Situación Actual de la Salud Ocupacional en el Cuerpo de Bomberos del Cantón Morona

The Morona canton, considered one of the most vulnerable cities in Ecuador, faces significant challenges in ensuring efficient emergency services. Firefighters, key players in emergency management, operate under extreme conditions that expose them to serious occupational risks, such as respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal diseases, and post-traumatic stress disorders. Despite this, occupational health in this fire department has been insufficiently researched, which limits the development of effective preventive strategies. This study analyzes the current state of occupational health among firefighters in this canton, with emphasis on the availability and effectiveness of pre-employment screenings as a tool for the early detection of occupational diseases. Approximately two out of three firefighters have a body mass index (BMI) above the recommended values. Furthermore, dissatisfaction with protocols, equipment, operating procedures, and high-level management has been noted. Anomalous levels of carbon dioxide pollution above 0.8% have also been detected. This suggests some improvements at both the human and infrastructure levels, with the aim of increasing workplace safety standards.