FDSOA, FIRST Center launch FOCUS 3.0 survey to study firefighter injuries, wellness

By FireRescue1 Staff

PHILADELPHIA — The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) and the Center for Firefighter Injury Research & Safety Trends (FIRST Center) at the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health have partnered to launch the third Fire service Organizational Culture of Safety (FOCUS) survey to the U.S. fire and rescue service.

The FOCUS survey tool is designed to predict firefighter injuries and important organizational outcomes, such as burnout, job satisfaction and work engagement. The latest version provides data on 14 additional metrics, including mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression.

Developed with funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the FOCUS survey supports the Everyone Goes Home program’s Firefighter Life Safety Initiative #1 on fire service safety culture.

To date, over 500 fire departments and 60,000 firefighters have assessed with FOCUS. Further, the announcement from the FIRST Center notes that, “Most importantly, departments who have assessed with FOCUS are using their results to implement organizational improvements.”

To participate in the survey to measure your department’s safety culture, fill out this form to enroll in FOCUS.

For questions, contact FIRST Center Associate Director Andrea Davis (aly25@drexel.edu, 267-359-6059) or Education & Training Coordinator Alex Fisher (abt57@drexel.edu, 954-615-7306).