Awake, smoky and hot!

This forum was held on 22 September 2014

Presenters:

• Dr Brad Aisbett, Deakin University

• Prof Sally Ferguson, CQUniversity

• Dr Michelle Short, University of South Australia

• Dr Fabienne Reisen, CSIRO

• Robyn Pearce, lead end user, Tasmania Fire Service

Research projects covered: Operational readiness of rural firefighters, Beyond endurance sustaining operations and Air toxins

What's it about?

A series of studies have explored the possible impacts of three fire ground stressors on firefighters – smoke, sleep disruption, and heat. Experiments measured and modelled toxic emissions that firefighters could be exposed to while fighting fires at the urban/rural interface. Studies also employed novel laboratory based simulation of fire ground work to examine the impacts that shortened sleep and high temperatures have on firefighter physical and cognitive performance. Some investigations of the impact of shift length and rosters were also conducted. This research was sponsored by fire agencies and the results offer insights to help safeguard workers operational readiness.

Awake, smoky and hot! overview video

Replay the online forum

Who attended?

• Operational managers
• Firefighters
• Workforce managers
• Workforce safety specialists

Key resources you should know about

• Video - Simulated bushfire fighting
• Fire Note on Operational readiness of rural firefighters - Fire Note 110: Awake, smoky and hot
• Fire Note on Beyond endurance sustaining operation - Fire Note 120: Shift length
• Fire Note on Air toxins - Fire Note 114: Assessing toxic emissions at the rural/urban interface
• Bushfires extending into the rural/urban interface final report
• Fire Australia article - Producing a clearer picture of smoke toxins