@article {bnh-4469, title = {Sleep in wildland firefighters: what do we know and why does it matter?}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {27}, year = {2018}, month = {02/2018}, chapter = {73}, abstract = {

Wildland firefighters perform physical work while being subjected to multiple stressors and adverse, volatile working environments for extended periods. Recent research has highlighted sleep as a significant and potentially modifiable factor impacting operational performance. The aim of this review was to (1) examine the existing literature on firefighters{\textquoteright} sleep quantity and quality during wildland firefighting operations; (2) synthesise the operational and environmental factors that impact on sleep during wildland firefighting; and (3) assess how sleep impacts aspects of firefighters{\textquoteright} health and safety, including mental and physical health, physical task performance, physical activity and cognitive performance. Firefighters{\textquoteright} sleep is restricted during wildfire deployments, particularly when shifts have early start times, are of long duration and when sleeping in temporary accommodation. Shortened sleep impairs cognitive but not physical performance under simulated wildfire conditions. The longer-term impacts of sleep restriction on physiological and mental health require further research. Work shifts should be structured, wherever possible, to provide regular and sufficient recovery opportunities (rest during and sleep between shifts), especially in dangerous working environments where fatigue-related errors have severe consequences. Fire agencies should implement strategies to improve and manage firefighters{\textquoteright} sleep and reduce any adverse impacts on firefighters{\textquoteright} work.{\textquoteleft}

}, keywords = {Health, performance, physical activity, planned burn, safety, sleep restriction, wildfire.}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/WF17109}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/wf/pdf/WF17109}, author = {Grace Vincent and Brad Aisbett and Alexander Wolkow and Sarah M Jay and Nicola D. Ridgers} } @article {bnh-3230, title = {Psychophysiological relationships between a multi-component self-report measure of mood, stress and behavioural signs and symptoms, and physiological stress responses during a simulated firefighting deployment}, journal = {International Journal of Psychophysiology}, volume = {110}, year = {2016}, month = {12/2016}, abstract = {

Physical work and sleep loss are wildland firefighting demands that elicit psychological and physiological stress responses. Research shows that these responses are statistically related which presents an opportunity to use subjective psychological questionnaires to monitor physiological changes among firefighters; an approach used extensively in sport settings. The aim of the present study was to investigate if changes in self-reported psychological factors on the multi-component training distress scale (MTDS), relate to cytokines and cortisol levels among firefighters completing three days of simulated physical firefighting work separated by an 8-h or restricted 4-h sleep each night. Each day firefighters completed the MTDS in the morning and salivary cortisol and inflammatory cytokines were measured throughout the day. When sleep restricted, firefighters demonstrated increases in MTDS factors of general fatigue, perceived stress and depressed mood that were related to elevated cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10, IL-6) and cortisol. Conversely, firefighters who had an 8-h sleep demonstrated a positive relationship between physical signs and symptoms and elevated IL-6, while depressed mood was inversely related to decreasing cortisol and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10). Findings highlight the utility of the MTDS to detect psychological changes that reflect physiological responses among firefighters. Future research that establishes thresholds for specific factors which predict health-related physiological changes, will allow fire agencies implement multi-component measures to monitor and manage the health of personnel on the fire-ground.

}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.10.015}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167876016307681}, author = {Alexander Wolkow and Brad Aisbett and Sally Ferguson and John Reynolds and Luana Main} } @mastersthesis {bnh-4631, title = {Sleep restriction across a simulated firefighting deployment: The impact on acute stress responses}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, pages = {317}, school = {Deakin University}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Exposure to stressors set in motion inflammatory, cortisol, heart rate and mood responses that allow the body to maintain normal healthy function. Severe or chronic stressors however, may adversely alter the action of these stress responses and lead to adverse health outcomes. Periods of sleep restriction and performing physical work are two stressors routinely faced by wildland firefighters, yet the combined impact that these demands have on firefighters{\textquoteright} acute stress responses is poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to investigate the effect of physical firefighting work and sleep restriction on firefighters{\textquoteright} cytokine, cortisol and heart rate responses, their interactions, and how mood may influence any observed physiological changes.

}, keywords = {Emergency management, firefighters, physiological., Sleep, sleep deprivation}, url = {http://dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU:30083644/wolkow-sleeprestriction-2015A.pdf}, author = {Alexander Wolkow} } @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-3099, title = {{\textquotedblleft}Awake, smoky, and hot{\textquotedblright}: Providing an evidence-base for managing the risks associated with occupational stressors encountered by wildland firefighters}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {43}, year = {2012}, month = {01/2012}, abstract = {

To curtail the spread of wildfire, firefighters are often required to work long hours in hot, smoky conditions with little rest between consecutive shifts. In isolation, heat, smoke, and sleep disruption can have a detrimental impact on cognitive and physical abilities. Far less is known, however, about the combined impact that heat, smoke, and sleep disruption can have on firefighters{\textquoteright} performance during wildfire suppression or on human performance in general. The available literature, though scant, suggests that audio and visual tracking may be degraded after sustained heat exposure following one night of sleep deprivation. Exposure to heat and carbon monoxide, in contrast, appears to have only limited impact on cognitive performance, even after physical exercise. Heat and carbon monoxide exposure does, however, increase physiological exertion to a given work or exercise bout. To the authors{\textquoteright} knowledge, there are no published studies that have explored the impacts of heat exposure following sleep disruption on physical work performance, sleep disruption and smoke exposure on physical or cognitive work, or the combined impacts of sleep disruption, smoke and heat exposure on cognitive or physical work. While more integrative research is needed, the current review provides a summary of the available evidence and an indication of the degree of confidence agencies can have in the research. This will allow both the scientific community and agencies to make informed recommendations regarding the management of wildland firefighters{\textquoteright} health and safety on the fireground.

}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2011.12.013}, author = {Brad Aisbett and Alexander Wolkow and Sprajcer, M. and Susan Ferguson} } @article {bnh-1784, title = {Cardiovascular Risk Screening Volunteer Firefighters Report}, year = {2012}, month = {08/2012}, abstract = {

Background: The work demands involved in firefighting place significant stress on the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the application of the AHA/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire in volunteer Country Fire Brigade (CFA) firefighters.

Methods: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were measured in 3777 CFA firefighters and entered into a modified version of the American Heart Association (AHA)/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire to stratify individuals as low, moderate or high risk.

Results: Just over half (50.8\%) of female and more than two thirds (68.2\%) of male CFA firefighters were classified as moderate risk. The questionnaire further stratified 2.6\% of female and 5.2\% of male CFA firefighters as high risk while the remaining 46.6\% and 26.6\% of female and male firefighters, respectively, were classified as low risk.

Conclusion: The majority of firefighters screened were at moderate risk and therefore, would be advised by AHA/ACSM guidelines to undertake and pass a detailed medical examination and a medically supervised exercise test prior to initiating vigorous intensity physical activity. However, considering the financial and practical implications (e.g., reduced emergency response capacity) the introduction of mandatory screening may cause, fire agencies should focus screening for high risk personnel only, while promoting agency wide CVD health education.

}, isbn = {978-0-9806759-6-2}, author = {Alexander Wolkow and Kevin Netto and Peter Langridge and Jeff Green and Nichols, David and Michael Sergeant and Brad Aisbett} } @article {bnh-1788, title = {The Stress of Firefighting Report}, year = {2012}, month = {08/2012}, abstract = {

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.

}, 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} }