FEMA FP&S
Grant Research.

University of Texas at Austin, Principal Investigator - Ofodike A. Ezekoye

RELEVANCE

Firefighters are increasingly responding to incidents in which they are unaware that significant quantities of lithium-ion batteries are on-site. There are an increasing number of cases of firefighters being injured in battery-failure-related accidents.

METHODS

This study will use experimental and computational methods. Experimental methods are proposed to add data where gaps exist in the literature and to reduce uncertainty among the limited Li-ion battery-off-gas datasets in the literature. Computational methods are proposed to expand the space of scenarios beyond what is available through experiments and to aid in defining exclusion and hazard zones.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

A significant near-term outcome will be benchmark-quality data on gases evolved during lithium-ion battery failures. Another important outcome will be an assessment of the accuracy of Li-ion battery gas flammability and toxicity measurements using current-generation firefighter gas and HAZMAT sensor systems. The data collected on the environmental toxicity of the post-battery-fire scene will be important in minimizing firefighter exposures to hazardous materials and improving overall firefighter safety.

Cambridge Public Health Commission, Principal Investigator - Stefanos N. Kales

RELEVANCE

Research documents that health/fitness improves during training academies, but after graduation, these training-derived gains are rapidly lost. Developing and sustaining healthy lifestyles over firefighters’ career spans are key to the fire service’s goals of reducing cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and behavioral health risks.

METHODS

Aim 1- Develop a prototype smartphone application (app) for future Healthy Lifestyle (HLS) Interventions directed at new firefighters. The steps will sequentially include the following with continuous refinements throughout content analysis across all HLS domains, usability testing, building a viable prototype app, “alpha” or internal testing by the research team. Subsequently, “prebeta” testing by our fire service panel and other firefighters (n=15-20) will be completed. Pre-beta participants will then be engaged in focus groups for final refinements of the prototype before field tests of the “end-user” version. Aim 2- Field pilot test (beta-testing) the HLS app with new firefighters (n=30) in their academy and probationary firefighting environments. After completing the pilot testing period, the Beta testing participants will give feedback in Focus Groups (n=20) and via surveys (n=30) to get additional “end-consumer” advice to further refine the content and usability of the application and linked materials. Aim 3- Validate the refined HLS app for the ability to maintain adherence to the HLS program for 3-6 months (n=75) and examine its effects on maintaining/improving HLS parameters (Lifestyle Scores, body composition, physical fitness, behavioral health (trauma/depression) screens). Results will be adjusted for the potential influence of new firefighters’ demographics and working conditions. The latter will include volunteer/career status and fire crew, station, and department cultures/policies. After the validation study, we will conduct final Focus Groups (n=25) and surveys (n=75) to obtain further feedback to make additional content and usability refinements of the app and linked materials to create an improved final product for further study in future intervention trials.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

We will create a viable, user-friendly HLS app that is well-suited to new firefighters. Most firefighters who are open and willing to use the app will remain engaged at least weekly with the app and for at least three to six months. After adjustment for working and demographic conditions, users of the app should produce biologically plausible changes in the direction of better maintenance/improvement HLS parameters as compared to baseline data and historical control data.

University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Principal Investigator - Anila Bello

RELEVANCE

Firefighters are at an increased risk of developing multiple cancers, liver damage, immune suppression, and endocrine disruption effects from PFAS exposures. AFFF represents one of several sources of firefighters’ exposure to PFAS. Fire training facilities are important users of AFFF, and firefighter instructors are a high-risk PFAS exposure group. Elimination of PFAS exposures at the source through product substitution with safer alternatives is the most effective exposure and disease prevention strategy. There are over 100 foam alternatives to AFFF in the US market. Independent assessments of chemical composition, exposure, and safety data are lacking for most alternative products. There is a need to develop guidance to firefighters on alternative foam selection and use, and independently assess their composition and impact on human health. Thermal degradation and physico-chemical transformations of foams during active fires can form highly toxic by-products and nano aerosols that should be considered when assessing new foam alternatives, as well as in studies of firefighter PFAS exposure sources.

