Injury Surveillance In Career Firefighters: A Retrospective Analysis Of Musculoskeletal Injury And Related Workers’ Compensation Costs

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are the most documented category of injuries for career firefighters. However, there are limited data available regarding the volume and cost of MSI in the fire service. Improved injury surveillance data in firefighters can inform targeted MSI prevention strategies. PURPOSE: To categorize injuries filed by injury type, body part affected, and setting in which MSI was sustained. METHODS: Retrospective workers’ compensation claim reports were compiled over one year from 5 fire departments of varying sizes (110 to 1,000 personnel) across the United States. The data were deidentified, and all cardiovascular incident, exposure, and laceration reports were removed. Descriptive statistics were reported for estimated cost, type, and location setting of injury. RESULTS: The mean age of the firefighters included in the analysis was 42 ± 9 years (Male = 676, Female = 80). A total of 793 injuries were reported including 494 MSIs (62%). Of the MSIs, 488 claims were categorized as sprains or strains (87%), the most frequent of which affected the low back (21%), knee (15%) and shoulder (10%). The total cost of all claims was $9.1 million USD, and MSIs accounted for $6.5 million USD in cost (69%), or an average of $2,407 per firefighter year. MSIs occurred while on call on the fireground (65%), during job and physical training (26%) and at the fire station (8%). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the injuries sustained by firefighters in 5 departments across the United States in the current study were MSI-related, with a majority categorized as sprains or strains. These findings can inform strategies to mitigate MSIs targeted to the specific actions of firefighters, their work environment, and body regions vulnerable to injury. Due to their occupational demands, firefighters, along with other tactical operators, are at a high risk of work-related MSI. These injuries incur a heavy cost burden to the employer and employee. More research is needed to explore injury reduction initiatives with firefighters that provide effective prevention and treatment measures for MSIs. This grant is funded by the Department of Homeland Security,Federal Emergency Management Agency