7) ∙10-4 Bq m-3 for 239-240Pu, and (8.0 ± 1.3) ∙10-3 Bq m-3 for 241Pu. The internal effective doses to firefighters due to inhaled radionuclides did not exceed 2 µSv h-1 and were 3-5 times lower compared to the external dose of gamma radiation. Thus, the time of firefighting in the ChEZ will be limited by the external dose.

Assessment of PAH exposure and health risks among South Korean firefighters based on urinary PAH metabolites.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) comprise a group of compounds resulting from the incomplete combustion of organic matter. Firefighters engaged in fire suppression are highly exposed to PAHs. This study centered on evaluating the exposure levels and health risks of PAHs in South Korean firefighters involved in firefighting activities. The concentrations of 10 PAH metabolites in the urine of firefighters were measured immediately after, and two weeks post their engagement in extinguishing a large tire factory fire. The levels of OH-PAHs in urine samples immediately after fire suppression were elevated by a factor of 1.01-1.84 compared to urine samples from non-exposed period. The median concentration of total PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) was higher in urine samples immediately after fire suppression (5910 ng/g creatinine) than in urine samples from non-exposed periods (5020 ng/g creatinine). However, the ∑OH-PAH levels in firefighters' urine were related to personal habits such as smoking. The concentrations of all individual OH-PAHs in the urine samples of nonsmokers exhibited a substantial increase, ranging from 1.37 to 2.3 times, clearly demonstrating that firefighting activities were a substantial source of PAH exposure. The calculated values associated with the health risks stemming from exposure to PAHs, including carcinogenic risk, total estimated daily intake (TEDI), and hazard quotients/index (HQs/HI), all fell within acceptable limits, indicating negligible risk. However, the HQ/HI values and TEDI for individual and total PAH exposures, except those for naphthalene, were 1.36-2.00 times higher in firefighters' samples taken after firefighting operations compared to those during regular duty. This underscores the need for more comprehensive investigations to comprehend the singular impact of firefighting activities due to the diverse sources of PAH emissions in the environment.

Assessment of phthalate exposure at a fire site in Korean firefighters.

To determine phthalate exposure in 32 firefighters, the concentrations of urinary phthalate metabolites, immediately (exposure day) and three weeks (control day) after fire suppression, were compared. Mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-n-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), and total phthalates (∑phthalates) levels, and creatinine-adjusted levels of MBP, MBzP, and ∑phthalates were significantly higher on exposure day than on control day. Phthalate concentration was significantly higher in firefighters who performed the fire extinguishing tasks (geometric mean [GM], 149.9 µg/L) than in those who performed other tasks (GM 70.8 µg/L) (p = .012). The GM concentration of firefighters who were active ≤ 50 m from the fire was 119.0 µg/L, and 37.6 µg/L for those who were > 50 m away (p = .012). The GM concentration was significantly different (p = .039) in firefighters with subjective symptoms after fire suppression (151.9 µg/L) compared to those without symptoms (81.6 µg/L). This study showed that firefighters were exposed to phthalate.

Comparison of Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentrations in Incumbent and Recruit Firefighters and Longitudinal Assessment in Recruits.

OBJECTIVE: Firefighters are occupationally exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study objective was to compare serum PFAS concentrations in incumbent and recruit firefighters and evaluate temporal trends among recruits. METHODS: Serum PFAS concentrations were measured in 99 incumbent and 55 recruit firefighters at enrollment in 2015-2016, with follow-up 20 to 37 months later for recruits. Linear and logistic regression and linear mixed-effects models were used for analyses. Fireground exposure impact on PFAS concentrations was investigated using adjusted linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Incumbents had lower n-PFOA and PFNA than recruits and most PFAS significantly decreased over time among male recruits. No significant links were found between cumulative fireground exposures and PFAS concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Serum PFAS concentrations were not increased in incumbent firefighters compared with recruits and were not associated with cumulative fireground exposures.

The Relative Burden of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in Firefighters: An Analysis of Washington Workers' Compensation Claims, 2006-2020.

