7 Common Firefighting Injuries and Ways to Limit Them

In the Central Valley and anywhere, first responders are the first line of defense when it comes to emergency response. Three major branches of first responders include firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, with each being an incredible part of public safety.

We’ll focus on the first branch by discussing some common firefighter injuries related to the first responder industry. Firefighters represent nearly 30,000 workers throughout the state of California. They are highly trained and are equipped to handle a wide variety of emergencies, but along with that comes a variety of workplace injuries. According to NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 80 to 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year. 

Common injuries related to Firefighting jobs:

1. Fires and explosions

Fires of any kind can reach extreme temperatures that cannot be withstood for long periods of time. Fires can easily result in third-degree burns and explosions can easily kill someone from the force of the impact alone. However, they can also release toxic chemicals and cause other parts of buildings to collapse which may make it impossible to escape.

2. Smoke inhalation

Despite wearing PPE, firefighters are still constantly exposed to toxic smoke which can have devastating impacts including coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, eye irritation, burning in the nose/throat, chest pain, and death which is common from all the smoke they deal with.

3. Exposure to toxic chemicals

Firefighters often deal with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can end up in their lungs and lead to serious illnesses. Likewise, during the course of their duty, they may be exposed to chemical spills or other hazardous materials that can also pose a serious risk.

4. Animal related injuries 

Animals may be displaced by a storm or flood, and may become aggressive in order to protect their territory or young. Animal-related attacks can cause injuries to firefighters and can also hamper their ability to do their job.

In the central valley, this can be especially prevalent due to the high concentration of wild animals in the area, including coyotes, bears, and mountain lions.

5. Extreme weather conditions

Extreme weather conditions can include storms (such as hurricanes, typhoons, and tornadoes), floods, high winds, and heat waves. These conditions can cause a number of dangers for firefighters, including high winds knocking firefighters down, floods washing them away, and extreme heat causing dehydration and illness. Structures may also collapse without any notice due to storms. 

6. Falls from large heights

Many firefighters have to climb to great heights in buildings utilizing the help of ladders or other climbing equipment to get the job done, but falling could easily result in broken bones, severe brain damage, and even death.

7. Mental Fatigue

Firefighting is an incredibly stressful job from dealing with long hours, uncomfortable conditions, and the constant presence of death. This can easily lead to stress and other psychological issues. When you’re not in the right headspace to take on life or death situations, it can affect the work being done and lead to other issues, both physical and mental, down the road.   

Luckily, there are a variety of precautions and measures that can be taken to help prevent or lower the risk of being injured while working as a firefighter. It is important to be mindful of these practices when entering any kind of first responder workforce regardless of if it’s your 1st day or 1,001st day. Good safety habits followed across the board can prevent injuries and save lives.   

Ways to limit serious firefighter related injuries

1. Commit to proper safety training: 

Proper training done on a frequent schedule is a key way to prevent injuries from happening in the workplace. If everyone knows and follows tested safety protocols, people are more likely to get out alive.

Likewise, undergoing frequent and proper training procedures for dealing with fires or hazards in any and all possible scenarios will lead to a higher safety standard for all parties involved. 

2. Get good sleep so you are alert at all times

Because firefighters can work for extended periods of time and the job deals with life or death situations, good sleep is essential for safety. The CDC recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep and a positive, consistent nightly routine that is free of caffeine and electronic devices close to bedtime. 

3. Wear necessary protective equipment at all times: 

Wearing proper safety equipment is essential to limiting the possibility of a workplace injury. Some of the helpful ways to stay safe are by wearing a mask to lower the impact of airborne illnesses and smoke inhalation, and putting on flame retardant suits to prevent burns. Each of these will help keep you safe from the various hazards you may face on a daily basis as a firefighter.

4. Be able to be contacted at all times

Keeping an open line of communication when entering a fire or disaster zone is essential. If anything happens, your fellow firefighters can respond quickly which can be the difference between life and death. Making sure radios and other communication devices are working properly and practicing worst case scenarios are great ways to be prepared in case of any communication breakdown.   

5. Drink plenty of water and take breaks when necessary

To protect themselves from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, firefighters should drink plenty of water and take breaks in a shaded area if possible. Rotating with other members of the crew may be necessary to compose yourself when dealing with a large fire such as in a forest or large building.

6. Be aware of your surroundings at all times

Anything can happen at any time during a fire, so being aware of all that is going on around you is a vital part of keeping everyone you work with safe and injury-free. It also increases the odds of getting everyone out safely.

7. Frequently update equipment and make sure they are up to code

Old equipment can lead to many injuries or death since they are not up to the same standards and regulations as current equipment. Make sure all masks, hoses, and suits are up to the highest standards.

8. Keep any harmful chemicals from contacting the skin, eyes, or mouth

Taking the necessary precautions to avoid damage from chemicals through protective equipment and proper maintenance is a sure-fire way to prevent unnecessary injuries. 

Firefighters put themselves and their safety on the line every time they get called into work. The very nature of their job can be life and death, and they help to keep us safe and healthy when in the most dire of situations. Thank you for all the work that you do to make sure we are protected.

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Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.