Course leader presentation: Raymond Olsen and Mariann Sandsund

Firefighter Work and Health
1st – 3rd of November 2022
Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim, Norway

Why is the health of firefighters important to discuss in 2022?

Hot environmental conditions and high work intensity expose firefighters to significant levels of thermoregulatory stress. Also, many known and suspected carcinogenic substances have been demonstrated during firefighting.

In addition to direct exposure during firefighting, the personal protective equipment and gears may be an important source of hazardous exposures.

An increased demand for new knowledge and a better understanding of factors leading to health problems and illnesses among firefighters is needed and these topics are addressed in this course. Climate change, increased ambient temperatures and increased amount of fires makes these topics important to discuss.

What can participants expect from this course?

The course will increase your knowledge about challenges and health effects related to firefighting work. It will give insight into exposure assessments, physiological mechanisms, as well as health effects, especially related to cancer. Relevant prevention strategies on firefighting methods and PPE will be discussed.

You are warmly welcome to Trondheim and Norway to discuss “Firefighter Work and Health” with high-quality speakers from the Nordic countries and others interested in the field of occupational health and safety in firefighting.

And what is your own background?

Raymond is a research professor at the research group for Chemical Work Environment at the National Institute of Occupational Health in Norway (STAMI).

He is an analytical chemist with 20 years’ experience in the chemical work environment field and he is currently the principal investigator in three STAMI research projects, including one project investigating the chemical exposure among Norwegian firefighters.

Mariann is a senior scientist at the department of Health Research at SINTEF and has a background in work physiology and occupational health.

During her 28 years of experience at SINTEF she has been involved in several projects including laboratory and field evaluations in a wide range of occupations, including extreme heat exposure on physiological responses among firefighters. The overall aim of the work is to contribute to increase health and safety among employees.

More information: Course web page
Registration: Course registration
Last registration date: 26th of September 2022