METHODS

To achieve the study aims we will conduct a national survey of fire training facilities to collect information on current uses of AFFF alternatives, identify best practices and effective solutions to FP&S R&D Project Abstracts overcome barriers to adopting FFF products. Simultaneously, we will build a testing platform to characterize thermal degradation products of representative FFF and compare them with conventional and short-chain AFFF under controlled conditions. We will measure multiple complementary exposure metrics, including total organic fluorine (TOF), total extractable organic fluorine, inorganic fluorine, individual PFAS species, hydrogen fluoride gas, free radicals, nano aerosols, and size fractioned species distribution in aerosols. We will also evaluate portable Raman spectroscopy as a suitable field-testing technique for semi-quantitative screening of foam products, dust, and other materials for PFAS contamination.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

The project will enable the identification of new opportunities to overcome barriers to full-scale implementation of PFAS-free firefighter foams, and guide the development of best occupational hygiene practices to reduce ongoing PFAS exposures in fire training facilities. Furthermore, the development of comprehensive testing platforms to study thermal degradation products will lead to improved strategies for toxicity testing of foam alternatives, and field sampling of firefighter PFAS exposures for investigations of exposure-disease relationship.

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research, Principal Investigator - Carmen McLean

RELEVANCE

Firefighters experience elevated rates of posttraumatic injury and comorbid sleep problems that can significantly impair occupational functioning yet have little access to evidence-based treatment offered in a format that fits within their work and training schedules. Brief, culturally-adapted evidence-based treatment is needed to help firefighters with posttraumatic injury and sleep problems benefit from effective care.

METHODS

The proposed mixed methods study will involve formative work with fire service stakeholders to adapt the efficient treatment for posttraumatic injury, insomnia, and nightmares to the unique strengths and mental health needs of firefighters. Next, we will conduct a two-arm randomized controlled pilot test (immediate vs 1-month delayed intervention) of the treatment with firefighters to validate the effectiveness of the program and assess acceptability and feasibility.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

Evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic injury, insomnia, and nightmares will be integrated, adapted to the needs of the firefighters, and delivered in an efficient group workshop format. We expect that the demonstrated efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of the treatment will support the dissemination and implementation of this model throughout the fire service.

University of Arizona, Principal Investigator - Jefferey L. Burgess

RELEVANCE

Wildland firefighters are exposed to multiple carcinogens including but not limited to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), formaldehyde, and benzene in smoke from wildland and WUI fires. In addition to smoke inhalation, wildland firefighters are exposed to carcinogens absorbed through their skin. Cancer is a leading cause of fire service morbidity and mortality in municipal firefighters, but it has not been possible to conduct an adequately sized epidemiologic study to directly measure cancer rates in wildland firefighters, although based on their exposures we expect increased cancer rates. Since cancer has a long latency period between exposure and disease onset, measurements are needed now that can identify which exposures are causing carcinogenic effects and that can also determine the effectiveness of new interventions on a much shorter time interval.

METHODS

Building on the existing structure of the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS), we will enroll at least 100 wildland new recruits and up to 200 incumbent career and volunteer wildland firefighters across multiple fire departments. Surveys for self-reported cancer risk and occupational exposures and blood for epigenetic analysis of cancer risk will be collected at enrollment for all study participants, and again after 6-18 months in the recruits, evaluating for association with interim wildland and WUI fire exposure. Urine samples will be collected before and after fire exposures selected by the partner fire departments, measuring urinary PAH metabolites to quantify exposures.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

We will identify exposures and measures of increased cancer risk in wildland firefighters, which will be used to inform interventions to reduce exposures.

