Sleep deprivation is a topic rarely addressed in the high-stress culture of first responder work. When looking at a career packed with increased physical and mental risk, the topic of sleep would seemingly be low in priority. However, science proves otherwise. Inconsistent hours and unpredictable calls make it nearly impossible to establish a sleep schedule that allows the body to get the rest it needs to function at its best. Left unaddressed, sleep deprivation can quietly erode health for years before its effects are even noticed or addressed.
This issue has started to gain national attention. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) recently introduced the bipartisan Federal Fire Fighters Families First Act, which would limit federal firefighters’ workweek to 60 hours, down from the current 72-hour norm. As IAFF General President Edward Kelly put it: “Federal firefighters are being pushed to the brink as they work grueling schedules that jeopardize their health, safety, and well-being. Not only is this schedule physically demanding, but it also has a mental impact, as these firefighters are forced to spend so much time away from their families.”1
Science underscores why this shift in attention matters. Sleep is a biological necessity tied to all aspects of healthy functioning: memory, emotional regulation, learning, metabolic health, cellular repair, and more. It’s foundational to nearly every part of physical and mental well-being.2 Recent research has also found an alarmingly high prevalence of sleep disorders, including shift work disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and excessive daytime sleepiness, among first responders in emergency medical roles.3
Given the level of physical and mental demand the job already places on the body, sustained sleep deprivation isn’t sustainable. Not only is it a compounding risk to health, safety, and performance, but with extended sleep deprivation comes an increased risk of calculation mistakes, putting both responders and the public at greater physical risk.
This compounding risk is backed by extensive research. The National Academies of Sciences report on sleep disorders found that adults with chronic sleep loss report excess mental distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and increased alcohol use, and that even partial sleep deprivation can alter one’s mood even more dramatically than its effects on impaired cognitive or motor function.4 For a high-demand profession already defined by split-second decision-making and emotional regulation under pressure, this finding alone emphasizes the importance of improved hours and underscores the importance of improved sleep and better sleep regulation. Moreover, recent CDC research adds another layer: addressing the mental health toll of sleep deprivation isn’t just about adding hours to the clock. It requires tackling the underlying psychosocial factors at play, and accounting for the cultural norms, work demands, and lifestyle constraints that shape how first responders can get the rest they need.5
When looking at first responders, and more specifically fire personnel, you find a community that is already facing a significantly elevated risk of PTSD, depression, and suicide risk compared to the general population. A recent study found that the prevalence of PTSD among firefighters was 12.3%, and 18.7% for depression, both significantly higher than seen in the general community.6 Moreover, the suicide rate for firefighters is 18 per 100,000 compared to 13 per 100,000 for the general public (Ruderman Family Foundation, 2018).7
It is crucial that we begin taking steps to promote a healthier work-life balance in these high-stress careers. With this new shift in focus, we are paying closer attention to the extreme demands often placed on our nation’s firefighters. The National Sleep Health Foundation highlights the importance of consistent sleep for first responders, while also outlining key signs to watch out for chronic sleep deprivation and giving tips to optimize relaxation on and off the clock.
References
- Cheng, W., Wang, X., Zhou, Y., Ma, X., Zhao, Y., Zhang, Y., & Li, S. (2023). Post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms among firefighters: A network analysis. Frontiers in Public Health. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-h ealth/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1096771/full
- International Association of Fire Fighters. (2025, July 25). Bipartisan Federal Fire Fighters Families First Act introduced in U.S. Senate. https://www.iaff.org/news/bipartisan-federal-fire-fighters-families-first-act-introduced-in-u-s-senate/
- Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research; Colten, H. R., & Altevogt, B. M. (Eds.). (2006). Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation: An unmet public health problem. National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/
- Khan, W. A. A., et al. (2022). Prevalence of sleep disorders among first responders for medical emergencies: A meta-analysis. Journal of Global Health, 12, 04092. h ttps://jogh.org/2022/jogh-12-04092
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n/a.). Sleep deprivation and deficiency: How sleep affects your health. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation/health-effects
- Ruderman Family Foundation. (2018). Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders. https://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/
- Sleep Health Foundation. (n/a.). Sleep health for emergency services personnel. https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-topics/sleep-health-for-emergency-services-personnel
- Sliwa, S. A., Wheaton, A. G., Li, J., & Michael, S. L. (2023). Sleep duration, mental health, and increased difficulty doing schoolwork among high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: introductory/editorial framing in Preventing Chronic Disease (CDC), Vol. 20, E14. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/23_0197.htm