A Behavioral-Analytic Model for Assessing Stress in Firefighters.
The three-minute FAST reliably flags firefighter stress without lab gear.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team built a three-minute quiz for firefighters. They named it the FAST.
They asked firefighters about call-related, office, and overwork stress. They checked if the answers stayed the same when taken twice.
What they found
The FAST gave three clear scores. The scores stayed steady when taken again.
The quiz is quick and easy to use at the station.
How this fits with other research
Northrup et al. (2022) wrote a review that frames this tool. The review says we need more behavior work with firefighters. The FAST answers that call.
Edmiston et al. (2017) and Lievore et al. (2026) also measure stress, but in autistic youth. They use spit and heart rate, not a quiz. The FAST shows you can get good data with a short self-report in adults.
Johnson et al. (2009) found mixed spit-cortisol patterns in autistic kids. The FAST does not use spit, so it sidesteps that mess.
Why it matters
You can give the FAST to any firefighter before or after a shift. It takes three minutes and needs no lab gear. If scores are high, you can start coping-skills training right away. The tool is free and ready for field use.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Research has documented a number of acute and chronic stressors unique to the fire service. Due to the rise in mental health concerns in firefighters, there has been increased awareness of the negative effects of unmanaged stress. The present study employed a behavioral-analytic model to construct a brief screening measure of stress for this population: the Firefighter Assessment of Stress Test (FAST). Psychometric properties of the FAST were evaluated using data from active-duty firefighters throughout the United States. Results indicated the FAST has good internal reliability (α = 0.89), as well as good convergent and discriminant validity. Also, the factor structure of the FAST revealed three significant subscales reflective of stress associated with responding to calls, administrative difficulties, and being overworked. Scoring and interpretation guidelines were established to suggest when further assessment is warranted. The FAST offers a brief and valid method of self-assessment of current stress levels in firefighters. Information obtained from the FAST (i.e., overall stress level and domains) has the potential to facilitate more immediate identification and recognition of stress in firefighters than what has been possible to date. Moreover, heightened awareness of stress and its effects will hopefully culminate in expanded efforts directed toward stress reduction and intervention for firefighters and their families.
Behavior modification, 2022 · doi:10.1177/0145445520986137