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Effect of Shift Schedules on Firefighter Sleep Outcomes
Jackson Miller1, Lauren Whitehurst, Emily Watkins
1From the First Responder Research Laboratory, Lexington, Kentucky (J.M., J.W., S.N.L., J.L.T., M.R.M., M.G.A.); Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (J.M., L.W.); School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, England (E.W.); and Health Sciences and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia (E.L.L.).
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|January 16, 2026
Summary
Firefighters on the 24/48 shift reported worse sleep quantity and quality compared to other schedules. Many firefighters across all shifts did not meet recommended sleep amounts.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Emergency Services Research
Background:
- Firefighter shift work significantly impacts sleep patterns and overall health.
- Different shift configurations may lead to varying sleep outcomes among first responders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sleep quantity and quality between firefighters working different shift schedules.
- To identify potential disparities in sleep outcomes based on shift configurations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Emergency Service Sleep Diary and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
- Compared firefighters from three departments with 24/48, 48/96, and 4 Platoon (4P) systems against a day shift control group.
- Controlled for nighttime emergency call volume in the analysis.
Main Results:
- The 24/48 shift resulted in less on-duty sleep time compared to the 48/96 shift.
- The 4 Platoon system showed similar on-duty sleep time to the 24/48 shift.
- Firefighters on the 24/48 shift had higher total PSQI scores, indicating poorer sleep quality, than other groups.
Conclusions:
- Sleep quantity and quality were compromised for firefighters on the 24/48 shift.
- A significant number of firefighters across all examined shifts failed to achieve recommended sleep durations.
- Shift configuration is a critical factor influencing firefighter sleep health.
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