Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Modeling Highly Repetitive Low-level Blast Exposure in Mice
Published on: May 24, 2024
Occupational injuries among emergency responders
Audrey A Reichard1, Larry L Jackson
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. akr5@cdc.gov
Background:
Emergency responders frequently incur injuries while providing medical, fire, and law enforcement services. National surveillance systems provide fragmented perspectives on responder injuries because they omit specific classes of workers (e.g., government or volunteers); they report only selected injuries; and employment information is incomplete.
Methods:
We characterized injuries among emergency medical services (EMS), firefighting, and police occupations by using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Occupational Supplement (NEISS-Work) for injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2000-2001.
Results:
Sprains and strains were the leading injury (33-41%) among EMS, firefighter, and police occupations. Police officers and career firefighters had the highest injury rates (8.5 and 7.4 injuries per 100 full-time equivalent workers, respectively).
Conclusions:
The physical demands of emergency response are a leading cause of injuries that may benefit from similar interventions across the occupations. To assess risk, improved exposure data need to be acquired, particularly for volunteers.
Related Concept Videos
Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
Bystander Effect
The Availability Heuristic
Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:

