Researchers set out to understand firefighting’s physiological impact

IU researchers will use new technology and a $1 million federal grant to study how firefighting affects the body’s cardiovascular and \nrespiratory systems. \nThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded a team of researchers led by IU visiting scientist Jim Brown the $1 million grant to complete the study, which is the first of its kind. \nHalf of firefighter deaths each year are a result of cardiovascular or respiratory problems, Brown said. As of now, there are no studies that document the health consequences of firefighting. This research could help create innovative exercise programs for Indiana firefighters and in turn decrease cardiovascular and respiratory deaths, Brown said. \nOver a six-month period, researchers will outfit 60 firefighters in high tech “LifeShirts,” lightweight vests comprised of sensors that record and monitor cardiovascular and respiratory systems, to collect data on the physiological effects of \non-duty firefighting. \n“It is simple, it can fit underneath the T-shirt and doesn’t hinder them from doing their job,” Brown said.\nBloomington Fire Department Battalion Chief Rob Stumpf said he had heard about the study some time ago. Stumpf, who has worked for the fire department for almost 10 years, said he is very excited about this new development.\n“I think it is a good idea,” he said. “We all know that the job that we do is pretty taxing.”\nIn addition to the vest, some subjects will wear helmets with a built-in video recorder. The camera will monitor the intensity of the fires and how hard the firefighters are working. Stumpf is one of the few who wear the camera.\n“Originally it was used for extreme sports, but now we are using it,” Stumpf said. “It is a great application we can learn a \nlot from.”\nBrown said the study will aid in the development of an exercise regimen for the firefighters and will also allow researchers a mathematical model on the physiology of how firefighters respond to fires on duty. Brown said his main goal is to collect data that could lead to the production of a training DVD that will be incorporated in the training process for firefighters.\n“Right now their training programs are not very focused,” Brown said. “You have to understand the physical demands of the job.”\nEighty percent of fire stations around the country do not have effective exercise training programs, which could explain why half of firefighter deaths are from cardiovascular and/or respiratory problems, Stumpf said. \n“I hope it begins to speak to the notion that not every one can do the job,” Stumpf said. “(You have to) stay in good physical health and eat good.”\nBrown hopes to administer the training DVD to all 913 fire stations in the state of Indiana. Brown and his team will begin collecting data the first week of December and intends to complete the study by May 2008.