NDRI-USA, Inc., Principal Investigator - Brittany Hollerbach

RELEVANCE

As COVID-19 continues to spread around the country, firefighters are increasingly vulnerable to contracting the virus, particularly as new and more virulent mutations emerge. The COVID-19 death toll among firefighters now exceeds the number of line of duty deaths in 2019 and the pandemic is not over. Many departments have struggled with fighting misinformation about vaccines and other mitigation techniques such as mask use. In many places, this lack of effective messaging has led to inadequate infection disease control measures and work conditions that threaten firefighters’ safety and health. Research is necessary to examine firefighters’ perceptions of protective measures as well as health care providers’ successes and barriers to vaccination with the goal of producing fire service-specific evidence-based education, messaging, and dissemination avenues that can be used for future public health crises

METHODS

Leveraging data from national organizations, fire departments, and firefighters across the country, FP&S R&D Project Abstracts we will conduct qualitative assessments of beliefs regarding protective strategies such as mask-wearing and COVID-19 vaccination and departmental and health care providers’ experiences with vaccine rollout. These will be used to build evidence-based educational resources for dissemination among the fire service with help from our fire service partners.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

Using qualitative data collection and a stakeholder panel of leading experts and key opinion leaders in the fire service, this project will solidify Dr. Hollerbach’s integration into the fire service research community. Dr. Hollerbach will synthesize data and assess current perceptions of vaccination and preventative strategies in the US fire service as well as develop educational pieces (short videos, flyers, social media content) to establish an infrastructure where critical health care messaging can be developed and disseminated to the fire service in an expedited manner.

Fire Protection Research Foundation, Principal Investigator - Sreeni Ranganathan

RELEVANCE & METHODS

While significant progress has been made in the first two projects that have included establishing cleaning verification as an NFPA 1851-established requirement for garment shells by manufacturers and service providers and extending cleaning verification to other ensemble elements, gaps remain for comprehensively defining fire service best practices for cleaning and decontamination. Specific investigation approaches are detailed for filling these gaps by applying a series of designed experiments that measure contaminant removal for isolated cleaning variables (e.g., machine vs. manual cleaning, contaminant type, and impact on cleaning on PPE performance) that vary with the individual ensemble element. Additional project elements of this research are established for transitioning cleaning verification procedures to a simpler, resource-friendly kit that fire departments can employ, extending the field disinfection procedures (developed in response to COVID-19) for broader application to all PPE elements, and developing a reliable, quick-turnaround means for fire department to assess PPE contamination levels to inform their cleaning needs. Robust analytical techniques are being applied in each of these investigations that entail the adaptation of standard or previously developed test methods that are combined with field validation for demonstration utility and reliability.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

When completed, this research will define the quantifiable basis for optimum, practical procedures that can be implemented by the fire service for the cleaning and decontamination applied to each part of the structural fighting protective ensembles. It will further answer key questions related to differences between cleaning approaches for the ensemble elements, variations in how contamination is removed on individual products (such as reinforcements and trim as related to base materials on garments), and how different forms of contamination may warrant changes in cleaning procedures. A large focus of this project is providing the evidence that supports cleaning approaches as part of recommended best practices. These practices and the results of this research will further improve the requirements and guidance in NFPA standards that in turn dictate fire service practices, provide comprehensive information on the cleaning and decontamination for the range of firefighting PPE, allow fire departments to assess their contamination levels and ability to remove that contamination and move the industry forward in how PPE can be designed for more efficient cleaning as well as how cleaning products and services can be more effective. The deliverables from the overall effort will ultimately reduce long-term contamination exposure from PPE as a secondary source, which should reduce the number and impact of chronic diseases in the fire service.

North Carolina State University, Principal Investigator - R. Bryan Ormond

RELEVANCE

This work will fill a significant knowledge gap associated with contamination resistance measures, such as fluorinated and non-fluorinated repellent finishes, and their impacts on liquid, particulate, and chemical contamination, cleaning efficacy, and management of thermal energy in both a new and aged state.

