@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-2503, title = {The sleep architecture of Australian volunteer firefighters during a multi-day simulated wildfire suppression: Impact of sleep restriction and temperature}, journal = {Accident Analysis \& Prevention}, year = {2015}, month = {11/2015}, abstract = {

Author(s): Michael A. Cvirn, Jillian Dorrian, Bradley P. Smith, Sarah M. Jay, Grace E. Vincent, Sally A. Ferguson

Wildland firefighting exposes personnel to combinations of occupational and environmental stressors that include physical activity, heat and sleep restriction. However, the effects of these stressors on sleep have rarely been studied in the laboratory, and direct comparisons to field scenarios remain problematic. The aim of this study was to examine firefighters{\textquoteright} sleep during a three-day, four-night simulated wildfire suppression that included sleep restriction and physical activity circuits representative of firefighting wildfire suppression tasks in varied temperatures. Sixty-one volunteer firefighters (37.5{\textpm}14.5 years of age, mean{\textpm}SD) were assigned to one of three conditions: control (n =25; 8h sleep opportunities and 18{\textendash}20{\textdegree}C), awake (n =25; 4h sleep opportunities and 18{\textendash}20{\textdegree}C) or awake/hot (n =11; 4h sleep opportunities and 33{\textendash}35{\textdegree}C during the day and 23{\textendash}25{\textdegree}C during the night). Results demonstrated that amounts of N1, N2 and R sleep, TST, SOL and WASO declined, whilst sleep efficiency increased significantly in the awake and awake/hot conditions compared to the control condition. Results also demonstrated that SWS sleep remained relatively stable in the awake and awake/hot conditions compared to control values. Most importantly, no significant differences were found for any of the sleep measures between the awake and awake/hot conditions. Thus, working in hot daytime temperatures in combination with sleep restriction during the night did not affect patterns of sleep compared to working in temperate conditions in combination with sleep restriction during the night. However, the effects on sleep of high (\>25{\textdegree}C) night-time temperatures with sleep restriction in addition to physical activity remains to be studied.

}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457515301287}, author = {Michael A Cvirn and Jillian Dorrian and Bradley P Smith and Sarah M Jay and Sally Ferguson}, editor = {Grace Vincent} } @article {bnh-1836, title = {Sleeping at work: not all about location, location, location}, journal = {Sleep Medicine Reviews}, volume = {19}, year = {2014}, month = {05/2014}, pages = {59-66}, chapter = {59}, abstract = {

Working arrangements in industries that use non-standard hours sometimes necessitate an {\textquoteleft}onsite{\textquoteright} workforce where workers sleep in accommodation within or adjacent to the workplace. Of particular relevance to these workers is the widely held (and largely anecdotal) assumption that sleep at home is better than sleep away, particularly when away for work. This narrative review explores the idea that sleep outcomes in these unique work situations are the product of an interaction between numerous factors including timing and duration of breaks, commute length, sleeping environment (noise, movement, vibration, light), circadian phase, demographic factors and familiarity with the sleep location. Based on the data presented in this review, it is our contention that the location of sleep, whilst important, is secondary to other factors such as the timing and duration of sleep periods. We suggest that future research should include measures that allow conceptualisation of other critical factors such as familiarity with the sleeping environment.

}, keywords = {Mobile workplaces, Non-residential workforce, Shift work, Sleep, Sleep environment, Sleep loss, Work rest facilities}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2014.04.003}, url = {http://www.smrv-journal.com/article/S1087-0792(14)00044-6/abstract}, author = {Sarah M Jay and Brad Aisbett and Sprajcer, M. and Sally Ferguson} } @proceedings {BF-3049, title = {Design of a valid simulation for researching physical, physiological and cognitive performance in volunteer firefighters during bushfire deployment.}, year = {2011}, publisher = {R.P. Thornton (Ed) 2011, {\textquoteleft}Proceedings of Bushfire CRC \& AFAC 2010 Conference Science Day{\textquoteright} 1 September 2011, Sydney Australia, Bushfire CRC}, address = {Sydney, Australia}, issn = {978-0-9806759-9-3}, author = {Susan Ferguson and Brad Aisbett and Sarah M Jay and Katrina Onus and Cara Lord and Sprajcer, M. and Matthew JW Thomas} }