OBJECTIVE: Exposure of emergency service personnel to disasters can lead to significant mental health challenges. The psychological impact of intentionally caused disasters, such as terrorist attacks, tends to be more severe than that of natural disasters. While much research has focused on terrorist attacks, little is known about the effects of intentional vehicular assaults (IVAs). This study examines the impact of an IVA on the mental health of firefighters. We hypothesized that firefighters deployed to the scene (deployed group (DG)) would experience more mental health problems compared to those not on duty (comparison group (CG)). METHODS: The study included RESULTS: A significantly higher prevalence of panic attacks was found in the DG (12.5%) compared to the CG (1.8%), with an odds ratio of 8.0 (95% CI: 1.0-67.3). Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between non-occupational tasks and hostility ( CONCLUSION: These results highlight the severe mental health impact of intentional disasters like IVAs on firefighters, emphasizing the need for targeted psychological support and interventions. Future research should focus on tailored interventions to address the high prevalence of panic attacks among this population.