Firefighters face many hazards on the job and have a high rate of work-related injuries and illnesses (WRII). We analyzed Washington workers' compensation claims from 2006-2020 to characterize WRII in firefighters compared to law enforcement officers and "all other" workers. There were 9187 compensable claims for firefighters, 7801 for law enforcement officers, and 586,939 for "all other" workers. Nearly 40% of claims for firefighters were work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The claim rate per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) firefighters was 716.4, which is significantly higher than that of law enforcement officers (510.0) and "all other" workers (163.2). The rate per 10,000 FTE of WMSD claims was also higher in firefighters (277.0) than in law enforcement officers (76.2) and "all other" workers (57.6). Additional WRII among firefighters commonly included being struck or caught in objects, slipping or tripping, and exposure to caustic or noxious substances; and amongst law enforcement, transportation accidents and violence. Medical costs and time-loss days per claim were lower for firefighters and law enforcement than for "all other" workers. Common tasks associated with WMSDs in firefighters included lifting and transporting patients, using specific tools and equipment, and physical training. WMSDs stand out as an area for prevention and intervention activities.

Community Fire Risk Reduction: Longitudinal Assessment for HomeSafe Fire Prevention Program in Canada.

(1) Background: Residential fires represent the third leading cause of unintentional injuries globally. This study aims to offer an overview and a longitudinal evaluation of the HomeSafe program implemented in Surrey in 2008 and to assess its effectiveness in mitigating fire-related outcomes. (2) Methods: Data were collected over a 12-year period (2008-2019). Assessed outcomes comprised frequency of fire incidents, residential fires, casualties, functioning smoke alarms, and contained fires. The effectiveness of each initiative was determined by comparing the specific intervention group outcome and the city-wide outcome to the pre-intervention period. (3) Results: This study targeted 120,349 households. HomeSafe achieved overwhelming success in decreasing fire rates (-80%), increasing functioning smoke alarms (+60%), increasing the percentage of contained fires (+94%), and decreasing fire casualties (-40%). The study findings confirm that the three most effective HomeSafe initiatives were firefighters' visits of households, inspections and installations of smoke alarms, and verifications of fire crew alarms at fire incidents. Some initiatives were less successful, including post-door hangers (+12%) and package distribution (+15%). (4) Conclusions: The HomeSafe program effectively decreased the occurrence and magnitude of residential fires. Lessons learned should be transferred to similar contexts to implement an evidence-based, consistent, and systematic approach to sustainable fire prevention initiatives.

An examination of psychometric properties of study quality assessment scales in meta-analysis: Rasch measurement model applied to the firefighter cancer literature.

Most existing quality scales have been developed with minimal attention to accepted standards of psychometric properties. Even for those that have been used widely in medical research, limited evidence exists supporting their psychometric properties. The focus of our current study is to address this gap by evaluating the psychometrics properties of two existing quality scales that are frequently used in cancer observational research: (1) Item Bank on Risk of Bias and Precision of Observational Studies developed by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and (2) Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOQAS). We used the Rasch measurement model to evaluate the psychometric properties of two quality scales based on the ratings of 49 studies that examine firefighters' cancer incidence and mortality. Our study found that RTI and NOQAS have an acceptable item reliability. Two raters were consistent in their assessment, demonstrating high interrater reliability. We also found that NOQAS has more items that show better fit than the RTI scale. The NOQAS produced lower study quality scores with a smaller variation, suggesting that NOQAS items are much easier to rate. Our findings accord with a previous study, which conclude that the RTI scale was harder to apply and thus produces more heterogenous quality scores than NOQAS. Although both RTI and NOQAS showed high item reliability, NOQAS items are better fit to the underlying construct, showing higher validity of internal structure and stronger psychometric properties. The current study adds to our understanding of the psychometric properties of NOQAS and RTI scales for future meta-analyses of observational studies, particularly in the firefighter cancer literature.

Workers' compensation injury claims among firefighters in Ohio, 2001-2017.

