Research

Public Safety Medical leads the fight in improving the health and safety of public safety personnel alongside our research partners.

• Harvard University School of Public Health
• Indiana University School of Public Health
• University of Maryland School of Public Health
• Oregon Health & Science University
• University of Arizona
• Skidmore College
• St. Vincent Health
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• National Institute for Public Safety Health

Key Statistics

HEART DISEASE

• The average age of a civilian heart attack is 66. The average age of a firefighter heart attack is 49.
  

  (Source: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 2005)

• Firefighters are 6.5 times more likely to die of cardiac-related chronic disease than the US population.
  

  (Source: Public Safety Medical / Bowen Research Center 2006)

• 1,440 non-fatal line-of-duty heart attacks occurred in 2010.
  

  (Source: National Fire Protection Association 2011)

• A firefighter’s risk of heart attack increases by up to 100 times at a working fire, even when performing less strenuous tasks.
  

  (Source: New England Journal of Medicine 2007)

• Studies have shown that in rescue operations, firefighters operate at 100% of their predicted heart rate maximum for up to 20 to 40 minutes.
  

  (Source: Indiana University 2007)

INJURY

• Overuse injuries (back, shoulder, and knee) are the most common types of fireground injuries, making up 2% of all duty-related injuries.
  

  (Source: United States Fire Administration 2006)

• 50% of early retirements are due to overuse injuries.
  

  (Source: International Association of Fire Fighters 2000)

• One in every three firefighters gets injured each year.
  

  (Source: International Association of Fire Fighters 2000)

CANCER

• Firefighters are twice as likely to develop testicular cancer.
  

  Source: University of Cincinnati 2006

Active Areas of Research

Harvard School of Public Health

1. FEMA 2012-2015 (in process)
   Non-invasive imaging to determine prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and cardiomegaly among firefighters along with quantifying major risk factors for LVH/cardiomegaly. Developing a prediction model and screening protocols.
2. FEMA 2009-2013 (in process)
   Cardiorespiratory fitness levels as a predictor of firefighters health and safety.Other areas of study and interest:
   1. Obstructive sleep apnea
   2. Cardiovascular disease in law enforcement

Indiana University School of Medicine – Bowen Research Center

1. Mortality in the Fire Service-Indianapolis Fire Department
   1970-2006 (published)
2. Mortality in the Fire Service – State of Indiana
   1970-2010 (in process)
3. Mortality in Law Enforcement – State of Indiana
   1970-2010 (in process)
4. Wellness-Fitness Initiative Impact upon a Cohort of Indianapolis Fire Department Firefighters
   2000-2008 (in submission)
5. Impact of a Health and Wellness Program on Health Risk Factors in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
   2008-2010 (in submission)
6. Cardiovascular Disease and Coronary Calcium Scoring in At-Risk Indianapolis Firefighters
   2011-2012 (in process)Other areas of study interest:
   1. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Public Safety Populations
   2. Work Performance Evaluation and Testing

University of Maryland

1. FEMA 2003-2005 (Published)
   Development of a National Standardized Minimum Medical Dataset for the Fire Service
2. FEMA 2013-2015 (in submission)
   Enhancing the National Fire Service Health, Wellness, and Fitness Web-Based Data Collection System

Oregon Health & Science University

1. Cost Justification of the Fire Service Wellness-Fitness Initiative 1991-2004 (Published)

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

1. Blood Pressure in Firefighters 2009-2010 (Published)

For more information on Public Safety Medical’s Institute for Public Safety Health, click here. 

If you would like to speak with a Public Safety Medical representative, please click here or call 317.972.1180.