Sleep Deprivation
In the Fire Service we work 24 hour shifts and run numerous calls throughout the night. This process interrupts the body's natural wake/sleep cycle. Sleep deprivation occurs when a person does not get sufficient amounts of quality sleep. Work demands, family life, and lifestyle choices may cause a person to sleep fewer hours than their body needs to maintain wakefulness and energy levels. Over time deprivation of sleep can have both an acute and cumulative effect on our bodies and minds. Sleep deprivation affects our ability to think clearly and stay focused on our job performance which can become a safety risk to ourselves and those we work with. It reduces performance on challenging tasks and negatively affects our motor skills.