Firefighters’ Second Jobs Raise Fireground Risk by Cutting Recovery Time

1 articles · Updated · Firehouse · May 21

Secondary employment is increasing fireground risk by reducing firefighters’ recovery time despite shift schedules designed to limit fatigue.
Fatigue on scene can produce delayed or incomplete size-ups, missed hazards, poor prioritization and communication breakdowns among firefighters and company officers.
Pay levels shape that risk: better-paid firefighters are more likely to use days off for rest, family time and recovery instead of taking extra work.

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