Search Results (8)

Background/Objectives: Aviation firefighting is a strenuous occupation that requires individuals to engage in intense physical activity amidst elevated stress levels and extreme environmental conditions. Despite this, there has been limited investigation regarding the internal and external loads associated with aviation firefighting tasks, which include hose dragging, stair climbing, casualty evacuation, and fire extinguishing in airports and aircrafts. The aim of this study was to examine the internal and external loads placed on aviation firefighters. By identifying these demands, this study seeks to inform the development of targeted training strategies, improve job safety, and lower the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: Sixteen Australian aviation firefighters (35.13 ± 8.2 years) were recruited and assigned specific roles to complete an aircraft firefighting scenario. Measures of heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were used to quantify internal load, while measures of completion time and distance travelled were used to quantify external load. Results: The median scenario completion time was 21 min (IQR = 5), with each role travelling a median distance of 245–541 m. During the scenario, median average HR values ranged between 61.1 and 72.0% HRmax and median maximal HR values ranged between 77.8 and 84.4% HRmax. As the only group to record $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂, driver firefighters operated at a median average $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂ of 49% of their $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2max and achieved a median maximal $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O₂ of 78% of their $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2max. Conclusions: This study effectively identified the task-specific internal and external loads associated with aviation firefighting, offering valuable insights for developing specific training protocols for firefighters to ensure appropriate physical capacity to perform their job roles safely. Full article

As a result of the continuous use of persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), e.g., in aviation firefighting foams, contamination with PFAS has been found in soil, groundwater, and surface water around thousands of industrial and military installations. Due to their harmful (environmental) potential, further dispersion in the environment needs to be stopped, which can be achieved by appropriate absorption materials. In this work, the influence of the cross-linking agent epichlorohydrin (ECH) concentration on the perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) adsorption capacity of chitosan gel was investigated. It was found that higher ECH concentration during the cross-linking step decreases the PFOS adsorption capacity of the cross-linked chitosan gel from 0% to 4% ECH solution by about 15%. Using a concentration of 1%, ECH resulted still in an acid-stable material, and a maximum PFOS loading capacity of 4.04 mmol/g was obtained, one of the highest described in the literature. Furthermore, we used a rapid small-scale column test to compare the PFOS adsorption capacity of chitosan and activated carbon, each in both milled and unmilled form. Unmilled chitosan showed the highest PFOS adsorption capacity considering adsorption material dry masses (>0.9 and <0.4 mmol/g for both types of chitosan and activated carbon, respectively). Milled activated carbon proved to be the better adsorption material, considering the fixed volume of the adsorber (>99.9% PFOS adsorbed). Overall, the cross-linking agent concentration in chitosan is a crucial factor influencing its PFOS absorption potential. Our results feature cross-linked chitosan as an effective economic and ecologic alternative for PFOS adsorption in aqueous solutions. Full article

The deployment of fixed-wing aircraft in fire-extinguishing operations represents a significant advancement in the domain of aviation emergency rescue. Addressing the challenge of enhancing firefighting efficacy, this study delves into the water-dropping strategies of fixed-wing extinguishers and provides a methodological framework for the strategic planning and assessment of water-dropping tactics, employing multi-resolution modeling. The formulation of the planning algorithm and the structure of the effectiveness evaluation index system are explained accordingly. The corresponding prototype system was designed, comprising four subsystems that utilized distinct resolution models: fire environment simulation, water-dropping point scheme planning, approaching path planning, and mission evaluation simulation. Case studies validate the system’s capability to forecast fire and smoke propagation, plan a water-dropping trajectory based on the fire line, optimize flight paths based on the trajectory, and simulate as well as evaluate the whole firefighting mission process. The above research comprehensively constructs the model, finishes the iterative optimization, and evaluates the water-dropping strategy by simulation. The technical path and methodological framework of studying water-dropping strategies are established. The outcomes of this study provide invaluable support for the parameter inversion design of the fixed-wing extinguisher, offering decision-making assistance to commanders and supplying training scenarios for new aviation crews. Full article

Ultra-fine dry powder extinguishing agent (UDPEA) is a promising alternative to Halon agents in aviation firefighting. The formulation of UDPEAs should balance environmental friendliness and practical engineering requirements, including high extinguishing efficiency, excellent flowability, and prolonged anti-reignition. This study investigates the effects of three modification methods (single perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane (FOTS), single N-(3-Triethoxysilylpropyl)perfluoro(2,5-dimethyl-3,6-dioxanonanoyl)amide (PFPE), and a combination of FOTS and PFPE at various mass ratios (2.0:0.4, 1.6:0.8, 1.2:1.2, 0.8:1.6, 0.4:2.0) (g)) on the performance of sodium bicarbonate-based UDPEA. The results indicate that using FOTS or PFPE alone improves the water and oil contact angles, but still fails to meet the required hydrophobicity and oleophobicity standards, and it also reduces the flowability and fire-extinguishing capability. A combination of FOTS and PFPE at the 1:2 ratio yields the best performance, with the water and oil contact angles of 145.169° and 143.542°, respectively, the lowest flowability index (0.224), minimal extinguishing concentration and time (14.183 g/m³ and 1.976 s, respectively), which is only 52.7% and 68.3% of those of the unmodified UDPEA’s (26.927 g/m³ and 2.893 s), and the longest anti-reignition time (68.5 s). In addition, the fire-extinguishing mechanisms (chemical inhibition and physical heat absorption) and anti-reignition mechanisms of the modified UDPEA (with the FOTS to PFPE ratio of 1:2) were revealed. This research aims to design an eco-friendly, high-performance UDPEA as an effective substitute for Halon extinguishing agents. These findings can provide valuable insights for evaluating and selecting aviation fire-extinguishing agents. Full article

