The value of occupational health and safety data: Perceptions of current data practices in the fire service.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Despite growing interest in utilizing firefighter health and safety data to reduce injuries and fatalities, there is little evidence on attitudes towards data. We examined fire service perceptions of data to inform future policies and practices.

Methods

We conducted focus groups and interviews with career firefighters, union representatives, and department leaders in Maryland and Virginia; and interviews with national leaders (March-November 2023).

Results

We conducted 35 interviews and 4 focus groups (65 participants). Departments collected health, injury, and exposure information to establish fitness for duty, facilitate benefits, conduct prevention, and advance administrative priorities. Leaders described cultural and resource limitations. Participants de

SUBMITTER: Topazian RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12826035 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature