Fire Fighter Health During Operations

Over the past three fire seasons research has been conducted on the fire ground and investigations of incidents which have lead to changes in what we use and what we do during firefighting operations. The changes are centred around the health and wellbeing of firefighters while on active duty and have proven to be beneficial to CFA members.

Hydration

Where you are fighting a fire, your body can lose more than one litre of fluid per hour. This can quickly lead to dehydration, resulting in physical exhaustion, and eventually, heat exhaustion.

Dehydration results in:

• Impairment of the body's ability to regulate heat, resulting in increased body temperature and an elevated heart rate.
• Increase in perceived exertion, causing the person to feel more exhausted than usual at a given work rate.
• Reduced mental function, which can have negative implications for motor control, decision making and concentration.
• Precursors to heat related illnesses such as cramps, stomach discomfort, heat stress.

What is dehydration?

Dehydration is an excessive loss of body fluids from the tissues that is accompanied by an imbalance in electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and calcium.

It is recommended that when undertaking physical activity in extreme weather conditions (greater than 30º C accompanied by extremely low or high levels of humidity) that you drink up to 1200 ml of water per hour with a 600 ml electrolyte replacement drink (Staminade Hydrate) per hour. The electrolyte replacement drink should not exceed 6% glucose. High levels of glucose can increase the effects of dehydration.

Exhaustion

Exhaustion can occur on the fire ground, at IMT’s, ICC’s, RECC’s and even in the SECC. Exhaustion can be defined as a state of weariness that results from sleep loss, exposure to harsh environments and/or prolonged mental or physical work. Exhaustion can impact on mood states, performance, decision making, communication and general well-being.

Reducing the Risk

Steps you can take to reduce the risk of exhaustion to yourself and your crew.

• Ensure good communication with your section/crews. Your section/crew should communicate to you if sleep has been impaired and you should take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of exhaustion.
• Be aware of your section/crew’s limitations. CFA members are not machines. Members need appropriate fluids, food, sleep and relaxation to operate optimally.
• Prepare yourself. Activities undertaken in the days prior to working on the fireground will affect your physical and mental ability to cope. If members have been working long, hard days prior to working/being deployed they may take short cuts, or take risks which they would normally not take. Managers and supervisors should take steps to reduce the risk of exhaustion. Observe your section/crew. Make sure they get regular breaks during their work periods with opportunities to stop and have a rest, as well as to eat.
• If your section/crew have been working on the fireground for a long period of time and not received any food, steps should be taken to remedy the situation immediately.

Medications

Some members have medical or physical conditions that require medication to resolve their symptoms. The medications are usually a once or twice a day administration to maintain a level of control over the symptoms, if you miss one dose there may be little effect on your condition, but, if you are on a strike team for days and have left your medication at home you may become ill and require treatment or hospitalisation.

Strike team leaders and crew leaders should make sure that any crew member that requires medication on a daily basis has packed a supply in their kit bag prior to leaving their home location.

Health

If you have any medical conditions that may affect you during fire fighting operations consult with your doctor prior to deployment. Some members have medical conditions that are managed by medication and are able to participate in strike teams duties, these members should make their Strike Team Leader and Crew Leader aware of their condition and any medication that they may require while on duty.

Food/ration packs

CFA has designed a new ration pack for use on the fire ground, this pack has been specified to assist with hydration and give the right snack foods for energy. Ration packs are not a replacement for meals but are on the vehicle for nutrition/energy requirements until catering is arranged or for the times when you may be caught on the fire ground for long periods without access to catering.

Hygiene

Wash your hands!

When working on the fire ground there are many places that contamination by bacteria can occur. In previous years we have seen cases of gastro disorders due to bacterial infection while away on strike team duties. Many of the cases have been due to poor hygiene habits while on the fire ground or at the staging areas prior to or during meal times. Bacteria can be picked in the bush or from the vehicle that you have been working on, in the form of small particles in, on or around your vehicle. You may be picking up some food items or eating utensils by hand, hence you will be spreading the bacteria from your hands to the food and then eating it.

To prevent infection occurring you should always wash your hands prior to eating, after using the toilet and prior to handling any food or drinks even when stowing food and drinks on the vehicle.

Further information on any of these topics can be sourced from the OH&S section.