Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendations
Abstract Background Emergency service vehicle crashes (ESVCs) are a leading cause of death in the United States fire service. Risk management (RM) is a proactive process for identifying occupational risks and reducing hazards and unwanted events through an iterative process of scoping hazards, risk...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-017-4894-3 |
| _version_ | 1818975056218292224 |
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| author | David P. Bui Keshia Pollack Porter Stephanie Griffin Dustin D. French Alesia M. Jung Stephen Crothers Jefferey L. Burgess |
| author_facet | David P. Bui Keshia Pollack Porter Stephanie Griffin Dustin D. French Alesia M. Jung Stephen Crothers Jefferey L. Burgess |
| author_sort | David P. Bui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Emergency service vehicle crashes (ESVCs) are a leading cause of death in the United States fire service. Risk management (RM) is a proactive process for identifying occupational risks and reducing hazards and unwanted events through an iterative process of scoping hazards, risk assessment, and implementing controls. We describe the process, outputs, and lessons learned from the application of a proactive RM process to reduce ESVCs in US fire departments. Methods Three fire departments representative of urban, suburban, and rural geographies, participated in a facilitated RM process delivered through focus groups and stakeholder discussion. Crash reports from department databases were reviewed to characterize the context, circumstances, hazards and risks of ESVCs. Identified risks were ranked using a risk matrix that considered risk likelihood and severity. Department-specific control measures were selected based on group consensus. Interviews, and focus groups were used to assess acceptability and utility of the RM process and perceived facilitators and barriers of implementation. Results Three to six RM meetings were conducted at each fire department. There were 7.4 crashes per 100 personnel in the urban department and 10.5 per 100 personnel in the suburban department; the rural department experienced zero crashes. All departments identified emergency response, backing, on scene struck by, driver distraction, vehicle/road visibility, and driver training as high or medium concerns. Additional high priority risks varied by department; the urban department prioritized turning and rear ending crashes; the suburban firefighters prioritized inclement weather/road environment and low visibility related crashes; and the rural volunteer fire department prioritized exiting station, vehicle failure, and inclement weather/road environment related incidents. Selected controls included new policies and standard operating procedures to reduce emergency response, cameras to enhance driver visibility while backing, and increased training frequency and enhanced training. The RM process was generally acceptable to department participants and considered useful. All departments reported that the focused and systematic analysis of crashes was particularly helpful. Implementation of controls was a commonly cited challenge. Conclusions Proactive RM of ESVCs in three US fire departments was positively received and supported the establishment of interventions tailored to each department’s needs and priorities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:49:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dffbbafa2f7a44a3abf5034118b3950e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:49:53Z |
| publishDate | 2017-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-dffbbafa2f7a44a3abf5034118b3950e2022-12-21T19:34:45ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582017-11-0117111110.1186/s12889-017-4894-3Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendationsDavid P. Bui0Keshia Pollack Porter1Stephanie Griffin2Dustin D. French3Alesia M. Jung4Stephen Crothers5Jefferey L. Burgess6Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Drachman HallJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and PolicyMel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Drachman HallCenter for Healthcare Studies, Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineMel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Drachman HallSeattle Fire DepartmentMel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Drachman HallAbstract Background Emergency service vehicle crashes (ESVCs) are a leading cause of death in the United States fire service. Risk management (RM) is a proactive process for identifying occupational risks and reducing hazards and unwanted events through an iterative process of scoping hazards, risk assessment, and implementing controls. We describe the process, outputs, and lessons learned from the application of a proactive RM process to reduce ESVCs in US fire departments. Methods Three fire departments representative of urban, suburban, and rural geographies, participated in a facilitated RM process delivered through focus groups and stakeholder discussion. Crash reports from department databases were reviewed to characterize the context, circumstances, hazards and risks of ESVCs. Identified risks were ranked using a risk matrix that considered risk likelihood and severity. Department-specific control measures were selected based on group consensus. Interviews, and focus groups were used to assess acceptability and utility of the RM process and perceived facilitators and barriers of implementation. Results Three to six RM meetings were conducted at each fire department. There were 7.4 crashes per 100 personnel in the urban department and 10.5 per 100 personnel in the suburban department; the rural department experienced zero crashes. All departments identified emergency response, backing, on scene struck by, driver distraction, vehicle/road visibility, and driver training as high or medium concerns. Additional high priority risks varied by department; the urban department prioritized turning and rear ending crashes; the suburban firefighters prioritized inclement weather/road environment and low visibility related crashes; and the rural volunteer fire department prioritized exiting station, vehicle failure, and inclement weather/road environment related incidents. Selected controls included new policies and standard operating procedures to reduce emergency response, cameras to enhance driver visibility while backing, and increased training frequency and enhanced training. The RM process was generally acceptable to department participants and considered useful. All departments reported that the focused and systematic analysis of crashes was particularly helpful. Implementation of controls was a commonly cited challenge. Conclusions Proactive RM of ESVCs in three US fire departments was positively received and supported the establishment of interventions tailored to each department’s needs and priorities.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-017-4894-3Risk managementFire serviceSafety and healthTraffic accidentsInjury preventionCrash prevention |
| spellingShingle | David P. Bui Keshia Pollack Porter Stephanie Griffin Dustin D. French Alesia M. Jung Stephen Crothers Jefferey L. Burgess Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendations BMC Public Health Risk management Fire service Safety and health Traffic accidents Injury prevention Crash prevention |
| title | Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendations |
| title_full | Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendations |
| title_fullStr | Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendations |
| title_short | Risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the United States fire service: process, outputs, and recommendations |
| title_sort | risk management of emergency service vehicle crashes in the united states fire service process outputs and recommendations |
| topic | Risk management Fire service Safety and health Traffic accidents Injury prevention Crash prevention |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-017-4894-3 |
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