26-02 Flashcards
Heat stress - High risk groups include those persons who:
- are obese
- have a low cardio-vascular efficiency
- don’t exercise often enough
- have underlying diseases
- older firefighters
Heat stress will lead to heat exhaustion and you the firefighter as well as your fellow workers can safeguard against heat exhaustion by watching for the following signs and symptoms:
- High core temperatures
- Weak and rapid pulse
- Shallow and rapid respirations
- Blurred vision and dizziness, headaches, loss of consciousness
- Skin pale, cold and clammy
- Muscle and abdominal cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
A Rest Area
- Away from the scene
- Inside a cool quiet area
- if outside a shaded area
- protected from the elements
- mat serve as a medical triage area if the situation dictates
- ensure plenty of drinking water is available.
Ambulance Personnel at the scene.
In the event Ambulance personnel have not been called to the scene the IC will request the same.
Ambulance personnel will monitor those fire-fighters in the rest area by observing the firefighters condition and appearance…This will be done by:
- Monitoring vital signs (BP, Pulse and Respirations)
- Monitor vital signs 5 mins after initial monitor to check recovery rate
Record time checked in.
Ambulance personnel shall record the time the firefighter checks in to ensure adequate rest is allowed
FF’s remain at the rest area until…..
…medical personnel fell they are ready to return to the scene. A general rule of thumb is rest time equals exertion time.
Extra crews fro relief.
At emergencies requiring a rest area to be set up, the IC will ensure extra crews are on scene for relief.
FF’s shall rest after….
- using 2X30min bottles or 1X60min bottle
- after 45mins of hard continuous work of 45mins working under conditions of high ambient temperatures (20 degrees C) and wearing bunker gear.
FF’s experiencing signs and symptoms of heat stress
In all cases, should a FF experience any of the signs and symptoms of heat stress, regardless of time, they will report to the rest area.
All Officers must be aware….
…of the conditions their crews are working under and shall govern themselves accordingly.
FF’s working in specialty suit (Hazmat Fully Encapsulated) will….
…automatically report tot he rest area after being decontaminated. they will be monitored for BP, pulse and respirations and will remain in the rest area until cleared by medical personnel.
All personnel will be observant of ……
….other emergency personnel working with them in the event they show signs and symptoms of heat stress.