Basic Forest Fire Suppression Course - Online Lessons
LESSON 6 - PERSONAL SAFETY
All fire fighters have a responsibility to themselves for personal care issues that will impact their performance on the fire line. Each of us have individual identities with strengths and weaknesses that make up our character and we are the one person who would be best suited to deal with personal care issues. In this section, the issues dealt with are health related and must be considered as general information only. Advice can only be given by qualified medical staff in situations requiring further assistance.
Fire Fighter Fatigue is described as "extreme tiredness after exertion". This condition will occur as a result of a variety of circumstances, each having an impact on performance. To reduce the impact there are several key elements each of us need to be aware of in order to reduce the impact.
- Adequate rest. Working long hours over a period of time will reduce a persons ability to "recover" from lack of adequate rest. Studies that focus on lack of sleep affects work performance during long shifts pretty much agree that for people to perform well at a tough job like wildland fire fighting, they should average one hour of rest for every two hours of work. This 2 to 1 ratio indicates that for a 24 hour period, 14 hours of work should be the maximum in order to recover. Breaks should be taken during work hours as well.This leaves 10 hours for travel, clean up, meals and then prone rest.
- Physical Conditioning: Fitness is one of the most important ways to help control fatigue. The link between fire line performance and fitness is that fit employees are better able to cope with long shifts, reduced sleep/rest time, acclimatize faster and work with a lower heart rate and body temperature. Conditioning is a very personal matter and takes time to build up and maintain but the end results for the staff member as well as the suppression effort becomes quickly apparent.
- Smoke Management: Smoke is a product of the combustion process and regardless of the fuel (structures, wildland ...) it will be present. Conditions are going to vary because of factors that impact the fire itself and this could result in smoke adversely effecting crews on one side and not on another. These conditions will change throughout the day making it critical for fire managers to be aware of local effects and preparing for them.
The smoke filled environment of a wildland fire does not have anything short of a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) that will completely filter out all particulate in that area. Studies have concluded that there may be short term effects to exposure, but have been too short term to link any exposure with long term health problems. The best approach to dealing with the hazards associated with smoke exposure is managing your suppression actions.
Smoke Management Tactics
1. Always begin suppression action on the up wind side and use flank action to suppress the fire.
2. Limit smoke exposure to smoldering fire and inversion conditions (smoke laying close to the ground).
3. High organic soils and heavy ground fuel loads are watch out situations for poor venting conditions.
4. If unfamiliar with burning material (vehicle, aircraft ...), utilize municipal fire departments.
5. Consider exposure to smoke when planning crew placement. Use up dated weather forecasts for planning future placements.
6. Utilize heavy equipment in areas of heavy smoke to create a break (slash fuels) around the fire perimeter.
7. Urban Interface fires near structures should be actioned only by municipal fire departments.
Smoke matter content
— Carbon Monoxide
— Carbon Dioxide
— Acrolein
— Benzene (associated with gas engine operation)
— Formaldehyde
— Particulate matter
– All found to be under acceptable limit
Inhaling smoke can result in a variety of conditions that if extended over time can make breathing uncomfortable for some and very difficult for others. Limiting exposure will reduce the possibility of smoke inhalation but will not prevent some of the symptoms from occurring.
Smoke Inhalation Symptoms
— Coughing— Breathing Difficulties
— Upset Stomach
— Vomiting
— Sleepiness
— Confusion
— Call a Doctor if you develop a high temperature.
Basic First Aid For Smoke Inhalation
1. Remove victim from smoke filled environment immediately.2. Once the victim has reached smoke free air, rest while taking deep breaths.
3. If the victim has inhaled a lot of smoke or has burned their airways, they may need to hospitalized so they can be given oxygen. Medical attention may also be required.
LIMIT SMOKE EXPOSURE
Studies on smoke management and the exposure to smoke in the wildland environment is a relatively new subject and nothing in the Maritimes has been collected to date. Limit your intake, and if you or members of your crew are beginning to show signs of smoke inhalation, remove yourself or others from the environment.
