Fire fighter noise exposure

Occupational noise exposure was evaluated for eight fire fighter positions on board three types of emergency vehicles. One hundred seventy code-3 responses were monitored and sound pressure levels in excess of 115 dBA found. Furthermore, sound pressures exceeding the OSHA allowable level of 90 dBA for eight hours exposure were determined. Octave band analyses were performed for overall code-3 noise and for specific noise sources on each vehicle. An evaluation of eighty-nine audiograms of fire fighters was also carried out. The findings of this study suggest that under present operational conditions fire fighters experience excessive short-duration, high intensity noise exposure and a hearing conservation program for the fire service is therefore recommended.