Consequences of facilities, vehicle, and equipment failures in United States federal wildland firefighter retention and morale

Equipment malfunctions and failures are a common cause of workplace injury. Here, we examined experiences with equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure malfunctions and failures, associated injuries, illnesses and casualties, and confidence in repair and reporting mechanisms in United States federal wildland firefighters. Respondents reported that equipment, facilities, and vehicles malfunction and failures often resulted in impaired work performance, and over 25% of respondents reported at least one injury, illness, or death associated with these malfunctions and failures. Over 75% of respondents lacked confidence that repairs would occur, and that reporting would positively impact outcomes.