Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Vicki Schmidt
More than a song from Rocky IV or an exquisitely cut diamond, a heart on fire guides the soul of most firefighters. While firefighters possess no extraordinary emotional or physical powers, we do know their hearts, both figuratively and physically, need to possess exceptional strength and fortitude. Paradoxically, decade after decade, the leading cause of duty-related death among firefighters is sudden cardiac arrest.
All the pretty red hearts popping up to remind us that it’s the month for Valentines should also remind us February is Heart Health Awareness Month. It is critical that firefighters know their health, and it’s equally important for them to know what they can do to minimize heart related risks. Support and guidance from family, friends, and the community, are key to heart-strong firefighters.
Firefighting is a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding job. Not only are the high-adrenaline activities subject to dangers; heavy gear, toxic fumes, smoke and dehydration add additional heart related stress factors. Studies have proven that every system of a firefighter’s body is disrupted with firefighting activities, and no other occupational group experiences such intense cardiac strain.
What started out for Denise Smith, director of the Skidmore College First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, as “a pretty straightforward research study,” turned her career around. More than 30 years of research has given firefighters, and those who care about them, insight and answers for improving firefighter related heart-health initiatives. “We have shown that even in young, healthy firefighters, firefighting leads to maximal heart rates, decreases in blood volume and stroke volume, increased arterial stiffness, and increased blood clotting potential,” she said. These factors prime even the healthiest of firefighters for sudden cardiac arrest.
So as family, friends, and community members what can we do to help ensure our local firefighters are heart-healthy? Two national organizations, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have extensive resources. The NVFC “Heart-Healthy Firefighter Resource Guide” is ideal for firefighters and their families, while the IAFC’s “Cardiac Awareness Toolkit” is ideal for fire chiefs and municipal officials. Both programs showcase comprehensive information for assessing and reducing risk, as well a resource to help firefighters and departments get the help they need to design and implement successful heart-healthy programs.
How one defines a firefighter’s figurative heart is a much less exact science. One
thing we do know, keeping a firefighter’s emotional and spiritual heart healthy is as important as keeping his or her physical heart healthy. Assessing and reducing risk to address the core values and the inherent spirit of a firefighter is multifaceted, challenging, and dynamic. According to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, it is one reason annual firefighter suicide has outpaced firefighter line of duty deaths by 30 percent for the last eight years. The disturbing trend of suicide, 18 per 100,000 firefighters, is higher than that of law enforcement at 11-17 per 100,000 officers. Adding to this are studies that have determined rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorders among firefighters are five-times higher than the general population.
Joseph Woodall, from Peoria (Illinois) Fire Department, as part of his Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy explains, “Firefighters are an emotionally resilient population when dealing with their work. It could be concluded that the very essence of emergency services work is what creates and nourishes this resiliency.”
He said that if localities are to ensure firefighter wellness, “we need greater focus on the firefighter’s inherent and experience-garnered coping skills.” Woodall’s research establishes the importance of a firefighter’s ability to ground him/herself within support systems, and the importance of comprehensive organizational support development.
We all play an important role in the physical and affectional heart-healthy wellness of our firefighters. Being part of a holistic approach to heart-healthy awareness and activities for your local firefighters is easier than one might think:
• All firefighters enjoy home baked goodies, if this is your passion, bake with apples or berries and other healthier alternatives. Complementary fresh fruit, water, coffee or juice is always appreciated too!
• Support and encourage local programs that support cardiac risk assessment and management designed for firefighters.
• If knowledge regarding trauma, sleep deprivation, circadian, or other activities is your specialty, offer to present a workshop for your local emergency services.
• Work to sponsor any of the heart-healthy online resources from the National Volunteer Firefighter, the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, or the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
And most importantly, never underestimate the value of taking time to give a heartfelt “thank you” to any first responder. And especially an extra “take good care of your heart” to any firefighter.
— Vicki Schmidt is a Maine state fire instructor and volunteers with the Buckfield Fire Department, as well as several regional and state fire training organizations.
