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Heat-Related Illness in California Firefighters, 2001-2020
Margaret Murray1, Stella Beckman2, Amy Heinzerling2
1Division of Occupational, Environmental, and Climate Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|December 18, 2024
Summary
Younger firefighters face higher heat-related illness (HRI) risks. Occupational HRI rates are increasing, especially in Northern California, necessitating enhanced prevention strategies for firefighter safety.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Health
- Climate Change Impact
Background:
- Firefighters experience elevated rates of heat-related illness (HRI) compared to other professions.
- Occupational HRI risk for firefighters requires attention due to climate change.
- This study investigates risk factors for HRI in California firefighters.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify demographic, temporal, and geographic risk factors for occupational HRI.
- Analyze HRI trends in California firefighters from 2001-2020.
- Inform targeted prevention strategies for firefighter health and safety.
Main Methods:
- Utilized California Workers' Compensation Information Systems (WCIS) data from 2001-2020.
- Identified firefighter HRI claims using ICD codes, WCIS codes, and keywords.
- Calculated adjusted HRI incidence rates and analyzed employment data.
Main Results:
- Recorded 2185 firefighter HRI claims (305.5/100,000 firefighters).
- Younger firefighters (18-29 years) showed significantly higher HRI risk (RR=3.5).
- HRI rates increased over time, with higher incidence in Northern California counties.
Conclusions:
- Specific demographic groups and Northern California counties face the highest HRI risk.
- Rising temperatures and increased wildfire frequency heighten HRI concerns.
- Additional prevention measures are crucial to mitigate HRI among California firefighters.
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