- Heat Stress can become a problem when humidity, air temperature, and radiant heat combine with hard work to raise body temperatures beyond safe limits. There are three phases to this condition and each becomes progressively worse as time goes on. They are: Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke. While on the fire line we must be able to recognize the warning signs and take action to prevent further deterioration.
- Hypothermia: A low body temperature, as the result of exposure to cold weather elements. As a result of this condition the core body temperature is unable to recover without added assistance. In early stages the signs will be: shivering, slurred speech, mental slowness or lethargy, muscular stiffness and clumsiness. As the condition becomes severe, signs will indicate: mental confusion, disorientation, stupor or coma, absence of shivering, stiff or rigid muscles, shallow and very slow breathing, weak pulse and a fall in blood pressure.
The first indication is usually shivering and if someone has gotten wet, begins to shiver, this could be an indication of hypothermia during the early stages. Treatment should include: Remove the victim from the elements and try to provide shelter, provide dry clothes (if necessary), provide hot drinks, provide an external heat source. Medical attention may be required if condition progresses beyond this point.
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Lightning Safety
Lightning is a phenomenon which occurs as result of weather events such as: thunderstorms, dust storms and sometimes intense snow storms. During the development of any storm, air is being forced up into the cloud column with positive and negative charges separating within the cloud. An incredible amount of energy builds up within the cloud and needs to have a release mechanism, which results in a lighting storm. The temperature of a lighting bolt can reach 30,000° C and results in numerous fatalities across the country every year. Wildland fires occur in a natural setting which can place crews in a vulnerable situation during the passage of a storm. Education is the single most important means to achieve lightning safety and crews need to be able to protect themselves in the event of a storm.The following precautions should be taken to ensure fire fighter safety:
- Weather conditions should be monitored by a designated person.
- Suspension and resumption of outdoor activities should be planned in advance. Understanding of SAFE shelters is essential. SAFE evacuation sites should include:
a) Fully enclosed metal vehicles with windows up.
b) Substantial building, preferably with plumbing.
c) Low ground. Seek shelter in clumps of bushes. - Avoid unsafe shelter areas such as: tall trees, open areas, fences, any metal objects, high ground, water.
- If you feel your hair standing on end, and/or hear "crackling noises" you are in lightning's field. If caught outside, immediately remove metal objects, place you feet together, duck your head, and crouch down low to the ground with your hands on your knees.
- Observe the 30/30 rule. If you can count to 30 or less between when you see the lightning and hear the thunder, you are within range of the storm (Danger Area). Leave the area immediately and find a SAFE SHELTER location. Wait 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder before resuming activities. Even after the storm has gone by, you can still be struck by a bolt that can strike 30 kilometers away (bolt out of the blue).
Lightning myths: - Lightning can strike the same spot twice. - Rubber soles offer NO protection. - People who have been struck by lightning.
DO NOT carry an electrical charge.
Treat your Feet
Your feet make sure that we get from one spot to another so it is extremely important that you give your feet extra attention. Treat your feet with extra care because they have to carry your entire weight for hours at a time, and for days on end. Some helpful advice for proper foot care:- Wear CSA approved boots that are comfortable for you.
- Make sure your boots are clean and dry at the beginning of each shift.
- Carry additional socks that can be changed during the day.
- Wear two pair of socks. Outside layer should be wool.
- Treat blisters or other ailments without delay
This completes Lesson 6 - Personal Safety
- Weather conditions should be monitored by a designated person.
| Heat Cramps | |
| Signs: Muscle cramps. | Treatment: Drink salted fluids. |
Heat Exhaustion |
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| Signs: Headache, Fatigue, Nausea. | Treatment: Drink salted fluids, remove from sun and rest. |
Heat Stroke |
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| Signs: Loss of consciousness Delirium. | Treatment: Seek immediate medical attention. |
Fluid replacement is vital. |
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