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US Forest Service
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Eureka, July 30, 2008
The Missoula Technology Development Center, a scientific research component of the U.S. Forest Service has contracted with the University of Montana – Human Performance Lab to conduct studies of firefighter performance. Research teams will conduct three studies regarding methods and ways to improve wildland firefighter safety, health, work capacity and overall performance. A seven person research team arrived at the Blue 2 fire camp near Gasquet to set up and conduct research for the next ten days focusing on the following studies:
Final Field Trial of Firefighter WorkShift Lunches:
Prior research has clearly shown that wildland firefighters who eat regularly throughout their work day perform better in the hours before lunch and towards the end of the workshift. This improved performance is the equivalent of about 1.8 additional hours of work each day when compared to eating their entire lunch during the middle of the day.
Over the past two summers trials of different lunch methodologies to increase regular eating across the workshift have been evaluated. The final trial this summer is a result of prior research and extensive feedback from firefighters.
Throughout a ten day period, 100 firefighters will be given modified sack lunches containing similar numbers of calories as a normal lunch, but with smaller items intended to be eaten throughout the workday. This project may lead to revised lunches for wildland firefighters in future years.
Evaluation of Stress in Wildland Fire Incident Management Teams:
This project is a continuation from the 2007 fire season to evaluate Incident Management Team (IMT) members for risk factors that include: heart disease, diabetes; hypertension and other chronic diseases. During this study, the causes and manifestations of stress in IMT members will be evaluated and monitored.
Sleep patterns and disturbances in wildland firefighters:
This study will determine if sleep patterns and disturbances affect quality rest in wildland firefighters. The difficulty with sleeping following arduous work in a fire camp has been well documented. However, little is known about sleep patterns and causes of poor sleep.
Firefighters from line crews will be monitored for four nights by wearing wrist monitors that give the researchers a good picture of when sleep is occurring and when volunteers are awake. As a part of the study firefighters will be given a natural sleep supplement that enhances falling asleep that includes trace amounts of vitamins and amino acids.
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