Environmental health of wildland firefighters: a scoping review

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Feb. 5, 2024

Abstract Background Wildland firefighters are likely to experience heightened risks safety, health, and overall well-being as changing climates increase the frequency intensity of exposure natural hazards. Working at intersection resource management emergency response, wildland have multidimensional careers that often incorporate elements from disparate fields accomplish tasks suppressing preventing wildfires. Thus, they distinctly different job duties than other (e.g., structural firefighters) environmental health unique their work. We conducted a systematic scoping review scientific literature addresses firefighter health. Our goal was identify studies specifically addressed (as opposed in broader sense), geographic demographic trends, sample sizes, patterns analysis, common categories research. Results Most clustered few highly developed countries, United States within California Idaho. Many fail consider impact factors may on results. The number published annually is increasing themes broadening include social psychological topics; however, most authors field an average < 3 articles. Conclusions three areas we believe imminent priorities for researchers policymakers, including lack diversity study geography demography, need more complex interactive analyses exposure, prioritization research funding focus.

Language: Английский

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Trending discourses and silences around the role of women in wildfires: A systematic scoping review and some reflections from the field

Journal of Rural Studies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 115, P. 103553 - 103553

Published: Feb. 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Determinants of Health and Performance in Wildland Firefighters: A Narrative Review

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 10(1), P. 80 - 80

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Background/Objectives: Wildland firefighters (WFFs) are subjected to significant physical and physiological demands that expose them substantial occupational risks, including thermal stress, prolonged exertion, exposure harmful substances. These factors not only affect their immediate performance but also have long-term implications for health. This narrative review seeks analyze the main influencing health of WFFs, with a particular focus on physical, environmental, psychological challenges. Methods: A was performed, synthesizing data from diverse sources. The analysis centered studies addressing physiological, aspects WFF performance. Specific topics included workload, environmental stressors, use protective equipment, hydration, sleep patterns, mental Results: highlights several critical challenges faced by extreme carrying heavy equipment during extended interventions, elevated strain induced gear, risks associated smoke inhalation dehydration. Additionally, inadequate heightened stress were found impair both cognitive Variations in injury prevalence patterns chronic pain observed, often influenced such as sex, age, professional experience. Conclusion: To mitigate these enhance targeted interventions essential. include tailored training programs, heat acclimatization strategies, improved resource management. Future research should aim integrate measures comprehensively address existing knowledge gaps ensure well-being professionals.

Language: Английский

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Non-respiratory health risks and mortality associated with fighting bushfires (wildfires): a systematic review

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 9, 2025

Abstract Background Bushfires (also known as wildland or forest fires) expose emergency responders to occupational hazards under exceptional circumstances. Whilst the health impacts of structural firefighting have been studied, less is about non-respiratory risk mortality amongst bush firefighters, who can be volunteers. More information risks needed generate effective prevention strategies. Objective To critically evaluate and synthesise published evidence associated with bushfire fighting. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, Embase identify studies evaluating morbidity factors among fighters. The quality included evaluated twice independently using a specific assessment tool. Results Twenty-seven were included. 11(41%) assessed moderate 16(59%) low quality. There growing body for adverse short-term fighting on mental injuries. Linkage showed that volunteer firefighters had lower cancer their late forties compared general population. Conclusion Most relied cross-sectional retrospective designs without comparison groups, limiting ability draw robust conclusions. It essential conduct higher-quality research prospective longer-term follow-up better understand outcomes fighting, particularly given anticipated increase frequency severity bushfires.

Language: Английский

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A systematic review and meta-analysis of musculoskeletal disorders among firefighters

Journal of Safety Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 88, P. 374 - 381

Published: Nov. 22, 2023

Language: Английский

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Occupational Injuries of Spanish Wildland Firefighters: A Descriptive Analysis

Healthcare, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(16), P. 1615 - 1615

Published: Aug. 13, 2024

The work of wildland firefighters, especially the so-called ‘Brigadas de Refuerzo contra Incendios Forestales’, is characterised by high physical demands and extreme operating conditions. These professionals face long workdays (12 h), walking with heavy loads (~25 kg), being exposed to temperatures (>30 °C), handling specialised tools in high-risk environments. This study aimed describe prevalence occupational injuries among members Forestales’ its relationship variables such as age experience. A total 217 firefighters (18 female 199 male) correctly answered a questionnaire developed on an ad hoc basis meet study’s objectives. was observed them (~76%). Age experience were shown be significantly associated injuries. Individuals over 35 years more than 10 years’ had higher probability injury (OR = 2.14, CI 1.12–4.06 OR 2.46, 1.30–4.67, respectively). Injuries occurred mainly during training (~46%), followed preventive (~33%) forest fires (~20%). most common tendonitis muscle pain (~44% ~21% respectively), sprains (~21%). results underline need for activity programmes adapted help older experienced individuals. identification risk factors can contribute prevention management this group highly forestry workers. Specific preventative measures are required mitigate these crews, who play crucial role protecting environment public safety.

Language: Английский

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Perceptions of Turkish Forest Firefighters on In-Service Trainings

Fire, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(2), P. 38 - 38

Published: Jan. 18, 2023

Forest ecosystems in the Mediterranean Basin experience frequent forest fires, and risk of hazards to people assets is expected increase face climate change. Turkey one countries that has faced extreme fires recent years. firefighters are key actors at forefront fighting their effectiveness largely related in-service training. This study investigates differences training knowledge competencies working five fire-sensitive regions Turkey. The results based on a survey 975 firefighters. Sociodemographic data presented as frequency, mean, percentages. Kruskal–Wallis H test was used determine perceptions regions. It determined 89.74% participated training, participation highest 1st degree fire sensitive Turkish have strong perception sufficient terms number content, deficiencies eliminated, capacities increased.

Language: Английский

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International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Neuropathic pain is a chronic illness that originates when abnormal functioning in the nervous system observed or if system, including peripheral nerves, spinal cords, and brain, damaged not working properly, originating pain.Therefore, it can be said neuropathic directly impacts large number of patients, society, healthcare systems all over world.The prevalence believed to 7-8% general population, supposed rise future.The impact on older persons significant.The medical practitioner faces problem reducing symptoms improving patient's quality life.Older people are easily badly affected by more susceptible specific adverse effects.Neuropathic different from nociceptive pain, there requirement for treatment strategy management.The present review article based detailed literature survey etiology, symptoms, disease progression, modern approaches treating information about marketed drugs used effective treatment.The recommendations clinical practices presented this their utility practice.The outcome-based data research employed managing mitigating associated conditions. INTRODUCTION:Neuropathic Pain (NP) complicated syndrome frequently results tissue damage.Neuropathic with condition good way.Sometimes, nerve filaments themselves may malfunction, resulting pain.Neuropathic caused injury central strike at any time.

Language: Английский

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Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Among Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Firefighters: A Preliminary Study

International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(12)

Published: Dec. 9, 2023

This study examined the relationship between predictors such as demographical aspect, task characteristics, physical demands, work-life balance, workstyle, psychosocial factors, and MSDs among firefighters conducted at four fire stations under Kota Kinabalu Zone in Sabah (n=130). The questionnaires used present consist of a characteristics scale, demands balance workstyle Work Organization Assessment Questionnaire, Mental Health Scale, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). data were analysed with use SPSS version 22.0. results show that Scale significantly related to Kinabalu, firefighters. While age gender did not relate MSDs. In addition, there was no other factors on Firefighters experience MSD due overweighted equipment, lack rest, accidents, traumatic events like death victims or teammates, leading depression stress.

Language: Английский

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