The value of occupational health and safety data: Perceptions of current data practices in the fire service

Despite growing interest in utilizing firefighter health and safety data to reduce injuries and fatalities, there is little evidence on attitudes towards data. We examined fire service perceptions of data to inform future policies and practices.

We conducted focus groups and interviews with career firefighters, union representatives, and department leaders in Maryland and Virginia; and interviews with national leaders (March-November 2023).

We conducted 35 interviews and 4 focus groups (65 participants). Departments collected health, injury, and exposure information to establish fitness for duty, facilitate benefits, conduct prevention, and advance administrative priorities. Leaders described cultural and resource limitations. Participants desired more mental health and exposure data, and improved data infrastructure.

Participants viewed data as valuable for health and safety but identified needs surrounding future data collection, resource investments, and cultural shifts.