Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
David Harris
Abstract
AbstractFirefighter injuries add significant costs to fire department budgets and negatively impact operational readiness. Fire service leaders who lack strategies to minimize firefighter injury risk increased department costs and reduced operational readiness. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies fire service leaders use to minimize firefighter injuries. The participants included fire chiefs in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who successfully implemented strategies to minimize firefighter injuries. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and a review of fire department policies and records concerning firefighter injuries and injury prevention. Thematic analysis of the data resulted in the following emergent themes: administrative policies and procedures, personal protective equipment programs, apparatus and equipment design changes or purchases, wellness or fitness programs, physical and mental assessments of firefighters, education and training aimed at firefighter injury reduction, and personal protective equipment for multiple purposes. A key recommendation is developing and nurturing relationships to inspire injury reduction strategies. The implications for positive social change include reduced human suffering and reduced operational and financial impact on local municipalities.
Recommended Citation
Stowers, Anthony, "Combating Firefighter Line of Duty Injuries" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12561.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12561
