Citation

Houser RS. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0000000000002524

PMID

35195111

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: As early as 2002, researchers were calling the occupational fatalities in EMS, a hidden crisis. Little consideration has been given to the needs for a safer working environment.

METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis of Line of Duty Death data of NJ EMS workers from 1912 to 2020.

RESULTS: There were 81 reported LODDs. LODDs were greater for the 2000 s period than the 1900 s period and the results were the same when outliers were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS: Efforts are needed to study the plethora of threats to EMS providers in order to target mitigation measures to implement a safety environment within a hot zone of potential threats. These threats are not novel, but it is time for novel solutions to mirror the efforts afforded to fire and police personnel, ensuring a fully safe and resilient public safety sector.

Language: en