FIRE FIGHTERS

This page links to NIOSH projects, programs, and resources created to improve the health and safety of fire fighters.

Fire fighting is a dangerous job that may pose immediate and long-term health threats. These threats vary which makes it challenging to keep fire fighters safe and healthy.

In addition to fires, fire fighters also respond to emergency incidents including:

• hazardous materials incidents
• technical rescue incidents (high angle, confined space, water rescue, scuba diving)
• transportation crashes (vehicles, aircraft, ship, rail)
• medical emergencies

Among fire fighters, there are vast differences that must be considered to provide useful recommendations. Many specialize in urban or suburban fire fighting, which concentrate on structural fires. Others specialize in wildland fire fighting, which has a primary responsibility to protect open land. These tasks require different gear, different work schedules, and different duties. The exposures are diverse, as are some of the threats to their health.