Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS ... - NAEMT

<strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sleep</strong> <strong>Deprivation</strong> on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders
Appendix 6.3: Data Collection Methodology
Information for this review was gathered from three primary sources: database searches, internet searches
and consultation with experts in fire fighting and EMS personnel issues and those knowledgeable concerning
sleep and chronobiology. The English language literature was reviewed for papers and other works published
from 1996 onwards.
The databases searched were Ovid, MEDLINE and PUBMED using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH)
terms and keywords: emergency services personnel, emergency medicine technician, paramedic, fire fighter/
firefighter, fire service, first responder, emergency medical services (EMS), shift work, shift, sleep, sleep
deprivation, stress, workload, work schedule tolerance, circadian rhythm, chronobiology and personnel
staffing. Papers were selected based on their content, relevancy, author, and research validity. Additional
articles were selected by reviewing citations and reference lists <strong>of</strong> already accessed literature. For information
in the Sections on the transportation industry and postgraduate medical training, analogous search strategies
were applied with the use <strong>of</strong> terms related to those workers.
A similar strategy was used for the internet search, and potentially relevant sites were accessed and
explored for information. Those sites are cited and listed in the references and where appropriate, in the
text. Compilation <strong>of</strong> the most useful sites is listed below.
As is typical for evidence-based reviews, our goal was to provide a critical appraisal <strong>of</strong> the evidence.
Because this involved a range <strong>of</strong> materials and perspectives, synthesizing the findings was sometimes
challenging, but necessary to assist readers in using the information. Our objective was for the information
to serve as a resource for fire fighters and EMS responders.
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (www.acgme.org)
American Transportation Research Institute (www.atri-online.org/)
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (www.ccohs.ca/)
Canadian Marine Pilots fatigue management <strong>of</strong> Transport Canada (www.tc.gc.ca/tdc/publication/pdf/13900/13958e.pdf)
Cardiff University’s Seafarer fatigue report (www.itfglobal.org/files/seealsodocs/3165/fatigue%5Fwhere%5Fnext.pdf)
Department <strong>of</strong> Health and Human Services. Healthy people 2010: Understanding and improving health
(www.healthypeople.gov/)
Department <strong>of</strong> Transportation (DOT) (www.dot.gov/)
Emergency Medical Services Resources (www.jems.com/)*
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration <strong>of</strong> the DOT (www.fmcsa.dot.gov)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program <strong>of</strong> NIOSH (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/)
International Association <strong>of</strong> Fire Chiefs (www.iafc.org/)*
International Association <strong>of</strong> Fire Fighters (www.iaff.org/)*
Firehouse Forums (www.forums.firehouse.com)
National Association <strong>of</strong> Emergency Medical Technicians (www.naemt.org)
National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System (www.firefighternearmiss.com)
National Fire Protection Agency (www.nfpa.org)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.gov)
National <strong>Sleep</strong> Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org)
National Transportation Safety Board (www.ntsb.gov)
National Volunteer Fire Council (www.nvfc.org/)
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (www.nwcg.gov)
Road Safety Monitor (trafficinjuryresearch.com/whatNew/newsItemPDFs/RSM_Drowsy_Driving_2004.pdf)
Seafarer fatigues: the Cardiff Research Programme (www.socp.org/Cardiff%20research_report.pdf)
Truck Safety Coalition (www.trucksafety.org/Hours_FAQ.php)
United States Coast Guard Crew Endurance Management (www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/cems/i)
United States Fire Administration (www.usfa.dhs.gov/)*
Wildland Fire Safety & Health Reporting Network (safenet.nifc.gov/safenet.nsf)
Wildland Firefighter Health & Safety Report (www.fs.fed.us/fire/safety/h_s_rpts/spring_2002/shiftlen.htm)
Wildland Firefighter Magazine (www.firerescue1.com)
*These and other sites listed have extensive links to additional related sites and resources.
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