METHODS

Turnout composites with varying constructions and repellency treatments will be subjected to aging through UV and laundering. Both new and aged composites will be realistically contaminated with smoke and chemicals in the Fireground Exposure Simulator. To determine performance trade-offs, clean and contaminated composites will be evaluated for the ability to resist chemical and particulate contamination, cleaning efficacy, thermal protection from convective and radiant heat, and impact of radiant load on total heat loss.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

This research will provide an independent and thorough evaluation of the impacts that contamination resistance measures have on turnout performance and firefighter exposures to contaminants. The research findings will inform the NFPA 1971 and 1851 standards during their revision processes, and it will allow firefighters to conduct their own assessments of risk associated with potential trade-offs.

National Institute for Public Safety Health, Inc., Principal Investigator - Steven M. Moffatt, MD

RELEVANCE

The results of this study will be used to generate best practice guidelines to reduce firefighters’ risk for developing communicable diseases, so they may continue providing essential first-responder services during a pandemic.

METHODS

An estimated 1,684 firefighters from randomly selected large, medium, and small-sized fire departments will be recruited for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies testing during the study period. Early in year one, a phlebotomist will travel to the selected firehouses to draw blood specimens for analysis. Follow-up blood draws will occur during the annual physical examination within 12 and 24-months after the initial blood draw in year one to track changes in the SARS-CoV-2 quantitative antibody measures due to exposure or vaccination. Depression and anxiety questionnaires will be completed by firefighters at each data collection time period.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results will be linked with the existing physical examination dataset to allow comparisons of the clinical, laboratory, fitness, and health behavioral characteristics of firefighters who were infected and not infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, infected with and without symptoms and firefighters with and without serious health outcomes or complications. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firefighters’ behavioral health (depression and anxiety) will be determined and included in the comparison data analysis. A resource guide will be developed and disseminated using existing guidelines, the results of this study, and input from an expert advisory group.

The Fire Protection Research Foundation, Principal Investigator - Amanda Kimball

RELEVANCE

This work will fill a significant gap surrounding currently-fielded PPE worn by fire investigators as there are no consensus standards/specifications to help them select the appropriate protective ensembles. Additionally, it will enable the fire service to confidently evaluate the effectiveness of skin-cleaning wipes to remove soot particulates as well as chemical contamination.

METHODS

Laboratory assessments of vapor and particulate protection and the thermal burden will be conducted on fire investigator ensembles at NC State to determine a balance between protection and comfort. These findings will be compared with data collected from field evaluations in a burned structure intended for fire investigator training in conjunction with the NC Office of the State Fire Marshal. For wipe effectiveness, flow-through diffusion studies on skin surrogates will assess the dermal absorption characteristics with different chemicals and temperatures and assess the impact of wipe solution on absorption. Both particulate and chemical will be applied to the skin surrogate in a realistic and repeatable manner to reflect the fire investigator's exposure. On-scene wet decontamination with simple soap and water spray will be evaluated as well as containment of gear following doffing.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

This research will provide a thorough evaluation of performance across a wide range of currently fielded PPE and recommendations to the NFPA committee governing appropriate standards. It will also provide new methods for evaluating particulate protection as well as a standard method for evaluating post-fire wipe efficacy.

NDRI - USA, Inc., Principal Investigator - Sara A. Jahnke

RELEVANCE

Research to understand the immediate response, future impact, and best practice solutions to COVID19 is key to planning for and minimizing the negative impact in future pandemics and identifying the best “new normal” practices for fire and EMS.

METHODS

Leveraging data from national organizations, fire departments, and firefighters across the country, we will conduct both qualitative and quantitative assessments of the COVID19 impact. Interviews and content analysis of the written text will provide an ethnographic perspective of the response while economic analysis, mining of National Fire Operations Reporting System (NFORS) data, and determining firefighters’ behavioral health impact by comparing comprehensive assessments collected pre- and post-pandemic, will quantify the impact on organizations and individuals within the national fire service.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

Using a mixed-methods approach for data collection and a stakeholder panel of leading experts and key opinion leaders in the fire service, we will be able to synthesize data and deliver a roadmap for best practices in pandemic response.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Principal Investigator - Judith Graber

RELEVANCE

Firefighters have an increased risk for cancer. However, almost all the supporting research has been conducted among career firefighters. Volunteer firefighters comprise 67% of the US fire service. They perform the same tasks as career firefighters, but often with less protection and risk reduction. Significant gaps in understanding exposures and cancer risk among volunteer firefighters exist.

