Firefighter Medical Surveillance/Duty Fitness Evaluation of Content and Reporting Format: Compliance with Federal and Other Recognized Standards

Lin, Rick H, Firefighter Medical Surveillance/Duty Fitness Evaluation of Content and Reporting Format: Compliance with Federal and Other Recognized Standards. Master of Public Health (DO/MPH Dual Degree Track), May, 2001, 41 pp., 7 tables, bibliography, 11 titles. The University of North Texas Health Science Center analyzed data collected by the Public Health Preventive Medicine (PHPM) Clinic at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in the course of medical surveillance and duty fitness exams for the City of Rowlett, Texas, HAZMAT Team. Data was analyzed for content and reporting format to determine compliance with federal and other recognized standards. An aggregate report of continuous and categorical data was also created. The subjects were all firefighters in the City of Rowlett Fire Department, Rowlett, Texas. The data was collected from the results of physical exams performed on the members of this population between the period of 1-1-1996 and 12-31-1996. There were a total of sixteen subjects. (n=16) These firefighters are all HAZMAT Team members. The overall content of the medical surveillance and duty fitness examinations was evaluated. The compliance in content of medical history and physical examination to the recognized standards established by OSHA, EPA, and NFPA was examined. The physical characteristics and health of this population of firefighters is described based on the data collected. The result of the comparison shows that the UNTHSC PHPM Clinic’s forms for the history and medical exams did not completely incorporate the recognized standards. The content of the medical surveillance and duty fitness exams was in compliance with and often exceeded recognized standards.