The purpose of this project is to improve firefighter situational awareness in identifying the presence of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and evaluating the hazard posed by the Li-ion batteries prior to, during, and post firefighting engagements. Success for the project would be providing conclusive data of the toxicity hazards posed by failing Li-ion batteries before, during, and after firefighting operations and guidance on the reliability and accuracy of current firefighter gas and HAZMAT sensor systems in assessing the hazards posed by failing Li-ion batteries. <more>

Aim 1- Develop a prototype smartphone application (app) for future Healthy Lifestyle (HLS) Interventions directed at new firefighters. Aim 2- Field pilot test (beta-testing) the HLS app with new firefighters in their academy and firefighting probationary environments. Aim 3- Validate the HLS app for its ability to maintain adherence to the HLS program for 3-6 months and for its effects on maintaining/improving HLS parameters (Lifestyle Scores, body composition, physical fitness, behavioral health (trauma/depression) screens). <more>

The main purpose of this project is to address existing knowledge gaps related to substitution of traditional Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) that contain Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) with Fluorine-Free Foam (FFF) alternatives. We aim to: 1) Document current uses of firefighter foam alternatives in fire training facilities nationwide and identify incentives and barriers to their adoption; 2) Develop a platform and test methods to characterize thermal degradation and physicochemical transformation of foam alternatives and common AFFF under controlled experimental conditions; and 3) Develop guidance materials on best practices for selecting and using new foam alternatives and reducing ongoing PFAS exposures. <more>

Treating comorbid insomnia and nightmares is critical to improving outcomes for the treatment of posttraumatic injury. Delivering effective and efficient treatment to firefighters will likely enhance treatment retention and accelerate recovery. An efficient group workshop format treatment provided in the community will increase accessibility, minimize the stigma of seeking mental health care, and has the potential for rapid dissemination and implementation. <more>

To evaluate exposures and cancer risks in wildland firefighters. Specific aims: 1) Evaluate acute exposure to carcinogens during wildland and wildland-urban interface (WUI) responses; and 2) Measure biomarkers of chronic carcinogenic effect. <more>

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented public health and economic crisis that has had an immense impact on the fire service. There have been only two FEMA-funded studies to date, including one by our group, that have begun to examine the pandemic’s impact on the fire service. This project, in partnership with current FEMA-funded work and building upon current efforts, will establish Dr. Hollerbach, a former firefighter and early career investigator, as a fire service scientist and will form the foundation for her research career. Dr. Hollerbach, supported by the NDRI-USA team, will: 1) examine firefighters’ perceptions of vaccinations and protective strategies, such as mask-wearing; 2) identify health care providers’ successes and barriers associated with rolling out vaccinations in the fire service, as well as with protective behaviors; and 3) examine how to best disseminate information to the fire service and educate firefighters about public health response in a crisis. The goal of this project is to create a roadmap for future public health crises and leverage the lessons learned in information dissemination to respond to future pandemics and health crises. <more>

The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) proposes to build on and augment research conducted from two prior DHS projects (AFG FOA FY14: “How Clean is Clean” and AFG FOA FY17: “Broadening PPE Cleaning Validation Applications”) to establish and communicate comprehensive best practices the fire service can apply to effectively clean and sanitize firefighter PPE. The purpose of this research is to lessen firefighter exposure to harmful contaminants from uncleaned or improperly cleaned PPE that improves firefighter safety and health. The principal aims for this new effort are to comprehensively identify the most effective and practical decontamination approaches for each element of the firefighter ensemble (garments, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, and SCBA/PASS), to create simple, easily implementable tools where fire departments can assess PPE contamination from individual structural fires and effectiveness of their internal cleaning procedures, and to fully establish metrics by which PPE material and clothing suppliers, service providers, and cleaning equipment/supply companies can improve their products and services for efficient contamination removal. <more>

Our aim is to improve the health and safety of firefighters by developing a strategy for the incorporation of appropriate contamination resistance measures in NPFA 1971 and 1851 without compromising the protection that firefighters need against fireground and environmental hazards. We will accomplish this by reviewing NFPA requirements regarding contamination resistance, assessing the impacts of contamination resistance on ensemble performance, and determining the impact of aging on contamination resistance, performance, and exposure. <more>