Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: More Firefighter Nation-Cardiovascular and Carcinogenic Risks

FirefighterNation Webcast Firefighter Safety and Health

Cardiovascular and Carcinogenic Hazards of Modern Firefighting

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Time:	11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 10:00 AM Central Daylight Time 08:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Cost:	Free to attend.
Duration:	Approximately 90 minutes.

Fighting fires exposes the human body to myriad environmental and pathophysiological hazards, increasing the risk of occupational-related mortality and morbidity. Sudden cardiac events are the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the Fire Service and the primary acute health concern. On the other hand, cancer is a primary chronic health concern associated with firefighting.

In this study, we will collect pertinent physiological data concerning cardiovascular and carcinogenic risks associated with firefighting activities. We will provide the first rigorous scientific study to quantify acute physiological disruptions, including thermal and cardiac strain, and exposure to products of combustion, in response to working in a realistic modern fire environment. Further, we will document the time course of recovery from firefighting work and examine how the response and recovery is modulated by tactical choice and firefighters’ riding assignment (e.g. Engine vs Truck), providing the most relevant data to inform the national discussion on establishing a timeline for returning a firefighter to service after a fire.

We will investigate salient physiological parameters (including EKG abnormalities, coagulatory potential, and markers of carcinogen risk) for up to 12 hours post firefighting activities to better understand this “vulnerable period”. Importantly, we will also investigate the effect of on-scene PPE cleaning and decon, to determine the effectiveness of this strategy to minimize secondary exposures to additional cardiovascular and contaminant risks from PPE off-gassing after a firefighter has removed their breathing protection.

In order to accomplish this ambitious project, our team will include scientists and firefighters with experience in studying physiological strain of firefighting (IFSI), the leading authorities in measurement of fire dynamics and fire behavior (UL)and experts in firefighter toxic exposure (NIOSH).

This project addresses the most important health concerns of firefighters and does so in a way that ensures that the results are “directly” applicable to firefighters. Keeping with our team’s long standing tradition of dissemination, and leveraging an extensive network of fire service collaborators, we will distribute our findings to those who need it and can implement it, including standard setting bodies (i.e, NFPA 1500, 1582, 1584, 1851, 1971), policy makers, training academies, fire officers and firefighters.
Please join us for this event sponsored by MSA.

At MSA, our business is safety. We’ve been the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality fire/rescue and safety products since 1914, providing sophisticated, life saving devices and protective gear — the result of countless R&D hours, relentless testing, and an unwavering commitment to quality that saves lives and protects those men and women who protect us each and every day. Our core product focus emphasizes Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), including the revolutionary MSA G1 SCBA and respiratory protective equipment, Cairns® head, eye, face, hearing and communications protection, fall protection and rescue products, Altair® portable gas detection instruments and Galaxy Test Systems, and Evolution® Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC). When You Go In, We Go In With You. For more information, please visit www.MSAfire.com or call 1-877-MSA-FIRE.

add to calendar