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Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility!
As we head into our year-round wildfire peak season with Santa Ana and Diablo winds, these serve as a good safety reminder for all of us. We all know wildland fire fighting is very dangerous. Fatalities during wildfire incidents have been on the rise. These fatalities have occurred among federal, state and local fire fighters as well as private and military personnel. Research studies that evaluated injuries at specific fires show that the types of injuries that occurred while fighting fires and working in fire camps include falls, strains, burns, being struck-by-objects and vehicle-related incidents.
Ensuring fire fighter safety during the challenging conditions encountered when responding to a wildland fire (rapid response, poor visibility, uncharacterized hazards, unfamiliarity with the environment, etc.) requires knowledge of hazards and commitment to safety by Incident Commanders, Fire Management and Safety Officers. Safety programs should be established that include employee training on safe work practices, recognition and reporting of hazards, appropriate personal protective equipment and frequent safety program evaluation.
Hazards that wildland fire fighters may encounter include:
Heat Stress
Fire fighters working in hot weather may experience heat stress (feeling hot, tired or fatigue, weakness, vertigo, headache, or nausea). Heat stress can progress into heat strain (physiologic changes such as e.g., increased core body temperature and heart rate) and, without appropriate intervention, can progress into heat-related illnesses (heat rash, cramps, exhaustion, or heat stroke). Risk factors for heat-related illness include:
Strenuous work performed while fighting fires
- High environmental heat load (temperature, humidity, air movement and radiant heat)
- Personal risk factors (age, physical fitness, and existing medical conditions)
- Dehydration from insufficient fluid intake
- Insufficient acclimatization to heat
- Sleep deprivation and fatigue
- Burdensome personal protective equipment
How to Prevent and Reduce Heat Stress
Recommendations for Incident Commanders and Fire Managers
- Provide training to fire fighters on recognizing, understanding and preventing heat stress
- Reduce the physical demands of workers
- Use relief fire fighters and/or assign extra fire fighters for physically demanding jobs
- Schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day whenever possible
- Acclimatize fire fighters by exposing them for progressively longer periods to hot work environments
- Provide cool water or liquids to fire fighters (no caffeine or energy drinks)
- Provide rest periods in cooler areas with water breaks
- Monitor fire fighters for signs of heat stress
Recommendations for Wildland Fire Fighters
When possible, fire fighters should avoid exposure to extreme heat, sun exposure and high humidity. When these exposures cannot be avoided, fire fighters should take the following steps to prevent heat stress:
Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity
- Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible
- Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty (about 1 cup every 15-20 minutes)
- Avoid alcohol and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar
- Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress, particularly turnout-gear
Monitor your physical condition and that of your fellow fire fighters and notify emergency personnel if heat stress symptoms occur, stop working, notify emergency personnel immediately, move to a cooler area and begin cooling activities to reduce the body’s temperature.
Fatigue
Fire fighters can also experience physical and mental fatigue during a wildland fire due to strenuous work activity, high altitudes, long and irregular work shifts, lack of sleep and/or quality sleep, improper nutrition and unpredictable and stressful events. Fatigue and stress can increase the risk of injury, accidents and poor health. Studies show that working 12 hours or more per day is associated with a 37% increased risk of injury.
How to Prevent and Reduce Fatigue:
- Allow enough time to sleep after shift work and on days off
- Avoid heavy foods before sleeping
- Reduce intake of caffeine and other stimulants several hours before sleeping
Ensure fluid and nutritional needs are met and that work/rest cycles are implemented to prevent unnecessary fatigue among both fire fighters and fire managers.
Injuries
Wildland fire fighters are also exposed to a variety of hazards that may put them at risk of both fatal and non-fatal injuries while on the job. Hazards wildland fire fighters may encounter include:
- Slips, trips and falls
- Burns, including sun-burns
- Scrapes and cuts from tools and equipment, such as chain-saws
- Struck-by partially burned trees, other objects in the forest or vehicles (e.g. fire equipment, ATVs, etc.)
- Contact with plant irritants and sensitizers (e.g., poison ivy, thorns)
- Snake/animal bites
- Injuries sustained in crashes of vehicles/airplanes/helicopters
- Electrocution from downed power lines and lightning storms
- Unstable buildings/structures
Recommendations to Reduce Injuries:
- Ensure fire fighters are informed of potential hazards, how to avoid them and the need to report all occupational injuries/illnesses and unsafe conditions
- Establish and implement LCES (lookouts, communication, escape routes and safety zones) before fire fighting begins
- Ensure fire fighters receive training on safe response to emergencies and to always be aware of the potential to be caught in a burn over
- Establish and enforce standard operating procedures for operating motor vehicles and wearing seat belts (restraints)
- Ensure all wildland fire fighters wear wildland personal protective equipment that is compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting
Respiratory Hazards from Smoke, Ash and Debris
Smoke and dust from a wildland fire can be composed of a variety of inhalation health hazards, including gases, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde, and particulates, including ash and silica. Structural fires that occur during a wildland fire may generate additional hazardous contaminants from the many materials present in homes and buildings. For example, car batteries or mercury light bulbs present in homes and buildings, especially older buildings have a greater potential to contain asbestos and lead. Incident Commanders, Fire Managers and fire fighters should always be aware of the risk for smoke inhalation, the potential hazards associated with ash and the precautions that should be taken to prevent and reduce exposure.
Utilize fire operations procedures that reduce smoke exposure, such as:
- Rotating crews through areas of heavy smoke
- Avoiding downwind fire fighting, whenever possible
- Minimizing mop-up whenever possible
- Using equipment rather than people in holding areas, when possible
- Locate camps and Incident Command Posts in areas that are upwind of the fire and not prone to inversions
- Use protective clothing and equipment to avoid skin contact with ash
- Thoroughly wet areas to reduce ash and dust generation
- Ensure fire fighters are trained on the risks of smoke inhalation and exposure to ash and how to reduce their risk of exposure
Cardiac-related Events
Fire fighters are also at risk for heart attacks, strokes and other cardiac related events while fighting wildland fires.
Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of a Cardiac-related Event:
- Ensure fire fighters maintain good physical fitness and aerobic and muscular endurance training
- Implement a pre-employment medical screening and medical examination program, including exercise stress tests following standard medical guidelines for all fire fighters
Implement a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for fire fighters consistent with NFPA 1583, Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs For Fire Fighters. Firefighters should participate in pre-placement and annual medical examinations and physical performance (physical ability) evaluations before engaging in fire response activities
Wildland fire fighting can be a dangerous occupation. These men and women place themselves in harms way to protect the lives and property of those living in the affected areas. Following the recommendations above and using the additional resources below can help protect fire fighters from the hazards associated with wildland fire fighting.
Full Credit & Article: bit.ly/3XN6tkX
Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He also is Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com