“Awake, smoky, and hot”: Providing an evidence-base for managing the risks associated with occupational stressors encountered by wildland firefighters

Aisbett, Brad; Wolkow, Alexander; Sprajcer, Madeline; Ferguson, Sally A.

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2011.12.013

Cited by 95 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…189–197 Among law enforcement and first responders, several studies have shown that sleep disturbances are common among police officers 198–203 and firefighters. 204,205 In particular, issues such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and shift work are the most common problems. 206 In a landmark study by Rajaratnam and colleagues, 198 police officers who were at greatest risk of sleep disorders were also more likely to be at risk for job-related problems, such as falling asleep at meetings and using unnecessary violence against citizens.…”

Section: Employment Neighborhood and Socioeconomicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep, Health, and Society

Grandner

2017

Sleep Medicine Clinics

490

267

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Section: Employment Neighborhood and Socioeconomicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep, Health, and Society

Grandner

2017

Sleep Medicine Clinics

490

267

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…For instance, firefighters are required to perform firefighting tasks that involve moderate-intensity work interspersed with irregular bursts of high-intensity work, 47,48 performed in a potentially hazardous environment (ie, extreme heat and carbon monoxide exposure). 47 Existing research shows that firefighters also typically work consecutive long shifts (ie, 10 to 14 hours) separated by shortened sleep opportunities. 48 The physical work and environmental demands involved in firefighting place significant stress on the cardiovascular system.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Volunteer Firefighters in Victoria, Australia

Wolkow

Netto

Langridge³

et al. 2013

Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health

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Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major problem for firefighters, even when considering the healthy worker effect (HWE). Although volunteer firefighters outnumber paid personnel, previous research has focused on paid US firefighters. By contrast, no CHD data for Australian firefighters exist. Risk factor data were collected from 2,943 Australian volunteer firefighters and CHD risk was compared with reference "low-risk" and Australian population data. Predicted CHD risk for male and female firefighter was 19.2% and 5.1%, respectively. Female firefighters high blood pressure and fasting glucose was significantly lower than the general population, whereas all other risk factors was similar to the general population. Firefighters' CHD risk was greater than other volunteer and paid emergency services, but the prevalence for most risk factors was similar to the general population. Therefore, Australian volunteer firefighters may not benefit from the HWE.

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“…For instance, if work-rate declines in hotter temperatures, more workers may need to be deployed or more breaks rostered, so that operational objectives can be met without individuals attempting unsustainable work-rates that may compromise their health and safety. The decisions of when, and under what conditions, more personnel are deployed should be based on a robust evidence-base [7]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Heat Exposure and Sleep Restriction on Firefighters’ Work Performance and Physiology during Simulated Wildfire Suppression

Vincent

Aisbett

Larsen

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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This study was designed to examine the effects of ambient heat on firefighters’ physical task performance, and physiological and perceptual responses when sleep restricted during simulated wildfire conditions. Thirty firefighters were randomly allocated to the sleep restricted (n = 17, SR; 19 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) or hot and sleep restricted (n = 13, HOT + SR; 33 °C, 4-h sleep opportunity) condition. Firefighters performed two days of simulated, intermittent, self-paced work circuits comprising six firefighting tasks. Heart rate, and core temperature were measured continuously. After each task, firefighters reported their rating of perceived exertion and thermal sensation. Effort sensation was also reported after each work circuit. Fluids were consumed ad libitum. Urine volume and urine specific gravity were analysed. Sleep was monitored using polysomnography. There were no differences between the SR and HOT + SR groups in firefighters’ physiological responses, hydration status, ratings of perceived exertion, motivation, and four of the six firefighting tasks (charged hose advance, rake, hose rolling, static hose hold). Black out hose and lateral repositioning were adversely affected in the HOT + SR group. Working in hot conditions did not appear to consistently impair firefighters work performance, physiology, and perceptual responses. Future research should determine whether such findings remain true when individual tasks are performed over longer durations.

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“Awake, smoky, and hot”: Providing an evidence-base for managing the risks associated with occupational stressors encountered by wildland firefighters

Cited by 95 publications

References 44 publications

Sleep, Health, and Society

Sleep, Health, and Society

Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Volunteer Firefighters in Victoria, Australia

The Impact of Heat Exposure and Sleep Restriction on Firefighters’ Work Performance and Physiology during Simulated Wildfire Suppression

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