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Perspectives of Volunteer Firefighters during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stumbling Blocks and Silver Linings

Author

Listed:
  • Alice A. Gaughan

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Laura J. Rush

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Sarah R. MacEwan

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Division of General Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Ashish R. Panchal

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Ann Scheck McAlearney

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of almost every individual in every nation, with numbers of infections continuing to grow. Across these nations, first responders are essential in their roles addressing emergencies, despite their risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the course of their work. We sought to understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of volunteer firefighters in the United States, an understudied group of these first responders. Interviews were conducted with volunteer firefighters between September and November 2021. Interviews were analyzed using deductive dominant thematic analysis. Thirty-three firefighters were interviewed who had an average of 22 years of service and a mean age of 52 years. Interviewees described pandemic-related challenges including the fear of COVID exposure and frustrations with work and personal relationships. They also identified unexpected work-related benefits including a deepened commitment to serve and improvements to training and safety. Further, some volunteers noted personal benefits such as developing stronger connections with others, having a new outlook on life, and observing goodwill. Our findings provide insight into the multifaceted and complex impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volunteer firefighters.

Suggested Citation

  • Alice A. Gaughan & Laura J. Rush & Sarah R. MacEwan & Ashish R. Panchal & Ann Scheck McAlearney, 2022. "Perspectives of Volunteer Firefighters during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stumbling Blocks and Silver Linings," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:13:y:2022:i:2:p:46-:d:911322
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mojtaba Vaismoradi & Hannele Turunen & Terese Bondas, 2013. "Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 398-405, September.
    2. Benjamin Saunders & Julius Sim & Tom Kingstone & Shula Baker & Jackie Waterfield & Bernadette Bartlam & Heather Burroughs & Clare Jinks, 2018. "Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1893-1907, July.
    3. Megan E. Gregory & Sarah R. MacEwan & Alice A. Gaughan & Laura J. Rush & Jonathan R. Powell & Jordan D. Kurth & Eben Kenah & Ashish R. Panchal & Ann Scheck McAlearney, 2022. "Closing the Gap on COVID-19 Vaccinations in First Responders and Beyond: Increasing Trust," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-17, January.
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