https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4077-5639
Figures & data
Figure 1. Survey demographics: (a) fire department type; (b) firefighter rank in the department; (c) years of service. Note: Based on 2949 responses.
Figure 2. (a) Service location and (b) climate during the summer months. Note: Based on 2949 responses).
Figure 3. Building structures involved in fire calls. Note: Based on 2949 responses.
Table 1. Garments worn under turnout gear in summer months.
Figure 4. Turnout coat deployment in transit to fire scene. Note: Based on 2932 responses.
Table 2. PPE items worn before and after getting into the apparatus when being notified of a suspected working fire.
Figure 5. Time duration of SCBA cylinders worn by firefighters. Note: Based on 2903 responses. SCBA = self-contained breathing apparatus.
Table 3. PPE items worn during overhaul.
Figure 6. PPE items removed during rehabilitation in the summer months. Note: Based on 2768 responses. PPE = personal protective equipment; SCBA = self-contained breathing apparatus.
Figure 7. Firefighters’ perception of (a) apparatus interior climate compared to outdoor weather conditions during warmer months and (b) apparatus AC cooling effect in transit. Note: Based on 2917 responses. AC = air conditioning.
Figure 8. Firefighter perception of the thermal environment during overhaul compared to the outside temperature. Note: Based on 2746 responses.
Figure 9. Average response time to a suspected working fire in summer months. Note: Based on 2917 responses.
Figure 10. Average time spent at the fire scene. Note: Based on 2768 responses.
Figure 11. Distribution of time on scene by intensity of work activity. Note: Based on 2768 responses.
Figure 12. (a) Re-entry times to a working fire after the first entry (based on 2893 responses) and (b) average time for SCBA EOSTI to go off (based on 2903 responses). Note: EOSTI = end-of-service time indicator; SCBA = self-contained breathing apparatus.
Figure 13. Average time in rehabilitation. Note: Based on 2893 responses.
Figure 14. Typical time firefighters spend in overhaul operations. Note: Based on 2755 responses.
Figure 15. Firefighter ranking of most strenuous tasks in structural firefighting. Note: Based on 2949 responses. First rank is rated to be the most physically demanding task.
Table 4. Typical firefighter comments on environmental conditions and activities that cause heat stress.
Figure 16. Factors affecting firefighter heat strain in an example response scenario to a structure fire. Note: AC = air conditioning; PPE = personal protective equipment; SCBA = self-contained breathing apparatus; NA = not applicable.
