Bunker Gear: Part of the Problem?

摘要

It seems every time a firefighting periodical is published, someone is writing about stopping firefighter fatalities. Various recommendations have been made in the hopes of saving one firefighter's life. Annually, 50 percent of firefighters killed in the line of duty die of stress-related injuries, namely cerebrovascular accidents (CVA/ stroke) and heart attacks. Many studies have examined the causes of these deaths and some recommendations have been made, but are these conclusions all-inclusive? One study came to the conclusion that firefighters are less fit today than our forefathers were. The author recommended a better diet and more fitness training for firefighters. Both recommendations are vital, but are we less fit? Are inadequate fitness and poor diet the only causes of these stress-related deaths? Another study said fires today are hotter than those of the past. This increased heat is putting greater stress on today's firefighters; this conclusion cannot be disputed. Today's fires, fueled by synthetic materials, burn hotter than natural fiber fires of the past. Additionally, today's tightly constructed buildings hold the products of this combustion better. This combination creates a hotter environment for working firefighters. Is this the sole cause of stress-related deaths? Another study contended that firefighters are overheating and recommended wearing ice vests under bunker gear to help dissipate the heat created by working in fire conditions. This vest may help, but will the benefit be great enough to overcome the increased exertion caused by carrying more restricting weight? What is causing all of this heat? An area that demands attention by the fire service is bunker gear and its association with firefighter heat stress.