The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (PDF 115KB)

Consultation Response Report From 24 November 2015 until 14 December 2015 the Department ran a targeted consultation in relation to the HMT requirement to introduce modifications to primary legislation as a result of the introduction of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (2015) from 1 April 2015.  

Firefighters' exposure biomonitoring: Impact of firefighting activities on levels of urinary monohydroxyl metabolites

The concentrations of six urinary monohydroxyl metabolites (OH-PAHs) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy), and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, were assessed in the post-shift urine of wildland firefighters involved in fire combat activities at six Portuguese fire corporations, and compared with those of non-exposed subjects. Overall, median levels of urinary individual and total OH-PAHs (ΣOH-PAHs) suggest an increased exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during firefighting activities with ΣOH-PAH levels in exposed firefighters 1.7-35 times higher than in non-exposed ones. Urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene and/or 1-hydroxyacenapthene were the predominant compounds, representing 63-98% of ΣOH-PAHs, followed by 2-hydroxyfluorene (1-17%), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-13%), and 1OHPy (0.3-10%). A similar profile was observed when gender discrimination was considered. Participation in fire combat activities promoted an increase of the distribution percentage of 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, while contributions of 1-hydroxyphenanthrene and 1OHPy decreased. The detected urinary 1OHPy concentrations (1.73×10(-2) to 0.152μmol/mol creatinine in exposed subjects versus 1.21×10(-2) to 5.44×10(-2)μmol/mol creatinine in non-exposed individuals) were lower than the benchmark level (0.5μmol/mol creatinine) proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. This compound, considered the biomarker of exposure to PAHs, was the less abundant one from the six analyzed biomarkers. Thus the inclusion of other metabolites, in addition to 1OHPy, in future studies is suggested to better estimate firefighters' occupational exposure to PAHs. Moreover, strong to moderate Spearman correlations were observed between individual compounds and ΣOH-PAHs corroborating the prevalence of an emission source.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at fire stations: firefighters’ exposure monitoring and biomonitoring, and assessment of the contribution to total internal dose

This work characterizes levels of eighteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the breathing air zone of firefighters during their regular work shift at eight Portuguese fire stations, and the firefighters' total internal dose by six urinary monohydroxyl metabolites (OH-PAHs). Total PAHs (ΣPAHs) concentrations varied widely (46.4-428ng/m(3)), mainly due to site specificity (urban/rural) and characteristics (age and layout) of buildings. Airborne PAHs with 2-3 rings were the most abundant (63.9-95.7% ΣPAHs). Similarly, urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene were the predominant metabolites (66-96% ΣOH-PAHs). Naphthalene contributed the most to carcinogenic ΣPAHs (39.4-78.1%) in majority of firehouses; benzo[a]pyrene, the marker of carcinogenic PAHs, accounted with 1.5-10%. Statistically positive significant correlations (r≥0.733, p≤0.025) were observed between ΣPAHs and urinary ΣOH-PAHs for firefighters of four fire stations suggesting that, at these sites, indoor air was their major exposure source of PAHs. Firefighter's personal exposure to PAHs at Portuguese fire stations were well below the existent occupational exposure limits. Also, the quantified concentrations of post-shift urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in all firefighters were clearly lower than the benchmark level (0.5μmol/mol) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

Análise do nível de estresse baseada em sinais de eletroencefalografia e de condutância da pele

