The ageing Australian firefighter: an argument for age-based recruitment and fitness standards for urban fire services

Currently, there is no enforcement of physical standards within Australian fire services post-recruitment, possibly leading to inappropriate fitness and body composition. This study evaluated the impacts of ageing on physical standards of Australian firefighters. Seventy-three firefighters from three different 10-year age groups [25–34 years (n = 27), 35–44 years (n = 27), 45–54 years (n = 19)] volunteered for physical testing using dual-energy X-ray analysis and existing fitness tests used for recruitment by an Australian fire service. Older (45–54 years) participants demonstrated significantly poorer physical standards compared with younger participants including cardiovascular fitness (p < 0.05), strength (p = 0.001) and simulated operational power testing tasks (p < 0.001). Age-related body composition changes were also observed independent of body mass index. Minimum recruitment standards and fitness programs need to account for age-related declines in physical capabilities to ensure that the minimum standard is maintained regardless of age.

Practitioner Summary: Using dual-energy X-ray analysis and established fitness testing protocols, this study aimed to gain an appreciation of the current standards of body composition and fitness of Australian firefighters and the effects of ageing on their physical abilities post-recruitment. The study demonstrated a significant decline in physical standards due to age.     

The European,Japanese and US protective helmet,gloves and boots for firefighters: thermoregulatory and psychological evaluations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and subjective responses of the European, Japanese (JPN) and US firefighters' helmet, gloves and boots for international standardisation. Three experimental conditions were evaluated (clothing mass: 9.4, 8.2 and 10.1 kg for the three conditions, respectively) at the air temperature of 32°C and 60% relative humidity. The results showed that there was no significant difference among the three conditions in oxygen consumption, heart rate, total sweat rate, rectal temperature and mean skin temperature, whereas peripheral temperatures and subjective perceptions were lower in the JPN condition than in the other conditions (P < 0.05). These results indicate that a 0.5-kg reduction in helmet mass and a 1.1-kg reduction in boot mass during exercise resulted in a significant decrease in head and leg temperatures and subjective perceptions, while a 1.9-kg reduction in total clothing mass had insignificant influences on the metabolic burden and overall body temperature.     

消防员职业损伤因子及对策研究

摘 要：为减少消防员职业损伤,促进消防队伍战斗力全面提升,采用问卷调查法、因子分析法等对影响消防员职业损伤的因素进行综合评价,探讨消防员职业损伤的关键因素,提出消防员职业损伤防控对策。研究表明,训练因子、休息因子、入职前身体活动因子、损伤防治教育因子是影响消防员损伤的4个主因子,其累计方差贡献率78.906%。提出统筹训练规划,降低训练损伤,防范过度疲劳;强化体能基础,提升业务技能与心理素质,筑牢实战根基;健全损伤处理预案,加强损伤防治教育;推行精准医疗理念等对策。     

Effect of nano silver coating on thermal protective performance of firefighter protective clothing

The main aim of this experimental work is to find out possible improvement in thermal protective performance of firefighter protective clothing when subjected to different level of radiant heat flux density. Firefighter protective clothing normally consists of three layers: outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal liner. When thermal protective performance of firefighter protective clothing is enhanced, the time of exposure against radiant heat flux is increased, which will provide extra amount of time to firefighter to carry on their work without suffering from severe skin burn injuries. In this study, the exterior side of outer shell was coated with nano-silver metallic particle through magnetron sputtering technology. Coating of outer shell with nano-silver particles was performed at three level of thickness, i.e. 1, 2 and 3?µm, respectively. All the uncoated and silver coated specimens were then characterized on air permeability tester, Permetest and radiant heat transmission machine. It was observed that coating has insignificant difference on the air and water vapor permeability of specimen and a significant decline was recorded for the value of transmitted heat flux density Q_c (kW/m²) and percentage transmission factor (%TF Q_o) as compared to uncoated specimen when subjected to 10 kW/m² and 20?kW/m² indicating improvement of thermal protective performance. These values go on further reduction with increase in thickness of coating layer of nano-silver particles.     

