The Effects of Heat and Emergencies on Firefighters in Oklahoma Throughout Their Careers

Abstract

Firefighting is commonly acknowledged as a hazardous profession. The problem that has been identified is the need for more intervention and mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of heat and emergencies on firefighters. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to analyze the current literature on the effects of heat and emergencies on firefighters and determine what strategies have been used to reduce the adverse effects of firefighting duties. The literature review was conducted utilizing articles published within the last five years that addressed the topic of heat and emergencies and their effect on firefighters throughout their careers. The literature review concluded that there are several physical and mental health consequences from exposure to extreme heat, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, anxiety, and loss of neurocognitive functions.