Evaluation of Psychosocial Factors and Their Impact on Occupational Health of the Operational Personnel of the Espíndola Fire Department.

Abstract

This research analyzes the evaluation of psychosocial factors and their impact on the occupational health of the operational staff of the Fire Department of the Espíndola Canton, a group constantly exposed to risky situations and high emotional pressure. Psychosocial factors, understood as the social, organizational, and personal conditions that influence workers’ health, represent a critical element in the management of occupational safety. This study recognizes that, in addition to the physical hazards inherent to the profession, firefighters face an emotional burden derived from responding to emergencies, accidents, and disasters, which can lead to consequences such as chronic stress, anxiety, burnout syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To address the research question of how these factors affect their occupational health, a qualitative methodology was applied through semi-structured surveys directed at operational personnel. This approach made it possible to gather detailed information on workers’ perceptions of their psychosocial conditions, identifying recurrent issues such as long shifts, work overload, constant exposure to traumatic experiences, and the limited availability of institutional support. The results highlight the influence of extended working hours, excessive workload, exposure to traumatic emergencies, and the lack of institutional support on the physical and mental health of firefighters. Furthermore, the findings reveal the need to implement preventive strategies that include psychological support programs, resilience training, and the strengthening of organizational culture, as well as the incorporation of psychosocial prevention programs.