• Audrey A Reichard, Suzanne M Marsh, and Paul H Moore.
• Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA.
• Prehosp Emerg Care. 2011 Oct 1;15(4):511-7.

BackgroundEmergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics serve as primary providers of urgent medical care and are integral components in disaster response. They are at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries during these activities.ObjectivesTo describe fatal and nonfatal injuries occurring to EMTs and paramedics.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and the occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-Work) for the period 2003-2007.ResultsWe identified 99,400 (95% confidence interval [CI], 71,700, 127,100) nonfatal injuries treated in emergency departments and 65 fatal injuries from the period 2003-2007. Most fatalities were related to motor vehicle incidents (45%) and aircraft crashes (31%). Among compensated EMTs and paramedics, the rate of fatal injuries was 6.3 per 100,000 full-time equivalents. Nonfatal injuries were primarily associated with stress on some part of the body from motion or overexertion (33%). Among all nonfatal injuries, the most common diagnosis was sprains and strains (38%).ConclusionsEmergency medical technicians and paramedics have higher fatal injury rates when compared with all workers. To reduce fatalities, targeted efforts should be made to prevent ground and air transportation incidents. Reducing nonfatal injuries may be accomplished by developing and evaluating interventions to prevent bodily stress and overexertion injuries.

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