Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Cardiovascular and Carcinogenic Hazards of Modern Firefighting now available for viewing
Cardiovascular and Carcinogenic Hazards of Modern Firefighting now available for viewing
Recorded: 30 June 2015
Now available for on demand viewing.
Cost: Free to attend.
Duration: Approximately 120 minutes.
Join us for this two-part ground breaking event!
Fighting fires exposes the human body to myriad environmental and pathophysiological hazards, increasing the risk of occupational-related mortality and morbidity. Sudden cardiac events are the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the Fire Service and the primary acute health concern. On the other hand, cancer is a primary chronic health concern associated with firefighting.
In this study, we will collect pertinent physiological data concerning cardiovascular and carcinogenic risks associated with firefighting activities. We will provide the first rigorous scientific study to quantify acute physiological disruptions, including thermal and cardiac strain, and exposure to products of combustion, in response to working in a realistic modern fire environment. Further, we will document the time course of recovery from firefighting work and examine how the response and recovery is modulated by tactical choice and firefighters’ riding assignment (e.g. Engine vs Truck), providing the most relevant data to inform the national discussion on establishing a timeline for returning a firefighter to service after a fire.
We will investigate salient physiological parameters (including EKG abnormalities, coagulatory potential, and markers of carcinogen risk) for up to 12 hours post firefighting activities to better understand this “vulnerable period”. Importantly, we will also investigate the effect of on-scene PPE cleaning and decon, to determine the effectiveness of this strategy to minimize secondary exposures to additional cardiovascular and contaminant risks from PPE off-gassing after a firefighter has removed their breathing protection.
In order to accomplish this ambitious project, our team will include scientists and firefighters with experience in studying physiological strain of firefighting (IFSI), the leading authorities in measurement of fire dynamics and fire behavior (UL)and experts in firefighter toxic exposure (NIOSH).
This project addresses the most important health concerns of firefighters and does so in a way that ensures that the results are “directly” applicable to firefighters. Keeping with our team’s long standing tradition of dissemination, and leveraging an extensive network of fire service collaborators, we will distribute our findings to those who need it and can implement it, including standard setting bodies (i.e, NFPA 1500, 1582, 1584, 1851, and 1971), policy makers, training academies, fire officers and firefighters.
Please join us for this event sponsored by MSA: http://www.fireengineering.com/webcasts/2015/06/cardiovascular-and-carcinogenic-hazards-of-modern-firefighting.html
Now available for on demand viewing.
Cost: Free to attend.
Duration: Approximately 120 minutes.
In this study, we will collect pertinent physiological data concerning cardiovascular and carcinogenic risks associated with firefighting activities. We will provide the first rigorous scientific study to quantify acute physiological disruptions, including thermal and cardiac strain, and exposure to products of combustion, in response to working in a realistic modern fire environment. Further, we will document the time course of recovery from firefighting work and examine how the response and recovery is modulated by tactical choice and firefighters’ riding assignment (e.g. Engine vs Truck), providing the most relevant data to inform the national discussion on establishing a timeline for returning a firefighter to service after a fire.
We will investigate salient physiological parameters (including EKG abnormalities, coagulatory potential, and markers of carcinogen risk) for up to 12 hours post firefighting activities to better understand this “vulnerable period”. Importantly, we will also investigate the effect of on-scene PPE cleaning and decon, to determine the effectiveness of this strategy to minimize secondary exposures to additional cardiovascular and contaminant risks from PPE off-gassing after a firefighter has removed their breathing protection.
In order to accomplish this ambitious project, our team will include scientists and firefighters with experience in studying physiological strain of firefighting (IFSI), the leading authorities in measurement of fire dynamics and fire behavior (UL)and experts in firefighter toxic exposure (NIOSH).
This project addresses the most important health concerns of firefighters and does so in a way that ensures that the results are “directly” applicable to firefighters. Keeping with our team’s long standing tradition of dissemination, and leveraging an extensive network of fire service collaborators, we will distribute our findings to those who need it and can implement it, including standard setting bodies (i.e, NFPA 1500, 1582, 1584, 1851, and 1971), policy makers, training academies, fire officers and firefighters.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Firehouse living: 55 basic rules for survival
Following these rules will help the new firefighter get along in firehouse living — and if you break them, here are six remedies
Aug 20, 2009 Retrieved from FireRescue1.com blog site on July 15, 2015
By Tony Vitalie Updated July 7, 2015
After 20 years in the fire service I have had the pleasure of working and living with a wide variety of personalities. I've learned something from each and every individual that I've had the opportunity to work with — some through positive examples and some by way of negative examples.
In the process I’ve also learned a great deal about myself and about this unique group dynamic. This is the kind of thing one cannot learn in a class room or academy.
My time in school and even my four years of study psychology in no way prepared me for Firehouse living. In my opinion, all retired firefighters should be given an honorary Ph.D in psychology.
Every firehouse has its own unique dynamic and personality. Yet, as unique as they all are, there are some universal truths that hold true regardless of where you might end up working and living. Remember that unlike other professions, firefighters are subject to not only a unique and demanding work environment, they are also subject to unique living conditions, as working together and living together are one in the same for firefighters.
This creates the need for understanding human behavior and respecting those we work and live with.
What best prepares one for firehouse living is growing up in a large dysfunctional family. Only children and those who always got to choose their friends may have a harder time than those who grew up in a crowded house and had to share everything with siblings — they were forced to live and get along in very close quarters.
How are you preparing for the next generation of the fire service?
In response to this question posed by the National Fire Academy Alumni Association, then Superintendent Dr. Denis Onieal replied:
There’s a line in the Bob Dylan song “Subterranean Homesick Blues” that says, “…you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” You don’t need an assembly of fire service experts to know which way the fire and emergency services is moving ― just read the headlines. The shootings in Aurora, outside Milwaukee, Tucson and Newtown; the tornadoes and flooding in the southeast; the wildfires in the northwest and the increased demand for emergency medical services by the baby boomers are all influencing our future. The fire and emergency services are every community’s all-hazards response agency of first and last resort.
As a result, we’re undergoing tremendous changes. In some cases, progressive leaders are influencing that change. In other cases, the political forces are imposing the change, but we’re changing nonetheless.
One consideration during these tough budget times is that National Fire Academy training is inexpensive; less expensive than most. We cover the cost of round-trip airfare; give students a dorm room and the training at no cost. All students pay for meals, about $125 per week. Of course there are back-fill and salary / benefit costs for the local department, but they would have those costs for ANY training ― even in-house training.
The National fire Academy offers residential and off-campus courses in almost all areas of fire prevention, investigation, administration and EMS management. We now include the Managing Officer program which targets new and aspiring officers. And, we continue to offer the Executive Fire Officer program.
The NFAAA provides periodic updates to alumni about application periods opening and closing, last minute class vacancies, pilot course recruitment and notifications on job openings at the USFA.
VISIT THESE SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
National Fire Academy Alumni Association: http://www.nfaalumni.org/
National Fire Academy Course Catalog: http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/
National Fire Academy Alumni Association: http://www.nfaalumni.org/
National Fire Academy Course Catalog: http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)