@article {BF-3623,
	title = {The effect of prescribed fluid consumption on physiology and work behavior of wildfire fighters},
	journal = {Applied Ergonomics},
	year = {2012},
	month = {11/2012},
	abstract = {The purpose of this study was to examine 1) wildfire fighters{\textquoteright} ability to consume the prescribed fluid volume (1200 mL h-1), 2) the effect of fluid intake on plasma sodium and hydration, and 3) the effect of fluid intake on firefighters{\textquoteright} heart rate, core temperature and activity during emergency suppression shifts. Methods Thirty-four firefighters were divided into ad libitum (AD, n = 17) and prescribed (PR, n = 17) drinking groups. Results PR drinkers did not meet the prescribed fluid target, yet consumed over double the volume of AD drinkers. No differences between groups in plasma sodium or hydration were noted. PR drinking resulted in lower core temperature between 2 and 6 h. This did not coincide with reduced cardiovascular strain, greater work activity or larger distances covered when compared to AD drinkers. Conclusion Extra fluid consumption (above AD) did not improve firefighter activity or physiological function (though PR firefighters core temperature was lower earlier in their shift). Firefighter can self-regulate their fluid consumption behavior and work rate to leave the fireground hydrated. },
	issn = {00036870},
	doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2012.10.002},
	author = {Raines, Jenni and Rodney Snow and Aaron Petersen and Jack Harvey and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett}
}
@article {BF-3101,
	title = {Pre-shift fluid intake: Effect on physiology, work and drinking during emergency wildfire fighting},
	journal = {Applied Ergonomics},
	volume = {43},
	year = {2012},
	month = {5/2012},
	pages = {532 - 540},
	abstract = {Abstract

Wildfire fighters are known to report to work in a hypohydrated state, which may compromise their work performance and health.
Purpose

To evaluate whether ingesting a bolus of fluid before the shift had any effect on firefighters{\textquoteright} fluid consumption, core temperature, or the time they spent in high heart rate and work activity zones when fighting emergency wildfires.
Methods

Thirty-two firefighters were divided into non-bolus (AD) and pre-shift drinking bolus (PS, 500 ml water) groups.
Results

Firefighters began work hypohydrated as indicated by urine colour, specific gravity and plasma osmolality (Posm) results. Post-shift, firefighters were classified as euhydrated according to Posm and hypohydrated by urinary markers. No significant differences existed between the drinking groups in pre- or post-shift hydration status, total fluid intake, activity, heart rate or core temperature.
Conclusion

Consuming a bolus of fluid, pre-shift provided no benefit over non-consumption as both groups had consumed equivalent ad libitum volumes of fluid, 2.5 h into the shift. No benefits of bolus consumption were observed in firefighter activity, heart rate response or core temperature response across the shift in the mild weather conditions experienced. Ad libitum drinking was adequate to facilitate rehydration in firefighters upon completion of their emergency firefighting work shift.},
	doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2011.08.007},
	author = {Raines, Jenni and Rodney Snow and Aaron Petersen and Jack Harvey and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett}
}
@article {bnh-1788,
	title = {The Stress of Firefighting Report},
	year = {2012},
	month = {08/2012},
	abstract = {<p><span>Fire and rescue staff routinely endure significant psychological and environmental stress exposure on the job. While much has been done to improve understanding of the physiological effects of exposure to these conditions, little has been done to quantify the inflammatory stress response that firefighters are exposed to during wildfire suppression. Therefore the aim of the present study was to explore whether firefighters experienced a change in inflammatory markers following one day, and across two days of wildfire suppression tasks. Twelve male fire-fighters participated in two consecutive days of live-fire prescribed burn operations in Ngarkat National Park, South Australia. Typical work tasks included lighting burns, patrolling containment lines, supressing spot fires, and operating vehicles. A number of the inflammatory markers changed significantly across the course of a shift and several presented with an attenuated response across the second day. This finding implies that there was a compounding effect of repeated exposure to these stressors which could have considerable implications for managing fire-fighters health and wellbeing over a multi-day campaign. Further research is required to see which fire ground stressor, or combination of stressors is causing these changes in the inflammatory markers across consecutive work shifts.</span></p>},
	isbn = {978-0-9806759-6-2},
	author = {Alexander Wolkow and Luana Main and Raines, Jenni and Paul Della Gatta and Rodney Snow and Brad Aisbett}
}
@proceedings {BF-3053,
	title = {Prescribed fluid consumption and its effects on the physiology and work behaviour of Australian wildland firefighters},
	year = {2011},
	month = {2011},
	publisher = {Bushfire CRC},
	address = {Sydney, Australia},
	issn = {978-0-9806759-9-3},
	url = {http://www.bushfirecrc.com/resources/pages-248-257-prescribed-fluid-consumption-and-its-effects-physiology},
	author = {Raines, Jenni and Rodney Snow and Aaron Petersen and Jack Harvey and Katrina Onus and Sarah Jefferies and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett}
}
