First responders will inevitably face extended operations when public safety is at risk from man-made or naturally occurring emergencies. Agency policy must exist to anticipate operations under long-term stress, generally defined as those where individuals are awake and on assignment for 24 hours or more. Having a policy that only punishes falling asleep on duty without anticipating human capacity during extreme conditions does little to enhance the mission.
Law enforcement officers face many hazards in the line of duty. Though injuries from assaults and vehicular accidents are the most obvious, stress, cardiovascular disease, depression, and suicide are also serious job-related risks.
The occupational fatality rate for law enforcement is three to five times greater than the national average for the working population. The officers who protect us must also be protected against incapacitating physical, mental, and emotional health problems, as well as against the hazards of their job.
USING TECHNOLOGY
Utilizing Wearable Technology that monitors physical performance, capacity, and real-time sleep patterns. Using these biometric indicators to watch for physiological markers of extreme fatigue, underlying cardiovascular health problems and aggregated stress can help prevent the health and performance problems associated with the body’s fight for relief.