8266023 Too hot, too cold, too dangerous: how extreme temperatures affect firefighter slips, falls, and overexertion

<h3>Objective</h3> Firefighters are required to perform strenuous physical tasks in situations that are both hazardous and stressful. This, combined with extreme outdoor temperatures, can lead to injuries that impede their work and can have long-term effects. We study the effects of extreme heat and cold on overexertion and slips and falls in firefighters across Minnesota. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Using the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data, we compiled data on firefighter injuries in Minnesota from 2017-2023. Following geocoding fire department addresses, we linked our injury data with daily maximum temperature at the census tract level. We calculated incidence rates per 10,000 person years for each outcome at different temperature intervals and by season. <h3>Results</h3> Slips and falls were more likely to be seen in winter (IR: 1.73 per 10,000 per/yrs) and were the most likely between -20 and -10°F (IR: 6.41 per 10,000 per/yrs) compared to the next highest incidence rate at -10 to 0°F (IR: 2.32 per 10,000 per/yrs). Overexertion injuries were highest during spring and summer (IR: 2.65 and 2.57 per 10,000 per/yrs) and were most likely at temperatures between 80 and 90°F (IR: 3.23 per 10,000 per/yrs followed closely by 90 to 100°F (IR: 2.87 per 10,000 per/yrs). <h3>Conclusions</h3> These findings suggest that slips and falls are occurring at lower temperatures, indicating that these injuries may be caused by ice. Overexertion injuries are normally happening at hotter temperatures, indicating a potential for a more severe outcome, such as heat stroke or stress.