Firefighters work odd hours, often involving one or more 24-hour shifts, with mandatory overtime — not the best recipe for a healthy sleep pattern.

The University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health has received a $4 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a division of NIH, to help firefighters get the shuteye they need.

Listen to Lauren Gilger interview principal investigator Patricia Haynes on The Show

Research led by the Harvard Work Hours Health and Safety Group finds almost half of career firefighters report short sleep and poor sleep quality, and about 37% screen positive for sleep apnea, insomnia or shift work disorder.

Under the grant, team members will develop a flexible and realistic sleep plan in conjunction with 20 fire agencies across Arizona.

They will also train managers and promote the benefits of sleep and recovery among firefighters.

Previous research by the principal investigator Patricia Haynes linked more recovery sleep during off-days with less stress and irritability.

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