METHODS

This three-year, two-phased sequential mixed-methods study will build on the existing Firefighters Cancer and Assessment and Prevention Study (CAPS). For Phase 1, we will enroll 500 volunteer firefighters and, using the national Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS) infrastructure and methods, we will collect survey information about firefighting experiences, behavioral risk factors, and decon practices. We will collect blood and urine to quantify environmental exposures. Phase 1 data will be used to compare volunteer and career firefighters’ exposures and to design Phase 2 focus groups and interviews assessing practices, attitudes, and barriers toward decon among volunteers, including the impact thereon of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

This project will inform meaningful cancer risk reduction efforts for volunteer firefighters by providing much-needed knowledge about their exposures while demonstrating methods for scientists to partner and engage with volunteer firefighters. CAPS data and specimens will become part of the FFCCS, providing a valuable resource for additional studies of volunteer firefighters.

University of Arizona, Principal Investigator - Jefferey L. Burgess, MD, MS, MPH

RELEVANCE

Women firefighters have high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cancer, and adverse reproductive outcomes. However, the lack of sufficient information on the causes of and mechanisms leading to these occupationally related illnesses prevents the creation of effective interventions. Stress is linked with PTSD. In addition, stress has been associated with epigenetic changes, cancer, and adverse reproductive outcomes. Epigenetic changes are integral mechanisms in cancer development. Exposure to inhaled toxicants and stress can cause premature ovarian failure (early menopause), associated with reduced serum levels of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH).

METHODS

Building on the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study, we will enroll at least 100 women new recruits and 100 incumbent career and volunteer firefighters across multiple fire departments. Self-reported stress, cancer risk, reproductive health, and occupational exposure data will be collected via a survey on enrollment and annually for two years. Blood will be collected for epigenetic and AMH analysis at enrollment in all firefighters and again after 18-24 months in the recruits. Departmental fire incident response data will be supplemented by the use of a personal exposure reporting application. We will work with the Women in Fire organization to develop a cross-department peer support intervention and carry out a feasibility study.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

We will identify exposures and risk factors for increased stress, cancer, and reduced ovarian reserve in women firefighters, which will inform future intervention studies. The peer support intervention will decrease stress and be suitable for a future large-scale intervention study.

Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Principal Investigator - Dr. Gavin Horn

RELEVANCE

Although epidemiological data reveal an increased risk of some cancers among firefighters and fire instructors, little information exists on the connection between training fuel sources and chemicals available for exposure during training. Furthermore, no research has examined the effectiveness of different intervention approaches such as alternative training fuels or novel training props to reduce risk while providing high-quality training.

METHODS

Using a multi-scale engineering approach, building off previous DHS FP&S studies, we will (a) characterize training fuel risk from controlled bench-scale experiments to full-scale training fire environments and b) qualitatively assess the value of training fire environments in the context of fire dynamics lesson against the risks generated by these fuels. The ability to link across scales could provide a screening method for currently suggested control measures as well as those proposed in the future.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

We anticipate finding a wide range of products of combustion from various training fuel choices and that intervention fuels may lower this risk while still providing a high-quality training environment. We will also develop an actionable risk-benefit framework that can be implemented by the fire service and included in NFPA 1403. Our results will allow the fire service to make informed decisions about training fuel selection to balance contamination reduction and preparation for fire ground activities.

University of Arizona, Principal Investigator - Jefferey Burgess, PhD

RELEVANCE

The results from this project will inform national standards, manufacturing guidelines, operational, training, and decontamination practices to reduce harmful PFAS exposure.