Aircraft provide critically important capacity for a wide range of missions for wildland firefighters, but their use brings inherent risks. Aviation-related fatalities account for 30% of federal and contractor firefighter deaths in the United States over the last ten years. Aviators are generally well-versed in tactical risk management tools and practices intended to guide individuals through go/no-go decision-making processes. For example, it is common practice for aviators to ask, “Is this flight necessary?” before every mission. The necessity of a flight in accomplishing a singular objective, such as extinguishing a spot fire on a large wildfire, may be clear; however, it may be unnecessary if the incident objective is to contain the wildfire at pre-identified locations far from the active spot. Due to many factors, including the distributed nature of the Incident Command System, aviators may be unaware of strategic objectives guiding the management of a large wildfire, and unnecessary risk may come from misalignment of tactical and strategic objectives. We introduce the Aviation Use Summary (AUS), a decision-support framework which guides managers through a strategic risk management process for aviation use on large wildfires or broader areas of interest. This tool provides a comprehensive summary of the location and timing of aircraft assignments and retardant and water delivery through maps, graphs, and tables. Since 2017, customized AUS products have been utilized by strategic incident managers on over 70 large wildfires or regions. We present an overview of the AUS, describe its use within risk management assistance efforts in the US Forest Service, and explore potential future paths for this work, including automation and incorporation of additional novel analytics. Through this, we aim to shift the question to ask, “Why is this flight necessary?” to increase safe and efficient use of limited resources by minimizing unnecessary risk. Full article

Across the globe, aircraft that apply water and suppressants during active wildfires play key roles in wildfire suppression, and these suppression resources can be highly effective. In the United States, US Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) aircraft account for a substantial portion of firefighting expense and higher fatality rates compared to ground resources. Existing risk management practices that are fundamental to aviation safety (e.g., routinely asking, “Is this flight necessary?”) may not be appropriately scaled from a risk management perspective to ensure that the tactical use of aircraft is in clear alignment with a wildfire’s incident strategy and with broader agency and interagency fire management goals and objectives. To improve strategic risk management of aviation assets in wildfire suppression, we present a framework demonstrating a risk-informed strategic aviation decision support system, the Aviation Use Summary (AUS). This tool utilizes aircraft event tracking data, existing geospatial datasets, and emerging analytics to summarize incident-scale aircraft use and guide decision makers through a strategic risk management process. This information has the potential to enrich the decision space of the decision maker and supports programmatic transparency, enhanced learning, and a broader level of accountability. Full article

Innovative technology has been an important part of firefighting, as it advances firefighters’ safety and effectiveness. Prior research has examined the implementation of training systems using augmented reality (AR) in other domains, such as welding, aviation, army, and mathematics, offering significant pedagogical affordances. Nevertheless, firefighting training systems using AR are still an under-researched area. The increasing penetration of AR for training is the driving force behind this study, and the scope is to analyze the main aspects affecting the acceptance of AR by firefighters. The current research uses a technology acceptance model, extended by the external constructs of perceived interactivity and personalization, to consider both the system and individual level. The proposed model was evaluated by a sample of 200 users, and the results show that both the external variables of perceived interactivity and perceived personalization are prerequisite factors in extending the TAM model. The findings reveal that the usability is the strongest predictor of firefighters’ behavioral intentions to use the AR system, followed by the ease of use with smaller, yet meaningful, direct and indirect effects on firefighters’ intentions. The identified acceptance factors help AR developers enhance the firefighters’ experience in training operations. Full article

This paper presents an entirely new approach to the use of virtual reality (VR) in the educational process for the needs of Industry 4.0. It is based on the proposed comprehensive methodology, including the design, creation, implementation and evaluation of individual courses implemented in a VR environment. An essential feature of the new methodology is its universality and comprehensiveness. Thanks to that, it can be applied in such areas as higher education, aviation, automotive, shipbuilding, energy and many others. The paper also identifies the significant advantages and disadvantages of VR-based education that may determine its use scope and profile. In addition, on the basis of the proposed methodology, a model of a training station using VR technology has been developed to enable the realization of training classes in the field of firefighting activities that should be undertaken during the hazard arising from the operation of a numerically controlled production machine. Results of the conducted training using this station were also presented. The study showed the potential of training based on a virtual environment to improve participants’ skills and knowledge. The development and implementation of adequate courses in the VR environment can reduce costs and increase the safety and efficiency of employees’ performed activities. Full article