Managing Stress as a Firefighter

Without intervention, firefighter stress can have a detrimental effect on a firefighter's physical and mental well-being, as well as cause issues in their home life. See "Understanding the Stressors of Firefighting" for more on the impact of stress in the fire service.

The Impact of Firefighter Stress

Relationships

A stressed firefighter suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) can become withdrawn, moody, and less affectionate. Unfortunately, the protective personality of a firefighter often precludes them from sharing their experiences with their loved ones, leaving them to carry it around without a release.

Physical Health

As discussed above, PTS and high-stress levels will impact a firefighter's physical health, leaving them more vulnerable to heart attack, high blood pressure, and cancer. There's no mystery why firefighters have a shorter-than-average lifespan [1] compared to the rest of the populace.

Mental Health

A raft of mental issues can develop from stress, including depression, anxiety, and PTS. Here are a few stress management strategies firefighters can use to reduce the volume of stress in their lives.

Coping with Firefighter Stress Levels

There are various strategies firefighters can draw on to cope with stress. Unfortunately, the strong, protective character traits common in firefighters can prevent them from seeking the help they need. However, research shows that cultivating close relationships benefits the overall quality of life and work satisfaction [2].

Being mindful of the symptoms and recognizing stress is the first step toward practicing adequate self-care to mitigate its influence. A healthy, nutritious diet and regular exercise are excellent stress relievers.

Relaxation exercises like breathing, meditation, or yoga can help the body unwind from the buildup of the day's stressors. When yoga or meditation is impossible or impractical, a simple mindful breathing exercise is a good substitute.

We have mentioned how a firefighter's sleeping patterns can be interrupted during shift work, but avoiding caffeine on and off the job can help, as can reducing or eliminating alcohol during time off. Creating a dark sleeping environment with thick curtains and removing glowing gadgets like alarm clocks and mobile phones can help firefighters sleep better.

Mitigating the Startle Response

The traditionally loud and sudden alarm system used by fire stations across the globe puts firefighters in a heightened state of stress. The exertion of getting into the firetruck should increase the heart rate. However, studies have shown that loud noises trigger the fight or flight response, and a flood of stress hormones can increase the heart rate to 47 beats faster than the exertion would warrant.

In short, the startle response in firefighters is putting our critical first responders at increased risk of arterial tension, heart attack, and stroke, to name just a few. A gentler, less intrusive, but no less effective alarm system like EaseAlert can spring firefighters into action without the traditional stress-inducing blaring alarm putting their lives at risk. Sleeping firefighters can also continue their rest in peace, knowing that EaseAlert will let them know when they are needed.

References:

Sy, S., & Jackson, L. I. (2022, September 28). How firefighters' life-saving work puts them at a higher risk of cancer. PBS. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-firefighters-life-saving-work-puts-them-at-a-higher-risk-of-cancer
ScienceDaily. (2019, November 13). Firefighters can ease one another's job stress, but loving spouses may increase it. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191113153017.htm