BACKGROUND: Firefighters are at high risk for nonfatal and fatal occupational injuries. While some past research has quantified firefighter injuries using various data sources, Ohio workers' compensation injury claims data largely have not been used. METHODS: Public and private firefighter claims, including volunteer and career firefighters, from Ohio's workers' compensation data for 2001-2017 were identified based on occupational classification codes and manual review of the occupation title and injury description. The task during injury (firefighting, patient care, training, other/unknown, etc.) was manually coded based on the injury description. Injury claim counts and proportions were described across claim type (medical-only or lost-time), worker demographics, task during injury, injury events, and principal diagnoses. RESULTS: 33,069 firefighter claims were identified and included. Most claims were medical-only (66.28%, <8 days away from work) and involved males (93.81%) aged 25-54 years (86.54%). While the task during injury could not be categorized for many narratives (45.96%), the largest percentage that could be categorized occurred during firefighting (20.48%) and patient care (17.60%). The most common injury events were overexertion involving outside sources (31.33%) and struck by objects or equipment (12.68%). The most frequent principal diagnoses were back, lower extremity, and upper extremity sprains (16.02%, 14.46%, and 11.98%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a preliminary basis for the development of focused firefighter injury prevention programming and training. Obtaining denominator data, enabling rate calculation, would strengthen the risk characterization. Based on the current data, prevention efforts focusing on the most frequent injury events and diagnoses may be warranted.

Assessment of firefighter-training effectiveness in China based on human-factor parameters and machine learning.

BACKGROUND: The emergency rescue ability of firefighters is particularly important in the event of major disasters or accidents. Therefore, an assessment of the firefighter-training effectiveness is necessary. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to achieve a scientific and effective assessment of the firefighter-training effectiveness in China. An assessment method based on human factor parameters and machine learning was proposed. METHOD: The model is constructed by collecting the corresponding human factor parameters such as electrocardiographic signals, electroencephalographic signals, surface electromyographic signals, and photoplethysmographic signals through wireless sensors and using them as constraint indicators. For the problems of weak human factor parameters and high noise proportion, an improved flexible analytic wavelet transform algorithm is used to denoise and extract the corresponding feature values. To overcome the limitations of traditional assessment methods, improved machine learning algorithms are used to comprehensively assess the training effectiveness of firefighters and provide targeted training suggestions. RESULTS: The effectiveness of this study's evaluation method is verified by comparing it with the expert scoring method and considering firefighters from a special fire station in Xhongmen, Daxing District, Beijing, as an example. CONCLUSION: This study can effectively guide the scientific training of firefighters and the method is more objective and accurate than the traditional method.

Cancer in female firefighters: The clinicobiological, psychological, and social perspectives.

Objectives: This study explored how demographic characteristics, life experiences, and firefighting exposures have an impact on cancer among female firefighters, and described the types and biologic characteristics of cancers as reported by women in the fire service. Methods: The online survey was available from June 2019 to July 2020. Questions related to demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, firefighting exposures, and cancer diagnoses. Descriptive analyses characterized variables by the presence or absence of cancer. Qualitative data provided insight into both firefighting and cancer experiences among women. Results: There were 1,344 female firefighter respondents from 12 different countries, 256 of whom provided information on their cancer diagnosis. North American respondents made up 92% of the total. Those with cancer were older, had been in the fire service longer, had more career fires and toxic exposures, and were less likely to still be in active service. They also reported more tobacco use, and more full-term pregnancies. There were no differences in family history of cancer between the two groups. The average age at diagnosis was 39.0 years. The major types of cancer reported included breast (25.4%), cervical (21.1%), melanoma (20.7%), base cell/skin (16.4%), and uterine (14.8%). The cancer was detected when seeking medical attention for symptoms (42.1%), during routine health screening (29.8%), and during specific cancer screening (28.1%). The stage of cancer was reported by 44.5%, and 30.9% included the histopathological grade. Treatments included surgery (72.7%), chemotherapy (14.8%), radiotherapy (13.7%), and observation (13.7%). Challenges associated with cancer included psychosocial (33.2%), financial (18.8%), physical (6.6%), and spiritual (6.3%). Concerns about reporting a cancer experience to their employer included the desire to keep health information private (11.3%), a feeling of vulnerability (7.4%), and being perceived as weak (7.0%). Lack of support from their employer or insurer was also noted. Conclusion: Female firefighters experienced a wide variety of different types of cancers which may come earlier than similar cancers in the public. These findings can help inform resource allocation, the development of new policies, and the need for broader presumptive coverage to support female firefighters diagnosed with cancer.

