A survey of hundreds of firefighters reveals how they deal with heat stress and fatigue. 

Firefighters faced extreme conditions during the 2020 summer bushfires, which claimed the lives of nine firefighters across Australia. 

Now, new research is drawing on sport performance strategies to better help them combat heat stress and fatigue. 

A survey of 470 NSW firefighters recently asked how they recover in the field, especially in situations of greatest heat stress. 

Air and helmet temperatures at residential fires can reach 750C and 190C respectively, while flame temperatures during bushfires can be as high as 1100C.

The study found firefighters generally rely on simple strategies to lower their core body temperature, such as finding shade, drinking water and removing helmets and jackets.

The research suggests there is potential for better cooling and recovery protocols.

“We know from data overseas that more than 75 per cent of firefighters experience heat-related illness symptoms such as headache, sudden muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, and fainting, and that sudden cardiac death accounts for almost half of all firefighter duty-related fatalities,” says research leader Dr Hugh Fullagar from the Human Performance Research Centre at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

“Heat stress also results in poorer cognitive functioning and decision making, which in turn likely increases the risk of fatalities.”

Beyond simple cooling strategies - which were largely the only ones available - firefighters in the survey expressed a desire for improved access to similar methods being applied to promote safety and performance in sport such as cold consumables (eg. slushies), external cooling aids (eg. ice packs/vests), as well as other recovery equipment (eg. cooling fans, portable shade cover).

The survey was the first part of a two-part study. 

With a better understanding of the available and relevant cooling and recovery strategies preferred by firefighters, the next step will see experts determine the optimum combination, timing and selection of these strategies.