Injured Emergency Workers are the Focus in a New Study

Firefighters and EMS workers who have been injured on the job will be the focus of an innovative study. This study will help departments improve the care of their emergency workers.

Houston, TX-September 9, 2003-Firefighter Ministries, Inc. (FFM) has formally announced today that they will be conducting a 12-month comprehensive study that will focus on firefighters and EMS personnel who have been injured in the line of duty. The mission of the study is to gather statistics regarding the financial, emotional, and physical effects of a line of duty injury. The purpose of the study is to assess the needs of those injured. At the conclusion of the study the information will be compiled and shared with interested departments and organizations to help assist them with addressing these important needs.

Through its Phoenix Project, Firefighter Ministries has been working with and assessing the needs of those who have been injured in the line of duty since 1999. The focus of this work has been on the social aspects of being injured and on the emotional and physical recovery of the injured. Frequently, Firefighter Ministries has learned that many emergency workers are being left to personally pay the health care bills that are accrued after an injury. Firefighter Ministries has also learned that nearly every injured emergency worker has felt that support from his or her department was severely lacking. There are many departments that are not adequately prepared to handle a serious injury on a financial level, on a policy and procedural level, and on a personal level.

Firefighter Ministries would like to help improve how emergency service workers are cared for after an injury. In order to help us to clearly identify the needs FFM will be conducting an official study for a twelve-month period, running from September 2003 through September 2004. During this time, FFM will be collecting information regarding finances, medical care, psychological care and departmental support after an injury. After the study has concluded, FFM will provide suggestions on improvement in the methods of care for the injured, education programs, and an extensive support structure for those who are dealing with an injury.

Firefighter Ministries would like to invite firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, whether volunteer or paid, who have been injured in the line of duty to participate in this study. Those who are interested in participating can visit our website:
http://www.theultimatefirehouse.com/injured_firefighter.htm.
Private information such as name, contact information, or department name will not be required to participate in this study.

Firefighter Ministries is a nationally recognized 501 C 3 organization that cares for the social/human needs of emergency service workers. Since 1998, FFM has been helping emergency service workers meet the challenges of living and working as a public servant.

For additional information please visit: www.firefighterministries.org or call 281-335-5434.