Firefighting is a dangerous and hazardous job.  Every day firefighters risk their lives protecting people and property in their communities.  While some hazards are unavoidable, there is much that can be done to make firefighting safer.

Here you will find information, resources and tools to be a safer, healthier firefighter.  Topics rotate monthly so come back and visit often.  
 

Alcohol Awareness Month

This month is Alcohol Awareness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. As first responders, you probably have seen firsthand some of the worst consequences of alcohol abuse. While the negative consequences must not be ignored, alcohol can, in moderation, aid in the prevention of certain health ailments. You should speak with your doctor regarding the pros and cons of the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis.

Health benefits
There are several possible benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, meaning one drink a day for women and two for men. Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce your risk of:

• dying of a heart attack
• developing heart disease
• stroke
• developing diabetes
  

Negative consequences
On the other hand, drinking too much alcohol has many negative effects. It can raise blood pressure as well as harm the liver, brain, and heart. Alcoholic beverages contain calories, which matter if you are trying to lose weight. Too much alcohol can also negatively affect your behavior, mood, and memory. Alcohol can also result in deadly consequences, especially when mixed with driving.

What constitutes as a drink?
As stated before, moderate alcohol consumption is typically defined as one drink per day for women and two for men. When determining how much alcohol to consume, consider what amounts count as a drink:

• 12 ounces of beer (regular or light, 150 calories), or
• 5 ounces of wine (100 calories), or
• 1 ½ ounces of 80-proof whiskey (100 calories)
  

Alcoholism
Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a disease that can often be identified from four main symptoms:

• Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.
• Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
• Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
• Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”
  

Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. The following links provide more information on how to find out if you or someone you know has a problem and where to find help:

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• The Partnership for a Drug Free America

(Courtesy of the National Volunteer Fire Council) 

More Topics and Sites

Everyone Goes Home 
Recognizing the need to do more to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has developed a national program to bring prevention efforts to the forefront.

NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program
This site is dedicated to saving firefighters and EMS personnel from their leading cause of death:  heart disease. Tools included are for firefighters, departments and families.

Fired Up for Fitness
As a firefighter, it's important that you can meet the physical demands of being on duty. The NVFC has designed this program to help you meet your fitness goals. 

Fit to Survive
Created by the IAFF, here you can find advice and practical information on staying fit and healthy, as well as healthy recipes and nutrition tips.

Emergency Vehicle Safety Initiative
Almost 25% of yearly firefighter fatalities result from motor vehicle crashes.  The U.S. Fire Administration created this report to identify practices that have the potential to decrease risk, as  well as to reduce the number of injuries and deaths that occur while responding to and returning from incidents (PDF format).

Infectious Disease
This document by the IAFF sheds light on infectious disease exposure and risk among firefighters and what can be done about it (PDF format).