Evaluation of the Implementation of the NFFF Stress First Aid Intervention in Career Fire Departments: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Sara A. Jahnke, Patricia Watson, Frank Leto, Nattinee Jitnarin, Christopher M. Kaipust, Brittany S. Hollerbach (), Christopher K. Haddock, W. S. Carlos Poston and Richard Gist
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Sara A. Jahnke: Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Inc., Leawood, KS 66224, USA
Patricia Watson: National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA
Frank Leto: FDNY, Counseling Services Unit, Fort Totten, NY 10314, USA
Nattinee Jitnarin: Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Inc., Leawood, KS 66224, USA
Christopher M. Kaipust: Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Inc., Leawood, KS 66224, USA
Brittany S. Hollerbach: Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Inc., Leawood, KS 66224, USA
Christopher K. Haddock: Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Inc., Leawood, KS 66224, USA
W. S. Carlos Poston: Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Inc., Leawood, KS 66224, USA
Richard Gist: KCMO Fire Department, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: Firefighting is inherently dangerous, though recently concerns have shifted from traditional fireground injuries (burns and asphyxiation) to a focus on mental and behavioral health. Although firefighters are remarkably resilient, research suggests many suffer negative psychological consequences from repeated exposures to trauma. While the Stress First Aid (SFA) model has gained increased attention and adoption among fire departments as a model for behavioral health training, it has not been formally evaluated. This cluster randomized controlled trial used a crossover design comparing the immediate SFA group to delayed SFA control to test the impact of the SFA on firefighters’ mental and behavioral health changes after 10–12 months ( n = 400; Mage = 37.6, 4.8% women). A convenience sample of 79 firefighters (Mage = 41.4; 8.7% women) provided evaluations on one or more of the training modules. Participants reported satisfaction with all training components (Peer team training 97.6%, Online SFA 94.9%, Curbside Manner 88.4%, After Action Review 89.4%) and reported success in changing personnel’s perception of their department’s ability to respond to behavioral health issues (SFA M = 3.93, Control 3.50; t = 2.52, p = 0.042). Future work should focus on additional resources and training to augment existing efforts to help departments continue their efforts.

Keywords: clinical trials; resilience; peer support groups; emergency personnel; general trauma exposure; evidence-based intervention; firefighter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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