SHIFT-48: Schedule and Health Improvements for Firefighters Transitioning to 48/96

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Physiology
• Public Safety

Background:

• Firefighter work schedules significantly influence health and performance.
• Traditional 24/48 hour shifts may pose challenges for recovery and well-being.
• Investigating extended inter-shift recovery periods is crucial for firefighter health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the health and performance outcomes of transitioning firefighter shift schedules.
• To compare the 24/48 hour shift schedule against a 48/96 hour schedule.
• To assess physiological and psychological markers in firefighters.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal analysis of 11 male firefighters across three time points.
• Assessment of VO2peak, peak power, blood pressure, resting heart rate, lipid profiles, and psychological factors.
• Statistical analysis using linear mixed-effects models to determine changes over time.

Main Results:

• The 48/96 schedule correlated with significant improvements in peak power, resting blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and resting heart rate.
• Enhanced sleep quality (ISI score reduction) and decreased alcohol consumption (AUDIT score reduction) were observed.
• No significant time effect was found for VO2peak.

Conclusions:

• Extended inter-shift recovery periods, as provided by the 48/96 schedule, may enhance cardiovascular recovery and readiness.
• The 48/96 shift schedule appears to be associated with positive health outcomes without adverse effects.
• Findings suggest the 48/96 schedule is a viable option for similar fire departments seeking to improve firefighter well-being.