基于多传感器的室内三维定位算法研究

针对消防员在日常救援过程中难以准确获知自身位置坐标的问题,采用姿态传感器和气压计,提出一种室内三维定位算法(ITPA)。在ITPA算法中,根据加速度的幅值均方根、加速度的幅值方差和角速度的幅值均方根,实现过零监测,从而获知消防员的行走步数。根据气压计的数据,采用高度获取,卡尔曼滤波和异常数据处理等操作,获知消防员的高度,并判断其移动行为。通过二维移动距离计算和位置获取操作获知二维坐标。根据消防员的行为对其三维坐标观测值进行修正,并采用Kalman融合算法估计消防员的当前三维位置坐标。实验结果表明:在直行行走、楼梯行走和综合行走下,ITPA算法都能获得较接近真实路线的消防员室内三维位置,降低了算法的步数误差、距离误差和漂移误差,比FINS,IPNS和IPA3D算法更优。     

Numerical simulation of heat transfer in protective clothing with various heat exposure distances

This paper reports on a model of heat transfer through multi-layer firefighter protective clothing with an air gap under radiant heat flux of 8.5 kW/m². The model considers the dynamical changes of heat exposure distance due to human body movement. The predictive results were found in good agreement with the experimental measurements. Numerical model was employed to study the effects of heat exposure distance and moving speed on heat transfer in multi-layer fabric system. The results showed that the heat exposure distance had an significant impact on skin burn. The safe zones for firefighting operation were more than 0.3 m for 2nd degree burn and 0.15 m for 3rd degree burn when the fabric system was exposed to 8.5 kW/m² for 300 s. However, the moving speed could speed up the time to 2nd degree burn but alleviate the time to 3rd degree burn.     

消防服衣下空气层热传递机制研究进展

空气层热传递机制的研究不仅可为更加准确的实验室热防护性能测试提供指导,也可提高消防服热湿传递数值模拟的精确度。在阐述了热防护性能测试中空气层的作用以及空气层热传递模型的研究现状的基础上,分析了服装与人体之间空气层微气候的特征,从热传导、对流换热和辐射换热3个方面总结了空气层的热传递机理,提出不同条件下空气层传热模型建立的基本思路,并对未来消防服衣下空气层热传递机理的研究动向作出了预测。     

建筑火灾灭火内攻行动安全研究

内攻行动是扑救建筑火灾、迅速抢救人员生命的最有效的方式,对2007-2016年间的消防员伤亡情况进行了统计分析,整理了内攻行动的风险因素,在此基础上分别从内攻战术安全意识和内攻技术安全措施两方面,对内攻时机把握、内攻指挥体系建立、内攻险情征兆、紧急避险措施等一系列内攻安全问题进行了剖析,研究成果能够为消防员内攻行动安全提供参考。     

Firefighter learning at a distance – a longitudinal study

This article presents a summary analysis of a 5‐year study on the implementation of a technology‐supported distance firefighter training programme in Sweden, focused on the firefighter students' learning processes regarding challenges, contradictions and changes that occurred during the implementation period. With activity theory as the theoretical basis, three data collections were carried out. The analysis, based on interviews with firefighter students and instructors as well as observation logbooks and educational documents, identified two phases, an implementation phase and a dissemination phase. The implementation phase is characterized by the distance students developing a self‐directed and goal‐oriented learning, supported by the revised and technology‐supported training design. During the dissemination phase, when many technology‐inexperienced instructors become involved in the distance programme, a number of challenges and contradictions are identified, which, however, turn out to be a driving force for the students to develop alternative learning strategies. Finally, vocational distance training is discussed in terms of potential opportunities for developing vocational students' learning processes.     

Comparison of measured and self-reported anthropometric information among firefighters: implications and applications

This study evaluated the accuracy of self-reported body weight and height compared to measured values among firefighters and identified factors associated with reporting error. A total of 863 male and 88 female firefighters in four US regions participated in the study. The results showed that both men and women underestimated their body weight ( ? 0.4 ± 4.1, ? 1.1 ± 3.6 kg) and overestimated their height (29 ± 18 , 17 ± 16 mm). Women underestimated more than men on weight (p = 0.022) and men overestimated more than women on height (p < 0.001). Reporting errors on weight were increased with overweight status (p < 0.001) and were disproportionate among subgroups. About 27% men and 24% women had reporting errors on weight greater than ± 2.2 kg, and 59% men and 28% women had reporting errors on height greater than 25 mm.

Practitioner Summary: This study along with literature revealed that the self-reported approach is not a sustainable option for anthropometric surveys, even for gathering data from physically active professional groups, such as firefighters, who presumably are knowledgeable of their body dimensions. Self-reported anthropometric information is undependable in important population subgroups.