Abstract
To define and explore organizational- and worker-level factors of firefighter well-being.
Qualitative data was collected using interviews and focus group sessions among seventeen career firefighters across four fire departments. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and a general inductive approach was used to code similar concepts into themes.
Firefighters defined well-being as being content with oneself and being able to balance ones' emotional, mental, and physical health. Themes contributing to firefighter well-being include the nature of the job, the influence of others, and physical health. Subthemes mapping to themes include dealing with trauma, compartmentalizing work and home life, co-workers and station culture, the role of superiors on attitudes and practices, being a reliable firefighter, and lack of sleep.
Career firefighters describe well-being as a holistic approach to balancing emotional, mental, and physical health.
Copyright © 2022 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.