METHODS

We will survey fire departments nationally on AFFF products and practices used for training and fire response. We will analyze the PFAS mixtures used in AFFF and turnout gear. We will measure PFAS concentrations in urine and blood before and after fireground responses. In training settings, we will separately evaluate the contributions of wearing new and used firefighter turnout ensembles and using AFFF to acute increases in urinary and blood PFAS concentrations. Acute toxicity testing of PFAS mixtures will be conducted using dilutions of AFFF products, and also PFAS mixtures modeling those found in firefighters. In vitro, acute toxicity testing will include kidney, prostate, and colon cells, given the increased cancer rates for these organs seen in firefighters. Chronic toxicity will be evaluated through a comparison of serum PFAS levels in firefighters with those in the general population and with epigenetic markers associated with cancer and other diseases.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

We expect that firefighters will have increased blood and/or urine PFAS levels after firefighting and also after the use of AFFF, and we anticipate that PFAS mixtures will have both acute and chronic toxic effects. We will increase situational awareness in regards to AFFF use and develop best practice recommendations to reduce firefighter exposure to PFAS and prevent their toxic effects.

Florida State University, Principal Investigator - Meredith McQuerry, PhD

RELEVANCE

Research has found that female firefighters are wearing turnout suits that are not sized for the female human form and therefore possess an unsatisfactory fit. Sizing data from other organizations has demonstrated the need for uniforms to be designed specifically for women and that simply sizing down the garment is not an appropriate solution. This research will provide the practical and marketing bases for the initial steps of developing a female turnout suit that meets NFPA standards.

METHODS

In-depth surveys and multiple focus groups will be implemented over the course of the research timeline. This includes the participation of user groups for both structural and wildland firefighting, and key manufacturers that develop and produce personal protective clothing.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

This research will contribute to ultimately improving female firefighter protection from high risks of injury or fatality due to design and mobility issues from the current turnout suit.

Oregon Health & Science University, Principal Investigator - Kerry Kuehl, MD DrPH

RELEVANCE

Fire seasons are longer, with more and larger fires, placing increased demands and risks on all those fighting wildland fires. FEMA recognizes this critical need by encouraging research proposals to improve wildland firefighter safety, health, and wellness through applicable technology and product development; behavioral, clinical, and social research; and dissemination and implementation research. This project meets these high-priority objectives.

METHODS

This three-year, four-phase study begins with a mixed-methods cross-sectional study among multiple U.S. Forest Service regions and types of WFF (volunteers, Forest Service and other government workers, and career structural firefighters) to identify and prioritize needs for a TWH for WFFs in the domains of personal and work safety, physical health, mental/behavioral health and works environmental factors. Phase 2 is to build the TWH program, with a core group of training modules and electives to individualize the program for personal and professional needs. Once developed, we will assess the program with prospective usability and interrupted time-series effectiveness trial, again involving varied locations and WFF groups. The final phase is to partner with the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF) in formatting a durable web-based dissemination platform. In collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council, IAFF, and IAFC, we will vigorously market, promote, and assist in implementing the program with all WFF groups.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

This project will result in an innovative, effective, and scalable TWH program and novel dissemination platform. The program will reduce mortality/morbidity and improve the safety, health, and well-being of those involved in fighting wildland fires. Its return on investment will be high. This project will result in an innovative, effective, and scalable TWH program and novel dissemination platform. The program will reduce mortality/morbidity and improve the safety, health, and well-being of those involved in fighting wildland fires. Its return on investment will be high.

University of Central Florida Board of Trustees, Principal Investigator - Kausik Mukhopadhyay, PhD

RELEVANCE

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) recently reported more than 3 million acres have been burned every year since 1999, and the acreage burned each year is increasing from more than 60,000 wildfires occurring in the United States each year. As the fires burn up homes, cars, businesses, and industries, they also release the components of modern daily life into the ground, water, and atmosphere. While the victims and responders tend to focus on the immediate effects of a fire, the ripple effects that flow from these events, ranging from the enormous respiratory and cardiac effects from the plumes of smoke to the aftermath of the toxic chemicals, create enormous burdens faced by the firefighters and first responders.

