PresentationPDF Available

Wildland Firefighter Psychological and Behavioral Health: Preliminary Data from a National Sample of Current and Former Wildland Firefighters in the United States [Conference session]

  • May 2021
  • Conference: International Association of Wildland Fire 6th Annual Human Dimensions Conference
Authors:
Patricia O'Brien at BLM - The Bureau of Land Management
Patricia O'Brien
Duncan G Campbell at University of Montana
Duncan G Campbell
Download file PDF
Read file
Download citation

Abstract

In recent years, topics such as depression, suicide, PTSD, and substance use have garnered increasing attention and discussion within the wildland fire community. Yet, little research has examined psychological and behavioral health variables among wildland firefighters. Accurate information about these characteristics is necessary to help frame discussions targeted at wildland firefighter wellness and to lay the groundwork for understanding associations between wildland fire service and mental/behavioral health. To this end, the present study employed a cross-sectional design to describe probable presence of mental health conditions (PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder), past-year suicidal ideation, risky alcohol use and tobacco use among wildland firefighters in the US. A large, convenience sample of current and former US wildland firefighters (n=2,625) was recruited through social media and electronic platforms hosted by firefighter aid organizations and interagency wildland fire groups. Respondents completed a comprehensive anonymous, self-report survey that contained standard health screeners and other relevant measures. The first 600 participants in the study were incentivized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Wildland firefighters in the sample reported relatively high rates of probable depression (17.3%), probable generalized anxiety disorder (12.8%), probable PTSD (13.7%), past year suicidal ideation (20.1%), past-month binge drinking (57%), heavy alcohol use (22%) and smokeless tobacco use (36.9%). These rates were 2-10 times higher than rates typically seen among the general public. Further, data showed a disparity between the prevalence of depression and PTSD identified by the study screening measures and the rates at which participants reported having been diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Finally, wildland firefighters in the study reported exposures to a variety of stressful events. Results of the study provide preliminary research data suggesting that wildland firefighters may be at greater risk of developing mental health conditions than the general public, and that a significant proportion of those conditions are under-detected and under-treated. Findings highlight the need for health surveillance and evidence-based health promotion and illness/injury prevention program development for wildland firefighters, particularly in psychological and behavioral health domains.
Content uploaded by Patricia O'Brien
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Patricia O'Brien on Jun 16, 2021
Content may be subject to copyright.
Title: Wildland Firefighter Psychological and Behavioral Health: Preliminary Data from a National
Sample of Current and Former Wildland Firefighters in the United States
Presenters:
Patricia O’Brien, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Portland Health Care
System, Portland, OR, patriciaobrienmt@gmail.com
Duncan Campbell, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of Montana,
duncan.campbell@umontana.edu
Abstract: In recent years, topics such as depression, suicide, PTSD, and substance use have garnered increasing
attention and discussion within the wildland fire community. Yet, little research has examined psychological and
behavioral health variables among wildland firefighters. Accurate information about these characteristics is
necessary to help frame discussions targeted at wildland firefighter wellness and to lay the groundwork for
understanding associations between wildland fire service and mental/behavioral health. To this end, the present
study employed a cross-sectional design to describe probable presence of mental health conditions (PTSD,
depression, generalized anxiety disorder), past-year suicidal ideation, risky alcohol use and tobacco use among
wildland firefighters in the US. A large, convenience sample of current and former US wildland firefighters
(n=2,625) was recruited through social media and electronic platforms hosted by firefighter aid organizations and
interagency wildland fire groups. Respondents completed a comprehensive anonymous, self-report survey that
contained standard health screeners and other relevant measures. The first 600 participants in the study were
incentivized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Wildland firefighters in the sample reported relatively
high rates of probable depression (17.3%), probable generalized anxiety disorder (12.8%), probable PTSD
(13.7%), past year suicidal ideation (20.1%), past-month binge drinking (57%), heavy alcohol use (22%) and
smokeless tobacco use (36.9%). These rates were 2-10 times higher than rates typically seen among the general
public. Further, data showed a disparity between the prevalence of depression and PTSD identified by the study
screening measures and the rates at which participants reported having been diagnosed by a healthcare
provider. Finally, wildland firefighters in the study reported exposures to a variety of stressful events. Results of
the study provide preliminary research data suggesting that wildland firefighters may be at greater risk of
developing mental health conditions than the general public, and that a significant proportion of those conditions
are under-detected and under-treated. Findings highlight the need for health surveillance and evidence-based
health promotion and illness/injury prevention program development for wildland firefighters, particularly in
psychological and behavioral health domains.
Citation:
O’Brien, P., & Campbell, D. (2021, May 26). Wildland Firefighter Psychological and Behavioral
Health: Preliminary Data from a National Sample of Current and Former Wildland Firefighters in
the United States [Conference session]. International Association of Wildland Fire 6th Annual Human
Dimensions Conference. https://firesafety-humandimensions2021.com/
Gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and socioeconomic factors influence how wildland firefighters communicate their work experiences
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2023
As climates change, natural resource professionals are often working on the frontlines of intensifying environmental disasters, acting in both scientific and emergency response roles. One subset of this group, wildland firefighters often engage in multifaceted careers that incorporate elements of resource planning, conservation management, community disaster relief, and operational management. Despite these STEM roles and nearly half (48%) of them having earned at least a bachelor's degree, usually in a STEM field, wildland firefighters are almost exclusively lumped with emergency responders in the scientific literature. We surveyed 708 wildland firefighters with 9 open response questions as part of a larger survey asking about experiences and attitudes in the United States federal workplace. From their responses and voluntarily provided demographic data, we extracted information about response length, use of hedges, tag questions and imperatives, use of personal language, use of expletives and derogatory language, use of apologetic language, and the types of responses provided. We then analyzed whether certain demographic and socioeconomic factors were statistical predictors of language use in wildland firefighter survey responses with the goal of ultimately providing a framework for differentiating and identifying factors that may influence employee retention, attitudes, morale, and experiences among wildland firefighter sub-demographics. We found that different demographic groups varied in their responses to questions: Minority groups used fewer words and were more likely to relate personal experiences than majority groups.
View
Wildfire Response: A System on the Brink?
Article
  • Dec 2022
Increasing wildfire activity, decreasing workforce capacity, and growing systemic strain may result in an interagency wildfire-response system less capable of protecting landscapes and communities. Further, increased workloads will likely increase hazards to fire personnel and amplify existing problems with recruitment and retention. In the face of elevated risks and degraded capacity, it is imperative that the wildfire-response system operate efficiently. Viable solutions are urgently needed that enable the system to do more with less and that manage not only for landscapes and communities but also the health and wellbeing of the fire personnel on whom the system relies. Achieving this will likely require rethinking how the interagency wildfire-response system can more adaptively and intelligently deploy fire personnel by leveraging enhanced logistics, operations, and proven fire analytics. Study Implications: As society grapples with increasing wildfire damage to landscapes and communities, the capacity of the interagency system in the USA designed to protect landscapes and communities from wildfires is degrading. A stressed system will be less capable of protecting life, property, and resources, and increased workloads will likely increase hazards to fire personnel and amplify existing problems with recruitment and retention. We argue that solutions are attainable through increased attention to performance and through more anticipatory, adaptive, and intelligent deployment of fire personnel across fire incidents and around the country.
View
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.