David P Bui1, Samantha Balland2, Casey Giblin2, Alesia M Jung2, Sandy Kramer2, Abigail Peng2, Marie Corazon Ponce Aquino2, Stephanie Griffin2, Dustin D French3, Keshia Pollack Porter4, Steve Crothers5, Jefferey L Burgess2. 1. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. Electronic address: davidbui@email.arizona.edu. 2. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 440, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 633 N. Saint Clair, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service, Chicago, 5000 5th Ave, Hines, IL 60141, USA. 4. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MS 21205, USA. 5. Seattle Fire Department, 301 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emergency service vehicle incidents (ESVI), including crashes, rollovers, and roadside struck-by-incidents, are a leading cause of occupational fatality and injury among firefighters and other emergency responders. Though there are numerous strategies and interventions to prevent ESVIs, the evidence base for these strategies is limited and dispersed. The goal of this study was to gather and present a review of evidence-based ESVI interventions. METHODS: We searched five academic databases for articles published within the last decade featuring interventions to reduce or prevent ESVIs. We interviewed key informants from fire departments serving major metropolitan areas for additional interventions. Interventions from both sources were summarized and data on intervention effectiveness were reported when available. RESULTS: Sixty-five articles were included in the final review and 17 key informant interviews were completed. Most articles focused on vehicle engineering interventions (38%), followed by policy and administration interventions (26%), environmental engineering interventions (19%) and education or training (17%). Most key informants reported policy (49%) and training interventions (29%). Enhanced drivers' training and risk management programs were associated with 19-50% and 19-58% reductions in ESVIs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Only a limited number of interventions to address ESVIs had adequate outcome data. Based on the available data, training and risk management approaches may be particularly effective approaches to reducing ESVIs.
BACKGROUND: Emergency service vehicle incidents (ESVI), including crashes, rollovers, and roadside struck-by-incidents, are a leading cause of occupational fatality and injury among firefighters and other emergency responders. Though there are numerous strategies and interventions to prevent ESVIs, the evidence base for these strategies is limited and dispersed. The goal of this study was to gather and present a review of evidence-based ESVI interventions. METHODS: We searched five academic databases for articles published within the last decade featuring interventions to reduce or prevent ESVIs. We interviewed key informants from fire departments serving major metropolitan areas for additional interventions. Interventions from both sources were summarized and data on intervention effectiveness were reported when available. RESULTS: Sixty-five articles were included in the final review and 17 key informant interviews were completed. Most articles focused on vehicle engineering interventions (38%), followed by policy and administration interventions (26%), environmental engineering interventions (19%) and education or training (17%). Most key informants reported policy (49%) and training interventions (29%). Enhanced drivers' training and risk management programs were associated with 19-50% and 19-58% reductions in ESVIs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Only a limited number of interventions to address ESVIs had adequate outcome data. Based on the available data, training and risk management approaches may be particularly effective approaches to reducing ESVIs.