Authors : Padma C Shaji

Volume/Issue : Volume 5 - 2020, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://goo.gl/DF9R4u

Scribd : https://bit.ly/3a64cXK

Abstract : In times of crisis and imminent danger or hazard when the most common response is to run away, there are men and women whose job it is to run towards the danger to serve and protect their community. Firefighters are one among those professionals who endanger their lives in their aspiration of saving lives, property, and the environment. The present study aims understand the factors that contribute to cognitive impairment and PTSD. The sample for the present study consists of twenty each of field working, office working and both field and office working firefighters The firefighters are selected from Fire and Rescue Departments in Angamaly and Aluva in Ernakulam district of Kerala state. Permission were obtained personally from concerned authorities of Fire and Rescue Departments. Tools such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Posttraumatic Stress Scale – Interview version for DSM-5 (PSSI-5) were used. Obtained data were analyzed using statistical techniques like Student's t-test, One way ANOVA and Post-hoc comparison (Scheffe's test). The study revealed that both field and office working firefighters had significant cognitive impairment than only office working firefighters. Results also showed significant differences in PTSD for field and both field and office working firefighters compared to office working firefighters. There were also significant differences based on age, marital status and years of experiences on both cognitive impairment and PTSD.

Keywords : Cognitive impairment, Post Traumatic Stress disorder, Firefighters.