White Papers
White papers are analytical reports that bridge scientific research and applied practice. The papers presented here synthesize available evidence and field data to support informed decision-making related to firefighter health and long-term performance.
Emergency Call Volume & Firefighter Health: Sleep, Body Fat, VO2Max, HRV
Does working a busier firehouse actually lead to worse health?
​
This firefighter-focused white paper examines how emergency call volume relates to sleep, body fat, aerobic fitness, and physiological stress in career firefighters working 24-hour shifts. The findings challenge common assumptions about workload, showing that many health risks persist regardless of assignment and highlighting firefighter health as a systemic occupational issue rather than a station-specific problem.
Firefighter Stress & Recovery: How HRV Reflects Call Volume, Sleep, Fitness, and PTSD
.png)
Firefighter stress is often invisible, but it leaves measurable physiological traces.
​
This firefighter-focused white paper explains how heart rate variability changes across a 24-hour shift and how call volume, sleep disruption, aerobic fitness, and PTSD symptoms interact to influence stress and recovery. The findings highlight why some firefighters recover more effectively than others and point to physical fitness, particularly aerobic capacity, as a key factor in physiological resilience.