Occupational exposures and symptoms among firefighters and police during the carmel forest fire: the Carmel cohort study.

Background: From 2 to 5 December 2010, Israel experienced the most severe forest fire In its history, resulting in the deaths of rescue workers. Little research exists on the health risks to emergency responders during forest fires, and there is no published research to date on occupational health among firefighters in Israel.

Objectives: To describe the exposures experienced by emer gency responders to smoke, fire retardants and stress; the utilization of protective equipment; and the frequency of corresponding symptoms during and following the Carmel Forest fire.