(63) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CALL VOLUME, RANK, AND RECOVERY ACTIVITIES UTILIZED BY ACTIVE-DUTY FIREFIGHTERS

For active-duty firefighters (FFs), the successful execution of job duties requires being physically and mentally healthy, as well as having the ability to work cohesively together. Current research focuses primarily on FF stressors (e.g., call volume, rank), yet little emphasis has been placed on practical strategies that can be utilized to manage those stressors. As these stressors may be a barrier to engagement in FF recovery activities while on-duty and may deplete FF resources to engage in recovery activities while off-duty, these relationships must be identified to inform the development of solutions to enhance holistic recovery in FFs.

Purpose: To explore the relationships between call volume, rank, and the type of physical, psychological, and social recovery activities used by FFs.

Methods: 214 (193 male, 21 female) active-duty FFs (age: 39.2 ± 9.6 yrs) completed the FF-adapted version of the Assessment of Recovery Activities for Athletes (ARAA-FF) to measure type and frequency of recovery activities engaged in over a 7-day period. FFs also reported rank as well as days they were on- and off-duty over those 7 days. Department call logs were then used to provide data on the number of calls that occurred during each participant’s 24-hour shift, as well as the type of call (i.e., Medical, Fire). Spearman’s rank correlations (p < 0.05) were used to examine the relationships between Rank and Medical Calls (Calls_MED), Fire Calls (Calls_Fire), Total Call Volume (Calls_TOTAL), and FF recovery activities as indicated on the ARAA-FF.

Results: Weak positive relationships existed between Rank and Sleep (r = .210, p < .001) and Autonomy (r = .134, p = .033). Weak negative relationships existed between Calls_MED and Sleep (r = -.196, p = .004), Relaxation (r = -.230, p < .001), Psychological Detachment (r = -.272, p < .001), Mastery (r = -.258, p < .001), and Autonomy (r = -.223, p < .001), while a weak positive relationship was found between Calls_MED and FF Interactions (r = .147, p = .032). Weak negative relationships existed between Calls_Fire and Psychological Detachment (r = -.237, p < .001) and Mastery (r = -.151, p = .027). Weak negative relationships existed between Calls_TOTAL and Sleep (r = -.205, p = .003), Relaxation (r = -.253, p < .001), Mastery (r = -.268, p < .001), Autonomy (r = -.242, p < .001), and Training Breaks (r = -.148, p =.031), while a weak positive relationship was found between Calls_TOTAL and FF Interactions (r = .146, p = .033). A moderate negative relationship was found between Calls_TOTAL and Psychological Detachment (r = -.320, p < .001).

Conclusions: High levels of rank are associated with higher levels of both sleep and perceptions of autonomy. Calls_MED, Calls_Fire, and Calls_TOTAL were negatively related to psychological detachment, indicating that an increase in call volume–regardless of the type–inhibited FFs’ ability to not think about work while off-duty. Calls_TOTAL also inhibited FFs’ ability to sleep, relax, feel autonomous, and take breaks from work. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Development of post-call and off-duty recovery protocols targeting physical, psychological, and social components of recovery would benefit FFs at high-call volume stations, especially for those FFs who are of lower rank.  Implementation of such recovery protocols may be an important component to improve health, performance, and career longevity in FFs.

Acknowledgements: Funding provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Grant #T42/OH008672).