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Updated: Dec 2, 2025
08:36
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
12.4K
Daytime sleepiness among Midwestern firefighters.
Yihe Shi1, Bridget Bender2, Patricia McGovern1
1Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health
|November 3, 2020
Summary
Firefighters experience excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) more than the general population due to inadequate sleep. This sleepiness increases with years on the job, alongside obesity, impacting firefighter health and safety.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common sleep disorder symptom.
- Firefighters report high levels of EDS, but understanding is limited.
- This study investigates EDS prevalence and risk factors in firefighters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of EDS in full-time firefighters.
- To identify risk factors associated with EDS in this population.
- To understand the relationship between job experience, EDS, and obesity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to 275 full-time firefighters.
- The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to measure EDS.
- Data collected included job characteristics, health history, and demographics.
Main Results:
- Firefighters reported shorter sleep latencies and higher EDS than the general population.
- EDS was associated with over five years of experience and depression.
- Obesity and EDS prevalence increased with longer tenure.
Conclusions:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness is prevalent among firefighters.
- Increased job experience correlates with higher rates of obesity and EDS.
- Addressing EDS is crucial for firefighter health and safety.
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