Electrical risks in the firefighter’s activity – Portugal as a case study

Abstract

A global electrification and transition to sustainable energy sources are underway to mitigate climate change (IEA, 2020). Despite all the opportunities they create, the change faces many multifaceted challenges, including technological, environmental, societal, economic, and geopolitical issues (Sorkin, 2019). This revolution encourages industry to develop innovative and creative solutions to design and implement cleaner systems however, from an operational viewpoint, the lack of normalization, rigorous legal control, and electrical system compliance enforcement create new challenges for firefighters worldwide.

Electrical risk refers to potential damage or accidents caused by electrical activities (electrical installation faults, equipment defects, or inadequate exposure to contact with electrical currents, etc.). The inability to identify an electrical risk or its underestimation can lead to electric shocks, fires, damage to electronic equipment, and, in more serious cases, even death. Hence, preventing electrical risk is fundamental to protecting the lives and well-being of individuals and the community.

The electrical risk in firefighter intervention arises from the possibility of exposure to electrical hazards during their operations (i.e., when fighting fires in buildings, in environments with power transformers, or even in accidents involving high-voltage cables). Knowledge and training are fundamental to these operations for a safer intervention for first responders and victims alike.

This case study was carried out with the main objective of ascertaining the level of awareness and knowledge of Portuguese firefighters on electrical risks, a subject which is believed to be overlooked in their training programs. A questionnaire that included a full socio-demographic characterization of the participants and a number of diagnostic questions to assess their level of proficiency on the topic of electrical risks was designed, validated, and applied to firefighters nationwide during February/March 2024.

The results obtained from a sample of 1 111 firefighters (reliability 99%, 4% error) were clear, highlighting a generalized lack of knowledge in this specific area. Hence, a simple training model is proposed to meet the needs identified by the questionnaire and better prepare the Portuguese first responders to face the challenges posed by increasingly more frequent and
less obvious electrical risks.