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A Gap Analysis Survey of US Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Members to Determine Highly Infectious Disease Training and Education Needs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2018

Aurora B. Le Open the ORCID record for Aurora B. Le [Opens in a new window] ,
Rene Herron ,
Jocelyn J. Herstein ,
Katelyn C. Jelden ,
Elizabeth L. Beam ,
Shawn G. Gibbs ,
John J. Lowe  and
Todd D. Smith
Aurora B. Le*
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana
Rene Herron
Affiliation:
Department of Security & Emergency Services, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, Daytona Beach, Florida
Jocelyn J. Herstein
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental, Occupational and Agricultural Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Katelyn C. Jelden
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Elizabeth L. Beam
Affiliation:
Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, Omaha, Nebraska College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Shawn G. Gibbs
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana
John J. Lowe
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental, Occupational and Agricultural Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, Omaha, Nebraska
Todd D. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Aurora B. Le, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, 1025 E. Seventh Street, PH 011A, Bloomington, IN 47405 (e-mail: able@indiana.edu).
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Abstract

Objective

Despite lessons learned from the recent Ebola epidemic, attempts to survey and determine non-health care worker, industry-specific needs to address highly infectious diseases have been minimal. The aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) industry is often overlooked in highly infectious disease training and education, even though it is critical to their field due to elevated occupational exposure risk during their operations.

Methods

A 44-question gap analysis survey was distributed to the ARFF Working Group to determine where highly infectious education and training can be improved. In total, N=245 responses were initiated and collected. Descriptive statistics were generated utilizing Qualtrics Software Version 2016.17©.

Results

Supervisors perceived Frontline respondents to be more willing and comfortable to encounter potential highly infectious disease scenarios than the Frontline indicated. More than one-third of respondents incorrectly marked transmission routes of viral hemorrhagic fevers. There were discrepancies in self-reports on the existence of highly infectious disease orientation and skills demonstration, employee resources, and personal protective equipment policies, with a range of 7.5%-24.0% more Supervisors than Frontline respondents marking activities as conducted.

Conclusions

There are deficits in highly infectious disease knowledge, skills, and abilities among ARFF members that must be addressed to enhance member safety, health, and well-being. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:675-679)

Keywords

emergency respondersinfection controloccupational exposure
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 675 - 679
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2018 

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References

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