Perceptions of work stress in Australian firefighters

Surveyed 747 Australian firefighters (aged 21–60 yrs) on their perceptions of work stress. The current emphasis in the fire brigades is on the management of traumatic or critical incident stress, but other work stressors may also be important. Ss rated their jobs as more stressful than other occupations, and psychological work stress as highest among a set of potential sources and types of stress. Although many factors were mentioned, the most frequently indicated stressors were associated with exposure to traumatic incidents such as major accidents or the suffering of others. Ss with previous experience with stress were more likely to rate current and future risk of stress as higher. Knowledge of existing organizational approaches to stress management was limited. Ss rated individual and informal sessions for dealing with stress as potentially more useful than the formal debriefing sessions now common in many emergency organizations. Ss with previous experience with stress, however, were more likely to favor a formal organizational approach.