NIOSH Report on 2004 Cardiac Arrest
NIOSH has published a report on a 2004 line of duty death in New York due to cardiac arrest.
On May 13, 2004, a 42 year-old male volunteer Fire Fighter (FF) suffered a cardiac arrest while battling a residential structure fire. He had engaged in hose pulling and exterior fire suppression activities for approximately 15 minutes. Shortly thereafter, fellow fire fighters reported that he "did not look right." On-scene Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel were summoned to assist the FF, only to find him at the back of the rescue truck in cardiac arrest.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was immediately begun. Once the on-scene ambulance relocated to the FF's vicinity, advanced life support (ALS) protocols were initiated and continued en route to the hospital. His condition failed to improve. Despite over 30 minutes of resuscitative efforts at the scene, in the ambulance, and at the hospital, the FF died.
The death certificate completed by the medical examiner listed the immediate cause of death as an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) with physical exertion in a hot, humid environment listed as a contributing cause. An autopsy was not performed. NIOSH investigators concluded that the FF's heavy physical exertion, coupled with his probable underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) triggered his sudden cardiac death.
Here is the recommendation from the report that caught my eye:
Phase in a mandatory wellness/fitness program for FFs to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and improve cardiovascular capacity.
Having a "mandatory" wellness/fitness program is a pretty tall order for small, volunteer departments. Most of the time, these departments are just happy to have people available, regardless of their physical fitness.
Is this a good situation? No way. Even in those departments that are short of volunteers, there needs to be fitness programs available. Here is guide from the USFA on implementing a fitness program in volunteer departments. Tons of info.