O estresse pode afetar qualquer pessoa, independente de idade, sexo ou etnia. O organismo humano o utiliza como uma resposta adaptativa frente a situações diversas, as quais requeiram alguma adaptação do organismo para que possa enfrentar tal situação. Dependendo do estímulo estressor, pode ser gerado no indivíduo desgastes físico, mental ou emocional, no entanto, o estresse não representa necessariamente algo ruim ou patológico; este é um mecanismo de adaptação vital para a sobrevivência da espécie humana. Porém, o número de pessoas que são afetadas de forma negativa pelo estresse tem crescido imensamente nas últimas décadas. Pesquisas destacam que nos Estados Unidos cerca de 60% a 90% dos atendimentos médicos estão relacionados de alguma maneira com o estresse, enquanto que no Brasil aproximadamente 80% da população sofre de estresse, sendo que desses, 30% encontram-se na fase mais crítica, a chamada fase de exaustão. Tendo em vista que a principal forma de identificação de estresse ainda é realizada através do uso de questionário de autorrelato. O presente estudo apresenta como contribuição uma metodologia de análise do nível de estresse baseada na variação da condutância galvânica da pele e de sinais de eletroencefalografia, sendo utilizados como parâmetros a assimetria do ritmo alfa, assim como a razão entre os ritmos beta e alfa no córtex frontal e pré-frontal. Para a gravação dos sinais de EEG foi utilizado um dispositivo portátil, com eletrodos especificamente situados nas posições aF3, F3, F4 e aF4, de acordo com o Sistema Internacional 10/20 de posicionamento de eletrodos. Os participantes deste estudo são Bombeiros Militares da 1ª Cia de Vitória-ES. Foram utilizadas três classes de estímulos emocionais positivos, calmos e negativos, através da utilização de imagens pertencentes ao banco de dados IAPS (International Affective Picture System). Os resultados de acurácia obtidos através de um classificador SVM (Support Vector Machine) chegam a 88,24% para classe de estímulos positivos, 84,09% para classe calma e de 92,86% para os estímulos negativos. Deste modo, esta pesquisa apresenta uma combinação de parâmetros que podem ser aferidos com equipamentos de baixo custo, e fornecem condições de diferenciar estímulos estressantes, podendo assim, ser utilizada para auxiliar no treinamento de profissionais da área de urgência e emergência.

Personalidade e percepção de stress em bombeiros

RESUMO: O objectivo deste estudo consistiu na obtenção de dados que ajudem a melhor compreender as diversas correlações entre traços de personalidade e a percepção de stress em bombeiros, de modo a que seja possível identificar factores desencadeantes de stress, bem como traços de personalidade que reforcem positiva ou negativamente esses mesmos factores . A amostra é constituída por 302 bombeiros pertencentes a corporações das regiões do Ribatejo e da Extremadura, sendo que todos os participantes desempenham funções de bombeiro voluntário ou profissional/efectivo. De entre os bombeiros participantes 238 são do sexo masculino e 64 são do sexo feminino tendo idades compreendidas entre os 17 e os 73 anos (m= 32,75 ; dp=9,309). As medidas utilizadas neste estudo são as seguintes: Marlow-Crowne Social Desirability Scale – Short Form C (MCSDS-C) de Ballard (1992), para a avaliação da desejabilidade social; Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) de Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein (1983), para a avaliação do stress e o Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) de Costa & McCrae (1992) , para a avaliação da personalidade. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram associações significativas entre as dimensões da personalidade, nomeadamente o neuroticismo, a extroversão, a abertura à experiência e a conscienciosidade, e o stress. Verificaram-se correlações positivas entre as dimensões de neuroticismo e abertura à experiência relativamente ao stress, ao invés das dimensões de extroversão e conscienciosidade que por sua vez se correlacionaram negativamente com o stress. Este estudo demonstra também que os bombeiros profissionais(efectivos apresentam um mais elevado nível de stress comparativamente aos bombeiros pertencentes à categoria de voluntários, tal como os bombeiros com nove ou menos anos na função comparativamente aos bombeiros com mais de nove anos na função. Verificou-se também que os bombeiros do sexo masculino apresentam menos índices de stress comparativamente aos do sexo feminino. ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to obtain data can help us to better understand the various correlations between personality traits and the perception of stress in firefighters in order to identify trigger stress factors and personality traits which increase positively or negatively these same factors. The sample consists of 302 firefighters belonging to corporations within the regions of Ribatejo and Extremadura, being that all participants are either professional/effective or volunteer firefighters. Among the participating firefighters 238 are males and 64 are females, having aged between 17 and 73 years (m=32.75; dp=9.309). The measures used in this study are the following: Marlow-Crowne Social Desirability Scale – Short Form C (MCSDS-C) by Ballard (1992), for the assessment of social desirability; Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) by Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein (1983), for the assessment of stress and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) by Costa & McCrae (1992) , for the assessment of personality. The results obtained showed significant associations between the personality dimensions of neuroticism, extraversion, openness and conscientiousness, and stress. The dimensions of neuroticism and openness are positively correlated to stress, on the other hand, the dimensions of extraversion and conscientiousness are negatively correlated to stress. Results also show that professional/effective firefighters have a higher level of stress as compared to volunteer firefighters as do firefighters with nine or fewer years in function compared with firefighters with more than nine years in function. It was also noted that male fire fighters present minor stress levels comparatively to female firefighters.

