Pacific Northwest
Geographic Area
Safety Alert
Excessive Heat: Increased Risk of Heat Related Illness
July 2014
The National
Weather Service has issued an advisory warning of temperatures expected to be
10 to 20 degrees above normal across
much of Oregon and Washington for the next week. The most severe heat will be at lower
elevations, particularly east of the Cascades. In addition, humidity is also
expected to be above normal. With the
high temperatures and above normal humidity, Fire resources will be exposed to
an environment that poses an increased risk for heat related illnesses (HRI).
What you need to know: Heat related
illnesses are a direct result of the body’s inability to cope with heat. When
heat gain is greater than heat loss, firefighters are at risk of suffering
HRI’s. These illnesses can manifest themselves as a minor symptom or a life
threatening emergency. HRI’s include; Heat
Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke. While recognition and treatment are important,
prevention is the key. It is important to note that a temperature above 95
degrees F with any amount of humidity will put you in the high risk zone.
Increased hydration and frequent breaks are required for any physical activity
performed in this zone.
Consuming water or sports drinks
does not guarantee that you won’t suffer a heat related illness! Over a 22-year period, the military reported
that only 17 percent of all soldiers suffering HRI’s were dehydrated (Tech Tips
June 2010). Therefore, just employing hydration strategies in extreme heat will
not prevent HRI’s.
In
order to help mitigate the increased risks, consider utilizing one or more of
the following preventative strategies:
·
Adopt a Bi-Modal Operational Shift: This
would entail morning briefing and fireline operations, followed by afternoon
monitoring and heat recovery, and then evening fireline operations. This shift
would allow resources to operate during the more mild temperatures of the
mornings and evenings, and take advantage of reduced fire activity during those
same hours.
·
Continue with Current Operational Shift
Schedules, Providing more Frequent Breaks: Daily schedules and
operational timing stay the same yet utilize the flexibility to adjust
work/rest ratios as the weather changes. For example, during summer 2011 the
Pike IHC employed the following work/rest ratios for escalating temperatures:
§
98 – 103 degrees: 10 minutes rest after 1 hour of continuous work
§
103 – 105 degrees: 15 minutes of rest after 45 minutes of
continuous work
§
105 degrees and above: 30 minutes of rest after 30 minutes of
continuous work
Other
Preventative Strategies
·
While
resting, resources should seek shade, when vehicles are close by, provide
breaks in the crew vehicles with A/C.
·
Hydrate
with COLD water and sports drinks if at all possible.
·
Remember
to consume fluids before and after operational shifts as well.
·
Provide
sleeping locations that allow for adequate rest.
·
Use
the buddy system and watch for signs and symptoms of HRI’s.
·
Flexibility
to the work, to the environment and to the firefighters is key.
As
more frequent and longer breaks are taken as temperatures climb production
rates can decrease. However, the
decreased production is acceptable given the risk of injury from HRI’s.
Other Tools
1)
Heat Illness Basics for Wildland Firefighters:
http://wildfirelessons.net/documents/heat_illness_Basics_For_Wildland_Firefighters.pdf
2)Wildland
Fire Crew Operations in Extreme Heat:
3)
Heat Injury Prevention Guide:
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