The Impact of Trauma on Firefighters and Their Families

Abstract

This chapter outlines the key issues that face firefighters, including prevalence of trauma-related mental health issues, the differing impact of disaster response, violence, fatalities, and cumulative stress. The risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder are explained, with attention to fixed and variable factors. Stigma and barriers to help-seeking are explored with consideration of issues specific to firefighters, and an overview of how to influence protective factors is provided. There are other aspects of firefighting other than trauma exposure that impact wellbeing; the impact of shift work, sleep disruption, alcohol use, and relationship stress are outlined. Finally, this chapter discusses the impact of firefighting on partners and families.