Assessment of coarse, fine, and ultrafine particulate matter at different microenvironments of fire stations.

The concentrations of respirable particulate matter (PM) and the impact on indoor air quality in occupational settings remains poorly characterized. This study assesses, for the first time, the cumulative and non-cumulative concentrations of 14 fractions of coarse (3.65-9.88 µm), fine (0.156-2.47 µm), and ultrafine (0.015-0.095 µm) PM inside the garage of heavy vehicles, firefighting personal protective equipment' storage room, bar, and a common area of seven Portuguese fire stations. Sampling campaigns were performed during a regular work week at the fire stations. Levels of daily total cumulative PM ranged from 277.4 to 413.2 µg/m3 (maximum values of 811.4 µg/m3), with the bar (370.1 µg/m3) and the PPE' storage room (361.3 µg/m3) presenting slightly increased levels (p > 0.05) than the common area (324.8 µg/m3) and the garage (339.4 µg/m3). The location of the sampling site, the proximity to local industries and commercial activities, the layout of the building, the heating system used, and indoor sources influenced the PM concentrations. Fine (193.8-301.0 µg/m3) and ultrafine (41.3-78.2 µg/m3) particles were predominant in the microenvironments of all fire stations and accounted for 71.5% and 17.8% of daily total cumulative levels, respectively; coarse particles (23.3-47.1 µg/m3) represented 10.7% of total PM. The permissible exposure limit (5.0 mg/m3) defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Organization for respirable dust was not overcome in the evaluated fire stations. Results suggest firefighters' regular exposure to fine and ultrafine PM inside fire stations which will contribute to cardiorespiratory health burden. Further studies are needed to characterize firefighters' exposure to fine and ultrafine PM inside fire stations, identify main emission sources, and evaluate the contribution of exposures at fire stations to firefighters' occupational health risks.

Development of the Korean Firefighter Performance Battery: Job-Related Physical Fitness Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The Candidate Physical Capability Test (CPAT) has been used in many countries to assess the fitness levels of firefighters, but it requires a special facility with a space of at least 900 square m 2 and expensive equipment. Because it can be difficult to have both money and space at smaller gas stations, we have developed the Korean Firefighter Performance Battery (KFPB). METHODS: To verify the validity and reliability of the developed KFPB, this study consists of three parts, a validation test, reliability test, and evaluation criterion. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, the KFPB met all of the criteria as a valid evaluation. Furthermore, the KFPB seems to compensate for the shortcomings of CPAT. CONCLUSIONS: In locations where the CPAT is difficult to administer, the KFPB is expected to be used as a firefighting job-related physical fitness evaluation.

Workers' Compensation Claims for Conditions Presumed to Be Occupational Diseases Among Firefighters in Washington State, 2000-2017.

OBJECTIVE: Occupational disease presumption laws for firefighters are common, yet little is known about the workers' compensation claims filed for them. METHODS: We identified Washington State's workers' compensation claims for conditions covered by presumption among firefighters during 2000 to 2017, and described them by disease type and claim characteristics. Claim rates for specific cancers were compared with statewide incidence rates using the Washington State cancer registry. RESULTS: Firefighters filed 330 claims for conditions covered by presumption (heart problems, 43%; cancer, 35%; respiratory disease, 15%; and infectious diseases, 8%), with acceptance rates varying by disease and insurer type. Cancer claims were associated with the highest claim costs and time loss. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides necessary baseline data to understand the impact of presumption laws on workers' compensation systems, and can inform future decisions presumption law expansions for firefighters.

Exposure and Risk Assessment of Korean Firefighters to PBDEs and PAHs via Fire Vehicle Dust and Personal Protective Equipment.

