@conference {bnh-3881, title = {From research to red tape - the challenges in implementing fit for duty programs amongst emergency management agencies}, booktitle = {AFAC17}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Sydney}, abstract = {

Fit for duty programs are becoming increasingly prominent within the Australian and international emergency management sector. The physical fitness of workers in physically demanding roles is an important element within the broader occupational health and safety strategy. A growing body of evidence continues to mount on best-practice fit for duty practice. It is becoming increasingly apparent the value of robust methodologies and validation techniques to produce fit for duty tests which are legally defensible and specific to each organisation. However, despite increases in the knowledge of evidence-based strategies for fit for duty design and implementation, there remains a reluctance for organisations to utilise such knowledge. Here, we explore the reasons why such a reluctance exists and the current barriers to scientifically-backed fit for duty programs. Specifically, we explore the complications with the knowledge repositories, the effects of organisational structure, and the communication processes which currently exist between emergency management agencies and research bodies. Finally, we discuss the role of perceived organisational barriers, including: time, resources, capital, and obligations to meet ambiguous health and safety targets. With these issues explored, we expand on the role that individuals, departments and organisations can play in improving the utilization of fit for duty research. Concurrently, we critique the current limitations of research institutions and the dissemination of fit for duty knowledge. When all parties in the research continuum are properly aligned, organisations can implement fit for duty programs that will improve the health and safety of their workforce, assist with compliance obligations and boost workplace productivity.

}, author = {Savage, Robbie and Silk, Aaron and Walker, Cara and Larsen, Brianna} } @mastersthesis {bnh-4630, title = {Simulated Self-Paced Wildfire Suppression Work in Different Thermal Conditions}, year = {2015}, month = {10/2015}, pages = {236}, school = {Deakin University}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

There is a substantial body of research investigating the influence of ambient temperature on sport and exercise performance. However, research investigating the effect of heat on the performance of manual-handling work, as performed by personnel across many physically demanding occupations, is relatively scarce. Wildland firefighters are commonly tasked with performing manual-handling work under conditions of high ambient heat, and will likely do so more frequently under a continually warming climate. Heat-related illness also currently represents a substantial threat to the safety and wellbeing of wildland firefighters when on duty. Understanding the role of ambient heat in moderating firefighter performance may be important for wildland fire agencies in forecasting the effectiveness of their workforce. Further, quantifying the physiological response of firefighters working in such conditions may assist in preventing heat-related incidents on the fireground. Therefore, assessing the influence of hot ambient conditions on the work output of wildland firefighters, as well as the magnitude of their thermoregulatory and cardiovascular response, was the primary focus of this thesis. Due to the inherent variability of wildfire behaviour, and the subsequent difficulty in measuring work performance in an operational setting, the current program of research utilised high-fidelity work simulations to assess changes in work output in response to ambient heat. Study 1 investigated the self-selected work output of wildland firefighters in both temperate (18{\textdegree}C) and hot (32{\textdegree}C) ambient conditions over a six-hour simulated shift, and indices of thermal stress (e.g., core temperature) and exertion (e.g., heart rate) were measured. Study 2 reported the cumulative effect of ambient heat on the work performance and physiological response of wildland firefighters performing three consecutive days of simulated wildfire suppression. Finally, Study 3 measured the self-selected work output and thermoregulatory responses of wildland firefighters performing a raking task in both 45{\textdegree}C and 18{\textdegree}C conditions. The adaptive behaviours of firefighters (e.g., in ad-libitum fluid intake) were also documented during all studies. Collectively, the results from these studies provides novel insight into the operational effectiveness of wildland firefighters under a range of ambient conditions, and their concurrent physiological and behavioural responses.\ 

}, keywords = {Decision making, emergency management., exposure, firefighter, fires, temperature}, url = {http://dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU:30082763/larsen-simulatedself-2015A.pdf}, author = {Larsen, Brianna} } @article {bnh-1736, title = {Sleep Restriction during Simulated Wildfire Suppression: Effect on Physical Task Performance}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {10}, year = {2015}, month = {01/2015}, abstract = {

Objectives

To examine the effects of sleep restriction on firefighters{\textquoteright} physical task performance during simulated wildfire suppression.