Caracterização da função pulmonar de bombeiros da Região Norte de Portugal

Os Bombeiros estão expostos frequentemente a vários poluentes prejudicando gravemente a sua saúde respiratória. Foi realizado um estudo observacional e transversal, com o objectivo de caracterizar a função pulmonar dos bombeiros da região norte de Portugal. A amostra foi constituída por 44 Bombeiros de Valongo e Rebordosa. Todos os participantes preencheram um questionário, executaram espirometrias e mediram o monóxido de carbono. Verificou-se uma elevada prevalência de hábitos tabágicos, bem como da carga tabágica. A percentagem de alterações espirométricas foi de 38,6% e a utilização de protecção respiratória revelou-se praticamente inexistente nos incêndios florestais.

O Voluntariado enquanto promotor do empreendedorismo social: o caso da Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Mangualde

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Empreendedorismo e Internacionalização, sob orientação de Doutora Deolinda Meira e Mestre Paula Alferes

Research activities at european level performed at the Institute for Públic Safety of Catalonia

To start off, this document describes the Catalan model for emergencies response and its reference frame in terms of geography, location population…In addition, describes the main actors involved in emergencies response such as: police, the Fire and Rescue Emergency Service, the Emergency Medical System, Civil Protection, Reception and Management of Emergency Calls, Rural Agents, ADF’s and UME. Civil Protection, Firefighters and Police are includes in the training model developed by the Institute for Public Safety of Catalonia which at the same time does research in both security and safety matters. Research activities are performed by the Area for Research, Knowledge and International Cooperation at the ISPC and an example of these activities are European Research Projects such as COIM-Best (Coordination Improvement by Best Practices) and BESECU (cross-cultural differences of human behaviour in fire disasters and other crisis situations) among others.

Management of major accidents with on-site 144 dispatcher

Introduction: An excellent coordination between firefighters, policemen and medical rescue is the key to success in the management of major accidents. In order to improve and assist the medical teams engaged on site, the Swiss "medical command and control system" for rescue operations is based on a binomial set up involving one head emergency doctor and one head rescue paramedic, both trained in disaster medicine. We have recently experimented an innovative on-site "medical command and control system", based on the binomial team, supported by a dedicated 144 dispatcher. Methods: A major road traffic accident took place on the highway between Lausanne and Vevey on April 9th 2008. We have retrospectively collected all data concerning the victims as well as the logistics and dedicated structures, reported by the 144, the Hospitals, the Authority of the State and the Police and Fire Departments. Results: The 72-car pileup caused one death and 26 slightly injured patients. The management on the accident site was organized around a tripartite system, gathering together the medical command and control team with the police and fire departments. On the medical side, 16 ambulances, 2 medical response teams (SMUR), the Rega crew and the medical command and control team were dispatched by the 144. On that occasion an advanced medical command car equipped with communication devices and staffed with a 144 dispatcher was also engaged, allowing efficient medical regulation directly from the site. Discussion: The specific skills of one doctor and one paramedic both trained for disaster's management proved to be perfectly complementary. The presence of a dispatcher on site with a medical command car also proved to be useful, improving orders transmission from the medical command team to all other on- and off-site partners. It relieved the need of repeated back-and-forth communication with the 144, allowing both paramedic and doctor to focus on strategy and tactics rather than communication and logistics.

Summary of 2010–2012 IPERS changes,June 20, 2010

IPERs has three membership classes. Each class has different contribution rates and benefits. Most IPERS members are in the regular class. Only sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and those working in protection occupations are not. (Protection occupations include certain employees of the Department of Corrections, state and county conservation peace officers, city police officers, DOT peace officers, airport firefighters, airport safety officers, fire prevention inspector peace officers, regular and volunteer firefighters, air base security officers, county jailers, emergency medical service providers, county attorney investigators, and National Guard installation security officers.)

Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System Member Handbook, September 2011

The IPERS Member Handbook summarizes the retirement plan that is provided for most employees of Iowa’s schools, cities, counties, townships, state agencies, and other governmental units. This publication explains the rights and benefits of IPERS membership in as clear and useful a manner as possible; however, it is not intended to be a complete presentation of the IPERS law and policies. Benefits provided under IPERS differ for Special service members—sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and those working in other protection occupations, such as firefighters, police, correctional officers, and conservation officers. This publication explains what these differences are. To help you find information that applies only to you, IPERS also publishes a variety of booklets and brochures to guide you through IPERS benefits at specific stages of your career, from membership enrollment to retirement. These educational resources are available for viewing or printing from our website at www.ipers.org. You may also contact IPERS and request a free printed copy. Alternative formats containing the information in this publication are available upon request. Note: This publication reflects the law as of July 2011. Some provisions will become effective at later dates, as noted. Any inconsistencies or inadvertent omissions will be resolved in favor of the law.

Työturvallisuusriskien tunnistaminen, arviointi ja hallinta pelastuslaitoksissa

Firefighters work contains numerous hazards. In rescue missions there are always hazards, which are unavoidable. Risk assessments and near-miss –situation investigation increases firefighters risk awareness and decreases accidents. This thesis concerns occupational risk management in fire department. This thesis introduces methods for identifying occupational hazards and risk assessment. In this thesis is introduced risk assessment method developed whit fire departments. This thesis also concerns a model of fire departments safety management system. In addition thesis contains a short introduction of how occupational health care cold be used and what kind of information system would support fire departments daily occupational safety activities.

A constructivist grounded theory of firefighter perceptions of stress, coping and the relationship to health

This qualitative research was a constructivist grounded theory designed to develop an understanding of how firefighters perceive and cope with stressful situations and the impact this has on their perceptions of health. This study was framed in a social ecological perspective with the community of firefighting providing the environment within which to explore stress and coping. Of particular concern here are the stressors associated with firefighting. Prior research with firefighters has often been epidemiological and statistical in nature, focusing on measures of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression (Baker & Williams, 2001 ; Brown et al., 2002; Murphy et al.,1999; Regehr et al., 2002; Regehr et al., 2003). Qualitative research examining the perception of stress among firefighters that includes personal stories allows firefighters the opportunity to describe what it is like to be met with physically and mentally challenging situations on a daily basis. Twelve in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with a brief questionnaire were conducted with firefighters from a Southern Ontario Fire Department. Four main themes emerged describing the persona of the firefighter, the stressors of firefighters, coping strategies of firefighters, and firefighters' perceptions of health. Stressors include requirements of the job, traumatic calls, tensions with co-workers, the struggle between the family at home and the family at work, political stressors with the City, and the inner struggle. Avoidance coping, approach coping, and gaining perspective emerged as the three coping styles of firefighters. Health was defined as including physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects. A model of the findings is provided that depicts the cyclical nature of the stress-coping-health relationship among firefighters.

Capacidad aeróbica de bomberos aeronáuticos

Los bomberos aeronáuticos son los encargados de atender todas las emergencias en los aeropuertos y sus cercanías. Estas emergencias incluyen emergencias aéreas, en tierra, eventos con materiales peligros e incendios, entre otros. Su trabajo tiene como características la realización de actividades durante periodos largos de baja intensidad y periodos cortos de alta intensidad. De acuerdo con estas características, es necesario que los bomberos aeronáuticos tengan una buena condición física. El consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2 máx) como indicador de capacidad aeróbica resulta indispensable para conocer el desempeño de los bomberos en su trabajo. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la capacidad aeróbica de los bomberos aeronáuticos y sus factores determinantes. Por tanto se desarrolló un estudio transversal de tipo descriptivo en una muestra de 23 hombres bomberos aeronáuticos. Se obtuvo información acerca de sus variables socio-demográficas, se determinó el VO2 máx y umbral ventilatorio mediante análisis de gases espirados durante un protocolo de ejercicio máximo sobre tapiz rodante, se evaluó la composición corporal mediante adipometría y se determinó el nivel de actividad física mediante el cuestionario internacional de actividad física IPAQ. Se encontró que la muestra tenia una edad de 32,6 ± 4,8 años, peso de 78,4 ± 9,8 kg, porcentaje de grasa de 14,8 ± 3,8 %, índice de masa corporal de 25,7 ± 2,7 y VO2máx de 44,6 ± 6. No se encontraron cambios significativos del VO2máx con la edad, pero si con la actividad física, porcentaje de grasa e índice de masa corporal. Se sugiere que el entrenamiento de los bomberos aeronáuticos durante su jornada laboral sea de intervalos de alta intensidad y que se monitorice su nivel de actividad física y composición corporal.