Safety Heath and Survival ROTW: Responder Cardiac Problems
Near Miss Report ROTW: CPR Provider Experiences Cardiac Problems “Just two days after having worked a 17 hour hazardous materials incident (in which I was in full SCBA and air pack for most of the time) I assisted another agency with a traumatic cardiac arrest.”………”During the assist I performed CPR for about half of the transport, which totaled almost 40 minutes with a total of four providers in the back of the unit. About an hour after the event, I began to experience chest discomfort, in the form of a dull ache. As the evening progressed, it turned into pressure and pain radiating into my neck, jaws, back and arms. I thought I had pulled a muscle or had an ulcer. I self-transported to a local emergency room ……….I was air lifted to a cardiac care hospital where I underwent a cardiac catheterization which showed a 95 percent blockage, and had a stent placed. Before the event I had not had a cardiac history, but had a family history. I had not had a stress test in about five years or a yearly physical because the department did not require them.”
Are We Listening??
Numbers Don’t Lie
Numbers Don’t Lie
How Old Are You? In 2016, 50% of the firefighters over the age of 40 died from cardiac events. How many members of your department are in this age range?
Physicals and Rehab Encourage annual physicals either through the department, or individually. NFPA 1582 has a guide for physicians performing firefighter physicals.
Physicals and Rehab Establish rehab on all incidents requiring PPE, or when responders are subjected to extreme temperatures. Monitor vitals, including temperatures and cardiac monitoring. Can your EMS agency already help with this? They may already be dispatched to the scene.
Physical Fitness Even short increases in moderate aerobic activity can improve cardiac health. How could you start a fitness program in your department? Who could you partner with?
Why Are We Resistant? We know we are at risk We know what can happen. Why don’t we take action? What can you do in your department to help improve cardiac health?
QUESTIONS? SHARE YOUR STORY. Protect the next shift . . . International Association of Fire Chiefs Firefighter Near Miss Program NearMiss@IAFC.org Tel: (703) 273-0911 Fax: (703) 273-9363