Sleep in wildland firefighters: what do we know and why does it matter?

Abstract

Wildland firefighters perform physical work while being subjected to multiple stressors and adverse, volatile working environments for extended periods. Recent research has highlighted sleep as a significant and potentially modifiable factor impacting operational performance. The aim of this review was to (1) examine the existing literature on firefighters’ sleep quantity and quality during wildland firefighting operations; (2) synthesise the operational and environmental factors that impact on sleep during wildland firefighting; and (3) assess how sleep impacts aspects of firefighters’ health and safety, including mental and physical health, physical task performance, physical activity and cognitive performance. Firefighters’ sleep is restricted during wildfire deployments, particularly when shifts have early start times, are of long duration and when sleeping in temporary accommodation. Shortened sleep impairs cognitive but not physical performance under simulated wildfire conditions. The longer-term impacts of sleep restriction on physiological and mental health require further research. Work shifts should be structured, wherever possible, to provide regular and sufficient recovery opportunities (rest during and sleep between shifts), especially in dangerous working environments where fatigue-related errors have severe consequences. Fire agencies should implement strategies to improve and manage firefighters’ sleep and reduce any adverse impacts on firefighters’ work.

Hot, Tired and Hungry: The Snacking Behaviour and Food Cravings of Firefighters during Multi-Day Simulated Wildfire Suppression

“…These tasks are used within real-world wildfire suppression (charged hose advance, blackout hose work, hose rolling, lateral repositioning rake, and static hold [48]), and are considered to be the most physically demanding and operationally important of the tasks performed during wildfire suppression work [49]. Previously published data indicate that there were no differences in physical tasks performed between conditions [12,17,18,48,49]. The details of these components of the 2-h work circuit, including descriptions of all tasks and work to rest ratios are reported elsewhere [13,17,18,49].…”

“…Previously published data indicate that there were no differences in physical tasks performed between conditions [12,17,18,48,49]. The details of these components of the 2-h work circuit, including descriptions of all tasks and work to rest ratios are reported elsewhere [13,17,18,49]. For Day 1 of the Nutrients 2020, 12, 1160 5 of 18 experiment, firefighters completed three 2-h work circuits (6h total).…”

“…Participant demographics are presented in Table 1. There were no statistically significant differences between age or BMI between conditions [48], and the sample is broadly representative of wildland firefighter populations [18]. Data collection occurred from March to August 2012-2013 (autumn and winter months in Australia that are characterised by temperate to cool weather).…”

“…For example, firefighters must assess, react, and respond to hazardous situations, and impaired decision making can impact not only their own safety, but that of their crew members and civilians.During wildfire operations, firefighters are also required to work extended shifts, over multiple days [16], and during wildfire suppression this can result in restricted sleep [17]. Due to a number of factors such as shift start time, shift length, and sleeping in hot, smoky, and noisy conditions, some research has shown that firefighters can sleep on average for as little as 3-4 h per day [6,18]. While this level of sleep restriction can impair cognitive performance [13,14], it is also associated with greater risk of long-term health effects [19,20], with cardiometabolic disease prevalent among firefighters [21,22].…”

A Classification of US Wildland Firefighter Entrapments Based on Coincident Fuels, Weather, and Topography

“…For example, prescribed fires utilize complex firing patterns to actively manipulate fire behavior to achieve different fire effects [57], which may have contributed to unexpected changes that surprised the affected firefighters. Additionally, several human factors (e.g., sleep deprivation [58], leadership skills, and situational awareness [59]) may have been more relevant to these entrapments than any specific environmental condition.…”