METHODS

In this effort, we propose to develop a novel photonic integration on-chip for a reduced cost and deliver higher performance to rapidly detect gases and aerosols with almost no interference or fingerprints from other gases through chemical activity. The emitter array will generate narrow, high-intensity, steerable beams, while the detector array allows for fast, coherent detection of terahertz (THz) waves. We plan to fabricate THz emitter arrays to increase detection rates significantly in this effort. Its success will lead to a truly portable THz-based detection system with high performance.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

Our hand-held module will be easy to carry or maneuver using drones, robotic arms, retro-fit to aerial, sea, or land vehicles to detect toxic gases, aerosols, and organics, thereby protecting the lives and health of the firefighters and victims during fires or explosions. Compared to other approaches and detections methods that are bulky, expensive to maintain, space-constrained, in-lab units only, and costly, our device can be carried by crews and civilians for services at a fraction of cost. We will work with firefighters and associations to train the crew on the usability of such devices.

North Carolina State University, Principal Investigator - Roger Barker, PhD

RELEVANCE

Full system-level tests in NFPA standards are impactful in assessing protective clothing as worn by the responder; however, some of these methods lack comprehensive evaluation for its application in integration and interoperability. This research will provide the basis and support for a new NFPA standard for system-level evaluations of the responder in addition to providing the responder community with testing protocols that can be conducted at their respective station for assessment.

METHODS

Material and system-level methods will be implemented to research, examine, and assess current test methods utilized in NFPA standards. NCSU’s capabilities with manikin systems, in-depth knowledge of users and standards, and expertise in human wear testing will provide unprecedented evaluations specific to protective systems worn against a multitude of encountered hazards.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

This research will contribute to improving firefighter protection and promote education through the creation and design of test methods implemented in a new NFPA standard focused on the integration and interoperability of protective ensembles.

National Institute for Public Safety Health, Inc., Principal Investigator - Steven M. Moffatt, M.D.

RELEVANCE

Research has established that firefighters are occupationally exposed to carcinogens and have an increased risk of cancer as compared to the general population. However, previous studies generally lack detailed information on work exposures, medical, and lifestyle covariates. Case-control studies of cancer among firefighters can elucidate cancer risk factors - what makes some firefighters more likely to develop cancer than others- and thus, inform prevention.

METHODS

Building on prior studies and existing medical databases/registries, we plan to conduct two case-control studies of cancer incidence and mortality among Indiana firefighters. For career firefighters, several hundred to thousand cancer cases will be drawn from three overlapping databases: death certificates from the Indiana State Department of Health, the Indiana State Cancer Registry, and the Regenstrief Institute. Matching career firefighter controls will be drawn from the Public Safety Medical (PSM) Database. For the volunteer study, as many cases as possible will be identified from the same sources, while matched controls will be drawn from the Indiana Volunteer Fire Council (IVFC) and the PSM database.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

Case-control studies of cancer among firefighters can provide epidemiologic evidence regarding cancer risk factors among firefighters and thus, better inform fire service cancer prevention strategies.

Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Principal Investigator - Raul Caetano, MD, PhD

RELEVANCE

The Secret List recently warned that FF alcohol misuse is a huge issue and one we continue to struggle with at every fire department. In our research with >3,500 FFs across the nation, over half reported heavy and binge drinking. In formative studies, FFs suggested that heavy drinking is used to cope with stress and trauma experienced on the job. This proposal is in response to High Priority Recommendation #18 of the 2nd Fire Service Research Agenda.

