New Guidelines Aim to Improve First Responder Brain Injury Care

Experts convene to develop evidence-based protocols for recognizing, treating, and managing traumatic brain injuries in law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:10am

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A glowing, vibrant neon outline of a firefighter's helmet against a dark background, conceptually representing the importance of protecting the health of emergency service workers.New protocols aim to improve care and support for first responders who risk their health to protect our communities.Columbus Today

Researchers will soon publish the first evidence-based guidelines for traumatic brain injury (TBI) recognition, treatment, and return to duty in first responders - a group encompassing law enforcement officers, corrections personnel, firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The recommendations come from nearly 60 experts who convened at The Ohio State University to pursue consensus on protocols surrounding workplace policies, injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, mental health monitoring, and steps needed to get a concussed first responder back to work.

Why it matters

Getting a clinical diagnosis is key to putting an injured first responder on the proper trajectory of recovery - not just working safely, but also maintaining a satisfying quality of life. Brain health in first responders is a matter of public safety, as head injuries can affect their ability to perform their duties and protect the communities they serve.

The details

The conference featured a panel discussion with three law enforcement officers who had received head injuries on the job, describing symptoms like double vision, dizziness, chronic migraines, short-term memory loss, speech problems and temporary paralysis, as well as complications navigating recovery. The experts acknowledged the stigma linked to injuries that affect performance in a profession characterized by a mission-first mindset, leading to underreporting of TBIs.

  • The 1st International Conference on TBI in First Responders was held at The Ohio State University on March 26-27, 2026.
  • The final recommendations and consensus statement will be published early next year in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

The players

Jaclyn Caccese

Associate professor in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS) at The Ohio State University, and co-host of the conference.

James Oñate

Interim director of HRS, interim vice dean for health and rehabilitation sciences in the College of Medicine, and a professor in the HRS Division of Athletic Training, and co-host of the conference.

Nathan Edwards

A research scientist in Ohio State's Human Performance Collaborative.

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What they’re saying

“This is a critical step in improving the care and support for our first responders who risk so much for us every day.”

— Jaclyn Caccese, Associate professor

“We've lumped first responders together. We're going to stop doing that. This is the beginning, and we're starting with many things we've advanced already. We're not starting from scratch.”

— James Oñate, Interim director of HRS, interim vice dean for health and rehabilitation sciences in the College of Medicine, and a professor in the HRS Division of Athletic Training

“Hearing from these officers 'helps give us context about the stakes to come up with recommendations for first responders to return to full capacity.'”

— Nathan Edwards, Research scientist

What’s next

The final recommendations and consensus statement will be published early next year in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. The group also plans to present the conference outcomes at academic and first responder-specific conferences, and approach publications targeted to first responder agencies.

The takeaway

This effort to develop evidence-based guidelines for recognizing, treating, and managing traumatic brain injuries in first responders is a critical step in improving the care and support for those who risk so much to protect our communities. By addressing the stigma and lack of data around TBIs in this workforce, the experts aim to ensure first responders can safely return to duty and maintain a high quality of life after sustaining a head injury.