With summer here, the 3 "H"(s) which are "Hazy, Hot, & Humid" are with us, so the heat is on! That means heat stress related issues are a great concern, none more so a concern than to fire fighters responding to fire calls with full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gear on when it's 90+ weather out.
Heat exhaustion may cause a person to faint, in which case the person should be placed in a cool, shaded area and then receive cold compresses applied to the forehead and body. Rehydrate a person suffering from heat exhaustion with tips from firefighter Captain Joe Bruni in this YouTube video on first aid and medical treatments:
Just like a runner has to pace the run or race he or she is doing, the same holds true with the fire fighter. There's always those fires that are "The Big One" that fire departments respond to and it seems that there's always a report of fire fighters being treated for heat exhaustion, especially on a very hot and humid day.
The weather has broke and it's a bit cooler then it was last week here in the North East, but that doesn't mean fire fighters should put their guard down where they won't get exhausted from the heat on the fire ground fighting fire. PPE has make great strides of improvements over the years in protecting the fire fighter, but the PPE that keeps the fire at bay also keeps and holds heat that builds up inside those bunker gear that are worn. When the outside temperature hits 90 plus with high humidity there really is a strain on the fire fighter to perform.
Pacing one's self and keeping hydrated with water is the key factor for the fire fighter when there's a long on going fire fighting operation during those Hot, Humid, & Hazy days.
A fire fighter needs to be on guard against heat stress. NFPA 1585 gives good guidance for fire fighters in preventing heat stress and rehabilitating on the fire scene on those hot days of summer.
Also to protect from heat stress and serious heat disorders as a fire fighter consider and do the following:
* Maintain a high level of aerobic fitness.
* Acclimate yourself to the increased heat by gradually increasing work time in the heat, taking care to replace fluids and resting as needed.
* Before work drink 1 to 2 cups of water, juice, or sport drink. Avoid excess coffee or other caffeine drinks.
* While working take several fluid breaks every hour, drinking 1 quart of fluid. Drink as much as you can during the lunch time during your shift.
* After work continue to replace fluid losses. Always drink more than you think you need.
* When on the job wear loose-fitting garments to enhance air movement. Wear cotton T-shirts and underwear to help sweat evaporate.
* Always train and work with a partner. Remind each other to drink lots of fluids and keep an eye on each other. If your partner suffers a heat disorder, start treatment immediately.
A summer fire can and will knock a fire fighter out of the fight if they aren't prepared as well as properly watching and looking for possible heat stress effects taking over the fire fighter. Even if a fire fighter is fully hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks, a fire fighter can sweat out all that's was taken from fluids in about 40 minutes or so.
Here's another good YouTube video showing how to recognize situations and different symptoms that can lead to heat stress and heat related illnesses:
All who are on the fire ground need to gauge the fatigue factor among the fire fighters battling the fire because more excited/energetic of the team may not have learn or know their limit of pushing to that heat stress point.
Signs of heat stress/exhaustion can be as simple as someone acting disorientated and has stopped sweating. If this happens then the affected fire fighter needs to get out of the heat and cool down. Any fire fighter that is dehydrated will become weak-legged and could make poor decisions that might cause unnecessary injury.
All fire fighters need to know their limit and train wisely to beat the heat on those hot days of the summer.
Ensure you drink that H2O on those "Hazy, Hot, & Humid" summer days.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
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