METHODS

A mixed-methods research approach will be used to develop and test the FSHDT. Participating organizations include the International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chief’s Safety, Health & Survival members, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. We are particularly excited that the NFFF’s First Responder Center for Excellence has agreed to house and disseminate the FSHDT.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

This study will develop and test the FSHDT, which will be used in initiatives to reduce unhealthy levels of alcohol use among FFs.

Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Principal Investigator - Guowen Song, PhD

RELEVANCE

Gloves as subsystems in personal protective equipment (PPE) ensemble are critical in response operations for firefighters to ensure their safety and health. However, the lack of full understanding of thermal physiology of hand and fingers, the relationship between glove material properties and hand manual performance, as well as the nonexistence of a comprehensive glove evaluation system are the major challenges for further improving both thermal protection and manual performance. The inadequate design, engineering, and integration of the PPE system are evidenced to be the major reason for the protection failures and accidents, especially on the hazardous fireground for firefighters.

METHODS

The proposed study is a collaborative effort with researchers in functional textiles, human physiology, numerical simulation, industrial and garment design, performance evaluation, and fire service departments, as well as PPE manufacturers. The goals and objectives of this study can be achieved and measured through carefully designed interdisciplinary labs and teamwork. The first approach is hand-specific model development and the second is to develop a hand form manikin evaluation system with hazard simulation of radiation, hot liquid, and steam. The third is to generate biophysical data for model validation and improvement through a lab manikin system and specially designed human trials. Finally, high-performance gloves will be explored.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

The deliverable of this research is a systematic tool for hand responses/injury prediction, manual performance analysis, and next-generation high-performance gloves for firefighters and other emergency responders, including a new hand-specific thermoregulation model, hand-glove manual performance model, and an instrumented hand form manikin.

These include:

• Education and training tool: when coupling with a glove model that depicts the heat and moisture transfer through glove layers, cold or burn injury predictions for both bare and gloved hands can be calculated in various environments or against different thermal hazards. This knowledge will help educate and train firefighters to protect the vulnerable parts of their hands in training and firefighting to maintain safety and good manual performance that assures the success of operations. In addition, the team will work with firefighter training center in Iowa and develop an inexpensive visualized demonstration software that will serve as an education, training, and awareness tool that can be widely available to fire service departments across the country. • New standards and regulations: the knowledge developed will be applied to improve or develop new standards by ASTM and NFPA organizations, as well as manufacturers.

• The tool will provide enhanced understanding about hand thermal regulatory nature with consideration of hand anthropometry, anatomy, and thermal physical properties. This understanding can also assist fire chiefs to make informed decisions regarding proper training and firefighting operating procedures.

The significant results of the proposed interdisciplinary approach are therefore expected to enhance working efficiency, safety, health, and wellbeing for firefighters and other emergency responders. Thus, the outcomes will advance the protective clothing field and have a broader and highly positive social and economic impact.

Middle Tennessee State University, Principal Investigator - Mengliang Zhang, PhD

RELEVANCE

This study provides a molecular basis to correlate particulate matter with the health hazards of smoke from biomass combustion sources. The knowledge of the chemical composition of particulate matter will enhance proactive actions in preparing firefighters to make informed decisions for protecting their health and safety during wildfire events. The results will be disseminated via the publication of scientific findings and the development of public outreach materials to benefit professional and public audiences, respectively.

METHODS

Analytical methods and sampling strategies will be developed and validated under well-defined conditions at MTSU before their application in field studies. The methods will be evaluated for samples collected at a control burn or fire training exercise and eventually be used to characterize the chemical composition of the particulate matter of wildfire smoke in California. The health implications of particulate matter inhaled by firefighters and residents at the wildland-urban interface will be elucidated by our research results in combination with existing literature in air toxics.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

The proposed project will generate scientific data for the specific constituents in the particulate matter of wildfire smoke by using chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques optimized for unraveling the complex composition. Through research, we aim to provide a thorough understanding of the chemistry of particulate matter in wildfire emissions and contribute to the strategies for reducing the adverse health effects experienced by firefighters in wildfire suppression.