Use of Physiologic Markers to Evaluate Firefighters’ Reactions When Exposed to Stressors

Details

• Personal Author:
  Kincer G
• Description:
  Purpose: Elevated cardiovascular deaths among firefighters suggest the need for improved surveillance during stress of on-duty firefighting activities. Vital sign alterations during firefighting activities may serve as early warning signs of cardiovascular and respiratory distress. Goals of early VS alteration detection: 1. Permit reduction of acute exposures prior to manifestation of adverse cardiovascular or respiratory health sequela; 2. Allow timely health interventions, and; 3. Identify firefighters not demonstrating acute distress as they perform essential job functions. Background: This is a pilot research feasibility report based on evaluation of preliminary data from the University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center's Targeted Research Training (TRT) "Firefighter Study". TRT Aim 1, addresses firefighter responses to heat stress. This poster is being presented to inform development of the study entitled, "Use of physiologic markers to evaluate firefighters' reactions when exposed to stressors." This effort expands on previously completed TRT funded data collections to achieve a sufficient sample size to permit a focus on firefighters' vital signs outcomes. Design: All subjects sign informed consents as per the approved IRB protocol. Data collection processes are designed around the firefighters' live-burn trainings. The trainings included 3 scenarios lasting approximately 10 minutes. Objective and subjective measures are gathered prior to the trainings (baseline) and post-scenario throughout the trainings. For control group data will be gathered at baseline and approximately one hour after end of live-burn training at the fire departments. Methods: Heart rate is monitored continuously during the three training scenarios using a Zephyr Bioharness. Measures of blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2, tympanic temperature, perceived exertion, perceived respiratory distress, and height and weight will be obtained pre- and post-scenario. Pilot Feasibility Results: Feasibility results for this expanded vital signs project were based on analysis of preliminary TRT vital signs data collection from three regional fire departments that agreed to take part to date during the TRT study. Approximately four firefighters per each live-burn training participated in the TRT study and 100% completed the data collection. Conclusions: Feasibility: Determined feasible to acquire previously collected vital signs data and replicate vital signs collection methods in expanded study. Total required sample size: projected for expanded firefighter study analysis (N = 94). An estimated total of 10 additional live-burn trainings at regional sites will be required to achieve a sufficient sample size for a vital signs analysis. Limitations: Majority of sample subjects in prior TRT effort have been urban, Caucasian men, and not all fire departments perform annual medical testing or provide stress tests for their firefighters providing fewer sample subjects that meet study eligibility criteria. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Firefighters Heat Stress Disorders Hot Temperature Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Acute Exposure Cardiovascular Function Tests Fire Fighters Heat Stress Monitoring Systems Physiological Response Wearable Technologies
• Publisher:
  University of Cincinnati
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20052460
• Citation:
  17th Annual Pilot Research Project Symposium, University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center, October 13-14, 2016, Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, 2016 Oct; :1
• Email:
  kincergl@mail.uc.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  17th Annual Pilot Research Project Symposium, University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center, October 13-14, 2016, Cincinnati, Ohio
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c413c007a42fb96a561801300aa1ecab97abd525ca0a7d465eb0d40a54d71cbe288fdd5e5e45733dbc5d7765024e2b9f3ef8c684b35528f067add7c808b022c2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/211985/cdc_211985_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 88.71 KB ]