Mathew C. McNabb, B.S.
The purpose of this study is to capture an academically based, empirically grounded product that develops the picture of seat belt use among Oklahoma firefighters. Many national statistics will be utilized to show a need for this study and explain the findings. The United States Fire Administration has tracked firefighter fatalities in the United States since 1977(1). The leading cause of firefighter fatalities involves heart related injuries caused by stress and/or overexertion. While cardiac studies are incredibly important, I feel the second leading cause is often overlooked.
The intent for this project is to study the second leading cause of firefighter fatalities and that is vehicle accidents(2). "Since 1984, motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) have accounted for between 20 and 25 percent of firefighter fatalities annually. Approximately 27 percent of fatalities in MVCs were ejected from the vehicle at the time of the collision; only 21 percent of these firefighters were reportedly wearing their seatbelts prior to the collision."(3)
This study incorporated firefighters from all across the great state of Oklahoma and surveyed their behavior toward seat belt use while on duty. Departments of varying type and size were included to get as "holistic" a picture of Oklahoma firefighter behavior as possible. Hopefully, departments across Oklahoma and America can benefit from this product produced by the brave men and women of the Oklahoma fire service. It is time for firefighters to think about themselves so that they can better care for their families and their community.
(1) www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/history.shtm
(2) www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/ff_fat08.pdf (page 22) 2008 is used only to show most recent.
(3) United States Fire Administration. 2002. Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990-2000
Related:
» Oklahoma Firefighter Seat Belt Study
» Appendix A