Study Aim Conclusion Introduction Method Results

Fire Service Instructors’ Working Practices: A United Kingdom Survey Emily Watkins Mark Hayes, Peter Watt & Alan Richardson Environmental Extremes Laboratory, Eastbourne, UK

Introduction

Method

Fire Service Instructors (FSI) frequently experience extreme temperatures whilst wearing protective clothing, causing high levels of physiological and perceptual strain. Anecdotally, FSI report symptoms of ill health, such as recurring colds and disrupted sleep. This could be detrimental to FSI work performance and career longevity. Few studies have investigated the acute or chronic impact that leading fire exposures (wears) has on FSI, with previous research using a single training centre. To begin assessing if repeated wears are causing ill health within FSI, a clear understanding of FSI working practices is needed.

Following a focus group with the Health Management Research Group for Live Fire Instructors a survey was created and distributed across the UK. It included: 6 sections  37 questions Covering: • Demographics • Wear frequency • Preparation • Recovery • Illness • Additional comments Firefighters (FF) were asked: • Demographics • Wear frequency • Illness

Study Aim To document working practices of FSI, identify type and prevalence of ill health, and compare responses to firefighters.

Results In total 130 FSI (age: 43 ± 7 yrs, time in role: 5 ± 5 yrs) and 232 FF (age: 41 ± 8 yrs, time in role: 16 ± 8 yrs) responded to the survey, although individuals were allowed to skip questions that they deemed not applicable. The average number of fire exposures in the previous month was 2 ± 3 for FF, with 214 (92.2%) completing ≤ 5 wears a month. Only 17 (13.1%) FSI completed ≤ 5 wears a month. A mixture of preparation and recovery techniques are used amongst FSI, including: drinking water, consuming ice slurries, forearm cooling and wearing ice or phase change vests, as shown in Figure 1. However, time for preparation and recovery was not routinely available for 72.9% and 69.7% of FSI, respectively. Only 44.1% of FSI had hydration guidelines.

Preparation

Recovery

1%

14%

14% 7% 48%

25% 15%

59%

5% 4%

7%

1%

Figure 1. Preparation and recovery methods for a wear used by FSI.

FSI who complete 6-10 breathing apparatus (BA) wears a month have an increased risk of experiencing a new illness or symptom (OR = 1.6, CI 0.66-3.66). The risk increases for FSI who complete ≥11 BA wears (OR=4.5, CI 1.33-15.09). Reported FSI Wear Limits: 34.5% felt they did too many wears in a week 44.6% were unaware of a wear limit Those that had limits ranged from 2-10 per week

Conclusion FSI need further education and guidelines on hydration and pre and post cooling methods. Symptoms reported by FSI may be linked to wear frequency. Research is therefore needed to identify the correct wear workload quotas to minimise the risk of ill health.