In this study, the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were characterized in firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e., jackets, pants, hoods, and gloves) and vehicle dust wipe samples to assess the exposure and potential risk of firefighters to these combustion-related toxic pollutants. The mean levels of ∑PBDEs in the fire vehicle dust samples (778 and 449 pg/cm2 for pump trucks and command cars, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the private vehicles (31.2 pg/cm2) (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05), which was similar to the ∑PAH levels (521, 185, and 46.8 pg/cm2 for pump trucks, command cars, and private vehicles, respectively). In the case of firefighters' PPE, the levels of ∑PBDEs and ∑PAHs in used jackets and pants were found to be, respectively, 70- to 2242-folds and 11- to 265-folds higher than those in their unused counterparts. Biomass/petroleum combustion was found to be the main source of PAH contamination in fire vehicle dust and used PPE in the present study. Both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks via vehicle dust ingestion and dermal absorption from wearing of PPE were within permissible limits, although the relative risk evaluation showed that PAH/PBDE absorption via wearing of PPE could pose a higher likelihood of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks than the ingestion of pollutants via fire vehicle dust, warranting the need for appropriate management of firefighters' personal protective ensembles.

End-stage renal disease incidence in a cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

BACKGROUND: Firefighters perform strenuous work in hot environments, which may increase their risk of chronic kidney disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and types of ESRD among a cohort of US firefighters compared to the US general population, and to examine exposure-response relationships. METHODS: ESRD from 1977 through 2014 was identified through linkage with Medicare data. ESRD incidence in the cohort compared to the US population was evaluated using life table analyses. Associations of all ESRD, systemic ESRD, hypertensive ESRD, and diabetic ESRD with exposure surrogates (exposed days, fire runs, and fire hours) were examined in Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for attained age (the time scale), race, birth date, fire department, and employment duration. RESULTS: The incidence of all ESRD was less than expected (standardized incidence ratio (SIR) = 0.79; 95% confidence interval = 0.69-0.89, observed = 247). SIRs for ESRD types were not significantly increased. Positive associations of all ESRD, systemic ESRD, and hypertensive ESRD with exposed days were observed: however, 95% confidence intervals included one. CONCLUSIONS: We found little evidence of increased risk of ESRD among this cohort of firefighters. Limitations included the inability to evaluate exposure-response relationships for some ESRD types due to small observed numbers, the limitations of the surrogates of exposure, and the lack of information on more sensitive outcome measures for potential kidney effects.

Construção e validação de instrumento para avaliação das medidas de biossegurança em bioterrorismo pelos bombeiros / Construction and validation of and assessment tool for biosafety measures in bioterrorism for firefighters / Construcción y validación de un instrumento para evaluar las medidas de bioseguridad en el bioterrorismo de los bomberos

Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e validar um instrumento de avaliação das medidas de Biossegurança adotadas pelos bombeiros militares, para a contenção dos agentes biológicos frente a um evento de bioterrorismo. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo descritivo de abordagem quantitativa, de desenvolvimento metodológico e do tipo de validação de conteúdo de um instrumento de avaliação. O estudo foi dividido nas fases de desenvolvimento e validação do instrumento. Para o desenvolvimento do instrumento foram feitas revisões da literatura e para a validação do instrumento foi utilizado o método Delphi. Para o estudo foram incluídos 6 juízes que avaliaram o instrumento através da escala numérica tipo Likert. Resultados: Os juízes avaliaram que o instrumento proposto está bem estruturado, possuindo boa clareza e coesão de escrita, com aplicabilidade no campo de estudo e de grande relevância, principalmente em vista a ausência desse tipo de instrumento para a população de bombeiros militares. Para avaliar a concordância entre os juízes foi utilizado o índice de Validade de Conteúdo, que alcançou 98% de concordância e o Índice de Fidedignidade Interavaliadores, que alcançou os conceitos bom e muito bom, mostrando baixa variância das respostas dos juízes, sendo estatisticamente válido. Conclusão: O estudo descreveu o processo de construção e validação do instrumento, provando ser apropriado e confiável para ser utilizado.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to assess the Biosafety measures adopted by firefighters, for the containment of biological agents in the face of a bioterrorism event. Methods: This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, methodological development, and the type of content validation of an assessment instrument. The study was divided into instrument development and validation phases. For the development of the instrument, literature reviews were conducted and for the instrument validation, the Delphi method was used. For the study, 6 judges were included who evaluated the instrument using the Likert-type numerical scale. Results: The judges evaluated that the proposed instrument is well structured, with good clarity and cohesion of writing, with applicability in the field of study and of great relevance, especially considering the absence of this type of instrument for the military firefighter population. To evaluate the agreement between the judges, we used the Content Validity Index which reached 98% of agreement and the Interrate agreement, which reached the concepts good and very good, showing low variance of the judges' answers, being statistically valid. Conclusion: The study described the process of construction and validation of the instrument, proving to be appropriate and reliable to be used.

