Study Determines Impact of Training Fires on Crews
By Peter Matthews
Teams from Skidmore College, UL’s Firefighter Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI), the University of Illinois – Champaign and NIOSH recently took part in a collaborative Cardiovascular and Chemical Exposure Project at the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI).
Over a three-day period, 12 firefighters and 10 instructors participated in live burns as researchers collected data for a new study on the effects of firefighter training on their health. Firefighters from a dozen departments, including Hanover Park, Streamwood and Urbana in Illinois, FDNY, Boston and Chicago donned gear to take part.
While each scenario was laid out the same, the fuel load for each day was different. Scenarios included burning oriented strand board (OSB), pallets and hay and theatrical smoke combined with the BullEx digital fire attack system. The evolutions included an incident commander, a four-person engine company and three firefighters on a ladder company.
“We are here to understand how the training environment really impacts firefighters,” UL Director Steve Kerber said. “This will help us produce adequately equipped firefighters who can use the proper tools to get the job done.”
Nine team members from NIOSH were at the site collecting data from each participant before and after each scenario, along with monitoring the atmosphere inside and outside the structure. They collected blood, breath and urine samples and swabbed the participant’s skin for to check for any exposure to contaminants. The PPE was swabbed to see what containments stick to the gear and they were also looking for signs of off-gassing from fire retardant materials.
“We can collect data before, during and after each fire suppression event and can monitor how the person’s body is reacting,” Skidmore College research assistant Jacob DeBlois said. “We want to make sure that we’re not pushing them too hard or too far.”
Check Firehouse.com for additional event coverage and videos of this study.
FSTAR Conducting Firefighter Physical Survey
The Firefighter Safety Through Advanced Research (FSTAR) program is dedicated to advancing firefighter safety. The program began in 2013 with the idea that research could improve all aspects of the fire service, including operations, health and wellness, and fire prevention.
FSTAR Health is collecting data on firefighter physicals and would like all firefighters to take a 10-minute survey (surveymonkey.com/r/6L7RG2P) to answer a series of questions on their experiences in getting a firefighter physical.
Research is finding that firefighters are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, musculoskeletal injuries, behavioral health issues, lung disease, sleep disorders and infectious diseases. Clinical monitoring through comprehensive annual physicals including frequent screenings have the best chance of catching any of these occupational-related diseases early.
FSTAR Health promotes annual physicals that consider the unique health risks of firefighters, as described by NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Medical Programs for Fire Departments.
This survey, which is a follow-up to a 2006 survey, is a first step in understanding and evaluating the issues associated with firefighter physicals.
Reports Show Decrease in Firefighter Response Deaths
By Susan Nicol
The good news—fatal crashes involving firefighters in 2015 were the second lowest in the past 39 years. Further, NFPA data shows that crashes are no longer the second-leading cause of responder deaths, as they have been in years past. The bad news—they are still occurring across the country, and the cause is usually the same.
After investigating fatal apparatus crashes, NIOSH officials issue the cause of death and provide a list of recommendations. A NIOSH report (tinyurl.com/hrykcgm) shows the factors are the same regardless whether there's a career or volunteer behind the wheel.
National Fallen Firefighters’ Foundation Executive Director Ron Siarnicki said a number of factors are likely responsible for the decline, including improvements in fire apparatus safety, which has received increased focus, partly as a result of it being one of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
“Manufacturers are paying attention to safety when they design the apparatus,” he said. “Also, the use of seat belts is making a difference.”
Siarnicki added that his staff and other fire service officials promote the International Seat Belt Pledge.
“New technologies and innovations are available that can significantly reduce the potential for injury and deaths related to fire service apparatus and equipment failures or shortcomings,” he said. “It is important to understand, and explore the technologies and innovations available today. We must also consider the best practices that can be implemented to improve firefighter safety, thereby reducing the potential for injury and death. The 16th Initiative ratifies the belief that no firefighter should die in the line-of-duty due to apparatus or equipment-related issues.”
Siarnicki encourages firefighters as well as those intending to purchase or design a rig to visit Everyone Goes Home for information.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
7 U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty. Six deaths were health-related and one was the result of an accident. This edition of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.
FIREFIGHTER-AEMT DOUGLAS A. CLEMENT, 43, with New Hampton, NH, Fire Department, died on June 14 after suffering a medical emergency at home following a motor vehicle extrication and rescue training session at the department.
FIREFIGHTER JOSHUA WARREN, 34, with Alexis, NC, Volunteer Fire Department, collapsed and died on June 16 while engaged in physical fitness training at a local middle school.
FIREFIGHTER III CLIFFORD M. RIGSBEE, 63, with the Honolulu Fire Department, was found unconscious in the water after becoming separated from his jet ski during a training exercise. He suffered a spinal cord injury and died two days later, on June 16.
FIRE CHIEF DAVID K. BRITT, 54, with the Severn, NC, Volunteer Fire Department, suffered a medical emergency at his home several hours after responding to a crash. He died on June 17.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF MICHAEL MORGAN, 48, with Garrettford-Drexel Hill, PA, Volunteer Fire Company, suffered a stroke after responding to two calls on May 3. He was transported to a hospital where he on died June 26.
FIREFIGHTER JOHN R. FRITZ, 48, with Austintown, OH, Fire Department, was found dead in the station on June 27 when he failed to respond to an emergency, after responding to several emergency calls earlier in the day.
CAPTAIN ERIC C. SPECK, 38, with Dakota City, NE, Fire Department, complained of chest pains on an EMS call on June 23. He died on June 27 of an apparent heart attack.
Firehouse Staff
Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors.