Methods

Thirty-five firefighters were matched and randomly allocated to either a control condition (8-hour sleep opportunity, n = 18) or a sleep restricted condition (4-hour sleep opportunity, n = 17). Performance on physical work tasks was evaluated across three days. In addition, heart rate, core temperature, and worker activity were measured continuously. Rate of perceived and exertion and effort sensation were evaluated during the physical work periods.

Results

There were no differences between the sleep-restricted and control groups in firefighters{\textquoteright} task performance, heart rate, core temperature, or perceptual responses during self-paced simulated firefighting work tasks. However, the sleep-restricted group were less active during periods of non-physical work compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Under self-paced work conditions, 4 h of sleep restriction did not adversely affect firefighters{\textquoteright} performance on physical work tasks. However, the sleep-restricted group were less physically active throughout the simulation. This may indicate that sleep-restricted participants adapted their behaviour to conserve effort during rest periods, to subsequently ensure they were able to maintain performance during the firefighter work tasks. This work contributes new knowledge to inform fire agencies of firefighters{\textquoteright} operational capabilities when their sleep is restricted during multi-day wildfire events. The work also highlights the need for further research to explore how sleep restriction affects physical performance during tasks of varying duration, intensity, and complexity.

}, keywords = {Firefighter fatigue, simulated wildfire suppression, sleep deprivation}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0115329}, url = {http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0115329}, author = {Grace Vincent and Sally Ferguson and Jacqueline Tran and Larsen, Brianna and Alexander Wolkow and Brad Aisbett} } @article {BF-3487, title = {A survey to identify physically demanding tasks performed during storm damage operations by Australian State Emergency Services personnel}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {44}, year = {2013}, month = {1/2013}, pages = {128 - 133}, abstract = {Purpose To identify and characterize the physically demanding tasks performed by SES personnel during storm damage work. Methods Thirty-six tasks identified as the most operationally important to storm damage work were included in a survey which was available to all SES volunteers. The survey aimed to identify the physical demand, operational importance, frequency, duration, principal actions and fitness components of each task. Results Twelve tasks were identified as the most physically demanding. Of these, carrying sandbags, lifting sandbags and shoveling sand (with hands) rated highest. Covering roof damages with tarpaulin and erecting external weather proofing were ranked highest for operational importance. Box lifting (single-person) and erecting external weather proofing returned the highest mode values for frequency, whereas tasks involving handling sandbags returned the highest mean and median frequency values. Covering roof damages with tarpaulin was identified as the longest task. Bending, lifting, twisting and carrying were the most common actions identified for the physically demanding tasks. Muscular strength and muscular endurance were the primary fitness components identified for the twelve tasks. Conclusion SES personnel perform a variety of storm response tasks, many of which are physically demanding. All or most of the physically demanding tasks contain elements of bending, lifting, twisting and carrying, and call upon personnel{\textquoteright}s muscular strength and muscular endurance capabilities.}, issn = {00036870}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2012.05.010}, author = {Larsen, Brianna and Graham, Tony and Brad Aisbett} } @article {bnh-1792, title = {Tympanic Temperature to Predict Core Temperatures of Firefighters Report}, year = {2013}, abstract = {

This study examined the validity of tympanic temperature measurements as a predictor of core temperature on the fireground in different environmental conditions. Fifty-one volunteer firefighters participated in the study across four different conditions, the conditions consisted of; 1) passive (i.e., no intervention) cooling in cold ambient temperatures (0-6{\textdegree}C); 2) cooling (through water immersion) in cool ambient temperatures (10-12{\textordmasculine}C); 3) cooling (through water immersion) in warm ambient temperatures (21.5{\textdegree}C); and, 4) passive cooling in warm ambient temperatures (22{\textdegree}C). Firefighters wore full structural personal protective clothing while performing common firefighting duties including search and rescue tasks for 20-40 minutes. There was no difference between core and tympanic temperature immediately post-exercise across any condition. However, for all conditions, tympanic temperature dropped significantly faster than core temperature from 0 minutes, and remained significantly lower (p \< 0.05) than core temperature from nine to 20 minutes post-training. The results show that there is no consistent difference between core and tympanic temperature during recovery from a simulated firefighting task across a range of different ambient conditions. Agencies should, accordingly, prioritize investigating other practical markers of core temperature as part of a broader heat stress management plan for firefighters.

}, isbn = {978-0-9806759-6-2}, author = {Larsen, Brianna and Peter Langridge and Anna Ruzic and Cara Lord and Brad Aisbett} }