This Research, based on the social and demographic factors of fire fighters, who are the first to cope with all the incidents and accidents, is to examine the factors which cause Traumatic Stress and to understand how each of them relates to the measu...
This Research, based on the social and demographic factors of fire fighters, who are the first to cope with all the incidents and accidents, is to examine the factors which cause Traumatic Stress and to understand how each of them relates to the measures.
The Traumatic Stress of fire fighters will be comprehended through this process, and we would like to find a way to offer them social welfare service.
The subject of this study is 460 fire-fighting personnels evenly from each office under Busan Fire Defense Headquarters. For the sake of reliability, the members who have been fighting fires, rescuing lives, and giving first aid to injured people on the field for more than five years at least are exclusively selected as the subject. This survey was conducted from April the 3rd to 15th, 2007.
Self-reporting questionnaire form and Smart Flow- the electronic approval system which is in common use between fire offices- were used throughout the survey process.
We examined the general characteristics of the subject using SPSS Window 12.0 program, studied the difference between variables using T-test and ANOVA, and guessed the factors that affect the way fire fighters handle the stress based on their shock from the venue using the Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis.
The study showed that most of the subjects are in their 30s, married, university graduates, and stable financially.
Looking into characteristics classified by functions, most of them appear to be natural and satisfied with their jobs. However, we need to take measures for those who want to transfer to another division.
In addition, we learned that 43.5% of them cannot stop thinking about their job because they have to be on standby all the time in case of emergency.
Looking into the variables, they move out average 5.3 times a day considering that they work on two-shift-a-day basis, and they can be exposed to a critical situation in every 3 missions.
In terms of physical condition, most of them answered that they are not sure, which means they are not confident with their health, and we need a systematic approach to fire fighters' health issues.
Based on the result above, proper measures should be devised to cut down fire fighters' traumatic stress.
First, we need solution programs, concerns, and measures on a political level for those who are exposed to traumatic stress. That is, activating emotional education such as club activities, social meetings, or mind control and use of CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) model are needed for the immediate cure.
Second, fire fighters' traumatic stress is not an individual problem but an extended problem to the family, workplace, and even the whole society. Therefore, it is required to study not only the victims themselves but also their family, the source of their support, their workplace, and the local issues altogether.
Third, a nationwide research on the actual condition of fire fighters' traumatic stress is essential. We are wholly lacking the post management as well as investigation into victims of a disaster or every kind of accidents. The government should take the responsibility for them on the level of on-the-job accident compensation.