Some jobs are harder than others. This is especially true when it comes to those that serve society. A poster child for a kind of job that requires a large amount of sacrifice is being a firefighter. Being surrounded by life-threatening situations every day makes firefighting a job that requires a lot of risk-taking.

Being tasked with dowsing a colossal flame or saving people from a burning building is no easy feat. The job of a firefighter doesn’t even stop at firefighting. A host of natural calamities, from earthquakes to floods, see firefighters coming to the rescue.

But as it turns out, firefighters take on more risks than what meets the eye. Here are some risks firefighters take on that you might not be aware of:

Stress and Mental Health Disorders

Due to the optics, and fueled by popular media, firefighting often appears to be a heroic job. Unlike in the movies, however, firefighters are not invincible, and the risk to their health is not limited to the physical realm.

A less-discussed effect on a firefighter is the mental toll the job takes. Add to this the stigma attached by many responders to seeking help, and the problem can quickly fester.

A study by the Ruderman Family Foundation reveals that firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than while being on duty. This is the case with police officers as well.

An even more hair-raising report was released by Florida State University studying suicide in firefighters. According to the report that surveyed more than 1,000 firefighters from the U.S., 47% of respondents said they had considered suicide. 

A report released by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation reflects these findings. According to this report, 100 to 200 firefighters succumb to suicide each year.

Exposure to Carcinogens

Despite its various benefits, fire can be lethal. For firefighters, this risk is obvious. The smoke, however, can be almost as lethal.

From our sofas to our windows, most things around us are a composite of synthetic materials. While this makes them cheap and durable, it also means they release carcinogens when they burn.

Carcinogens are essentially substances that can cause cancer. Common carcinogens found at the site of a fire include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel exhaust, asbestos, and benzene.

It turns out that the substances firefighters use to combat a fire can also expose them to carcinogens. TorHoerman Law points out that Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF Firefighting Foam) was commonly used by firefighters until it was revealed that materials used in its production were linked to a variety of cancers.

Known as per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), these chemicals do not easily break down, meaning they can be retained in the environment and in our bodies. After an AFFF lawsuit was filed and further research conducted, manufacturers are now looking to switch to safer alternatives.

Heart Disease

In somewhat of a shocking revelation, it was revealed that more than 45% of firefighter deaths are caused by coronary artery disease (CAD). Though this number accounts for co-morbidities. too, it is sufficient proof of heart disease being a very real risk that firefighters face.

It is theorized that a big reason behind the increased risk of heart disease firefighters face is the gear they have to wear on duty. Due to an arduous environment, firefighters have to wear heavy protective clothing and carry with them rescue equipment. Due to the protective gear being insulated, considerable strain is put on the firefighter’s cardiovascular system. To add to this, PFAS traces were found in firefighter gear as well.

Previous studies have shown that smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity are also prevalent among firefighters, amplifying their risk of heart disease.

Exhaustion

Firefighters usually work in shifts. While shift timings are programmed to prevent over-exhaustion, they are effective only to a limited degree. A firefighter will often work a shift of 24 hours followed by a 48-hour off period. Alternatively, they can work 10-12 hours for 3-4 days in a row. In times of emergency, however, firefighters could see themselves on duty for more than a day.

Conclusion

Firefighting is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Every single day that a firefighter walks into work, they are putting themselves in grave danger. We are still learning the various risks firefighters undertake. But, there are certainly more than the common man is aware of.

Now, the next time a firefighter shows up to save the day, you know just how hard they are working.