This book is an overview of the hazards of firefighting, the health risks of exposure to combustion products that characterize firefighting, the science behind interpreting these risks for purposes of identifying diseases as work-related, and the legal and policy implications of adopting legislated "presumption" for purposes of compensation. The emphasis of the book is on the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, traumatic hazards, and disabling psychosocial adjustment following major incidents. Those interested in this book will include scientists studying firefighters, fire service managers with responsibility for occupational health and prevention, lawyers and workers' compensation case managers, and professionals who are retained to render opinions regarding a case or claim. The relevance of material in this book is not limited to firefighting as an occupation. The occupational health and compensation issues in firefighting are a model for other occupations because they have been well studied and worked out. The chapters on epidemiology, interpretation of evidence, and compensation policy also apply to other occupations and compensation issues. The health risks and hazards and can be used as a model for other issues in occupational health and compensation, and hos these issues are analyzed, interpreted, and address by public policy.

Autorentext
Tee L. Guidotti, MD, MPH, DABT (DABT is a recognized toxicology credential), physician, occupational epidemiologist, toxicologist. Dr. Guidotti will serve as overall editor. Alex Forrest, LLD, lawyer, firefighter and President of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg (IAFF) Nancy Lightfoot, PhD, MSc, occupational and community health, cancer epidemiologist and expert on wildfire effects.

Inhalt

1. Introduction, Ambassador Gary Doe.- 2. Fire fighters at risk, Tee Guidotti.- 3. Fire fighting, Alex Forrest.- 4. Traumatic Hazards of Fire fighting, Alex Forrest.- 5. Ergonomic Hazards of Fire fighting, Tee Guidotti.- 6. Toxic Hazards of Fire fighting,Tee Guidotti.- 7. Psychosocial Hazards of Fire fighting, Nancy Lightfoot.- 8. Assessing the Health Risks of Fire fighting: Epidemiology, Nancy Lightfoot.- 9. Interpreting Health Risks for Compensation, Tee Guidotti.- 10. Cardiovascular Risks of Fire fighting, Nancy Lightfoot.- 11.Respiratory Risks of Fire fighting,  Tee Guidotti.- 12. Cancer Risk and Fire fighting, Tee Guidotti.- 13. Reducing the Risks of Fire fighting, Alex Forrest.- 14.Compensating the Risks of Fire fighting, Alex Forrest.- 15.  Presumption and Fairness in Compensation, Alex Forrest.- 16. Impact of Fair Compensation on the Fire Service, Alex Forrest and Ken Block.