Introduction/ framework/ objectives:

Firefighters have a high-risk activity. Although the dangers are well identified, there are few studies that explore the awareness of these individuals regarding the challenges that professional practice brings to their health. In this sense it is intended with this study to know the perception of firefighters regarding the various risks inherent in operational activity, how they see individual and collective protective measures, how they identify the main occupational accidents, health complaints and beliefs, potential occupational diseases, as well as documenting how they perceive the follow-up they received from occupational health teams.

Methodology:

This is an observational descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted through an anonymous online questionnaire. The sample was obtained for convenience after contact with several institutions related to this professional sector. Each professional contacted was able to respond only once using the link provided.

Results:

Fifty-eight firefighters responded to the survey. At the personal level, the high prevalence of overweight or obesity stands out, although there is awareness of its negative interference with health and professional activity. Most individuals listed the main factor risks as stress, thermal discomfort, manual transport of heavy loads, burns, night or extended shifts and the biological material. Among the personal protective equipment, the lack of access to hearing protectors, security shoes and respiratory protection equipment is highlighted, being non-adherence behaviors more intense to the use of visor, goggles and respiratory protection. The main complaints focus on stress and musculoskeletal injuries resulting from the activity, also fundamental factors for the enumeration of potential occupational diseases. The monitoring by the occupational health team is generally lower than what is set by law.

Discussion/ Conclusions:

The study reflects the perceptions of a small sample of firefighters, more educated and young, than the general firefighter population, which makes it possible to suspect a higher level of literacy as bias to take into account. Research highlights the urgent need to strengthen support for management, mental health and physical exertion to prevent post-traumatic stress or musculoskeletal injuries. Secondly, it seems necessary in some contexts to make efforts to provide and value the existence of effective occupational health and safety services capable of overseeing and promoting the health of firefighters, preventing accidents and preventing the development of disease associated.

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