Objetivo: Este estudio tenía como objetivo desarrollar y validar un instrumento para evaluar las medidas de bioseguridad adoptadas por los bomberos militares para contener los agentes biológicos durante un evento de bioterrorismo. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo de abordaje cuantitativo, de desarrollo metodológico y del tipo de validación de contenido de un instrumento de evaluación. El estudio se dividió en las fases de desarrollo y validación del instrumento. Para la elaboración del instrumento se realizaron revisiones bibliográficas y para la validación del mismo se utilizó el método Delphi. Para el estudio se incluyeron 6 jueces que evaluaron el instrumento mediante una escala numérica tipo Likert. Resultados: Los jueces evaluaron que el instrumento propuesto está bien estructurado, poseyendo buena claridad y cohesión de redacción, con aplicabilidad en el campo de estudio y de gran relevancia, especialmente en vista de la ausencia de este tipo de instrumento para la población de bomberos militares. Se utilizó el Índice de Validez de Contenido para evaluar la concordancia entre los jueces, alcanzando un 98% de acuerdo y el Índice de Fiabilidad Inter-registrador, que alcanzó conceptos buenos y muy buenos, mostrando una baja varianza en las respuestas de los jueces, siendo estadísticamente válido. Conclusión: El estudio describió el proceso de construcción y validación del instrumento, demostrando ser apropiado y confiable para ser utilizado.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Mental Health Training and Educational Needs of Firefighters, Paramedics, and Public Safety Communicators in Canada.

Background-Public safety personnel (PSP) are at heightened risk of developing mental health challenges due to exposures to diverse stressors including potentially psychologically traumatic experiences. An increased focus on protecting PSP mental health has prompted demand for interventions designed to enhance resilience. While hundreds of available interventions are aimed to improve resilience and protect PSPs' mental health, research evidence regarding intervention effectiveness remains sparse. Methods-Focus groups with PSP elicited a discussion of psychoeducational program content, preferred modes of program delivery, when such training should occur, and to whom it ought to be targeted. Results-The results of thematic analyses suggest that PSP participants feel that contemporary approaches to improving mental health and resilience are lacking. While welcomed, the provision of sporadic one-off mental health and resilience programs by organizations was seen as insufficient, and the available organizational mental health supports were perceived as being questionable. The available programs also left participants feeling insufficiently prepared to deal with personal mental health problems and in discussing mental health concerns with co-workers. Conclusions-Participants reported needing more engaging methods for delivering information, career-long mental health knowledge acquisition, and a systems approach to improve the workplace culture, particularly regarding mental health.

Assessment of Volatile Compound Transference through Firefighter Turnout Gear.

There is high concern about the exposure of firefighters to toxic products or carcinogens resulting from combustion during fire interventions. Firefighter turnout gear is designed to protect against immediate fire hazards but not against chemical agents. Additionally, the decontamination of firefighter personal protective equipment remains unresolved. This study evaluated the feasibility of a screening method based on headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) in combination with chemometrics (cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and linear discriminant analysis) for the assessment of the transference of volatile compounds through turnout gear. To achieve this, firefighter turnout gears exposed to two different fire scenes (with different combustion materials) were directly analyzed. We obtained a spectral fingerprint for turnout gears that were both exposed and non-exposed to fire scenes. The results showed that (i): the contamination of the turnout gears is different depending on the type of fire loading; and (ii) it is possible to determine if the turnout gear is free of volatile compounds. Based on the latest results, we concluded that HS-GC-IMS can be applied as a screening technique to assess the quality of turnout gear prior to a new fire intervention.