Search Results (64)

Fire trucks equipped with truck-mounted electric water cannons are key mobile firefighting assets for urban and industrial fire response. However, due to the inherent mechanical inertia of the cannon body, its low-frequency motion response cannot match high-frequency control commands, making the system prone to oscillations and control instability. To address this command–execution frequency mismatch, this paper proposes a decoupled dual closed-loop control architecture for truck-mounted electric water cannons on mobile fire trucks: the fast loop is used for fire-source tracking and rapid localization, while the slow loop is used for water-jet aiming alignment. In the fast loop, a 2-D quadrant positioning rule drives the pan–tilt unit to achieve rapid fire tracking and accurate centering. In the slow loop, Kalman-filter-based state estimation and delay-aligned prediction generate feedforward aiming commands; these commands are fused with error feedback and further processed through command limiting and trajectory optimization, ultimately producing smooth and executable angle references. The visual perception module ran at 58 FPS, satisfying the real-time requirement of the proposed system. In five repeated extinguishment tests under controlled open-site conditions, the proposed method successfully completed all trials and reduced the mean extinguishment time to 13.55 s, compared with 15.83 s for the incremental-PID baseline and 23.76 s for the coupled proportional baseline, while also showing smoother correction and less redundant oscillation. Full article

Type IV composite overwrapped pressure vessels—characterized by a polymer liner fully wrapped in fiber-reinforced polymer—are emerging as lightweight, corrosion-proof alternatives to traditional metal cylinders in fire safety applications. This paper presents a comprehensive review of Type IV high-pressure vessels used in portable fire extinguishers and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) systems. We outline recent material innovations for both the non-metallic liners and composite shells, including multilayer liner designs (e.g., high-barrier polymers and nanocomposites) and advanced fiber/resin systems. Key manufacturing developments such as automated filament winding, resin infusion, and in-line non-destructive testing are discussed. Technical performance in fire applications is critically examined: current standards and certification requirements (EU and international), typical design pressures (e.g., 300 bar in SCBA) and safety factors, common failure modes (liner collapse, fiber rupture, etc.), inspection protocols, and a comparison with Type IV hydrogen storage cylinders. Market trends are also reviewed, highlighting the major manufacturers and the growing adoption of composite extinguishers (e.g., 20-year service-life composite units) versus conventional steel. The review draws on 7–10 peer-reviewed studies to analyze the state of the art, finding that Type IV vessels offer significant weight reduction (>30%) and corrosion resistance at the cost of more complex design and certification. In firefighting use, these cylinders demonstrably improve firefighter mobility and reduce maintenance, while meeting rigorous safety standards. Remaining challenges include further improving liner permeability barriers to prevent gas leakage or collapse, understanding long-term composite aging under cyclic loads, and optimizing fire resistance. Overall, Type IV composite pressure vessels represent a major innovation in fire suppression technology, enabling safer and more efficient extinguishing equipment. Future research and standardization efforts are recommended to fully realize their benefits in fire protection. Full article

The accurate acquisition and real-time calculation of the attitude angle of precision firefighting extinguishing projectiles are essential for ensuring stable flight and precise extinguishing agent release. However, measuring the roll attitude angle in such projectiles is challenging due to their highly dynamic nature and environmental disturbances such as fire smoke, high temperature, and electromagnetic interference. Traditional methods for measuring attitude angles rely on multi-sensor fusion schemes, which suffer from complex structure and high cost. This paper proposes a single-gyro attitude calculation method based on micro-electromechanical inertial measurement units (MIMUs). This method integrates Fourier transform time-frequency analysis with a second-order Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) bandpass filtering algorithm optimized by dynamic coefficients. Unlike conventional fixed-coefficient filters, the proposed algorithm adaptively updates filter parameters according to instantaneous roll angular velocity, thereby maintaining tracking capability under time-varying conditions. This theoretical contribution provides a general framework for adaptive frequency-tracking filtering, beyond the specific engineering case of firefighting projectiles. Through joint time-frequency domain processing, it achieves high-precision dynamic decoupling of the roll angle, eliminating the dependency on external sensors (e.g., radar/GPS) inherent in conventional systems. This approach drastically reduces system complexity and provides key technical support for low-cost and high-reliability firefighting projectile attitude control. The research contributes to enhancing the effectiveness of urban firefighting, forest fire suppression, and public safety emergency response. Full article

With the increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires driven by climate change and human activities, efficient detection and rapid response have become critical for forest fire prevention. Effective fire detection, swift response, and timely rescue are vital for forest firefighting efforts. This paper proposes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based forest fire inspection system that integrates a ground support system (GSS), aiming to enhance automation and flexibility in inspection tasks. A three-layer mixed-integer linear programming model is developed: the first layer focuses on the site selection and capacity planning of the GSS; the second layer defines the coverage scope of different GSS units; and the third layer plans the inspection routes of UAVs and coordinates multi-UAV collaborative tasks. For planning UAV patrol routes and collaborative tasks, a goal-driven greedy algorithm (GDGA) based on traditional greedy methods is proposed. Simulation experiments based on a real forest fire case in Turkey demonstrate that the proposed model reduces the total annual costs by 28.1% and 16.1% compared to task-only and renewable-only models, respectively, with a renewable energy penetration rate of 68.71%. The goal-driven greedy algorithm also shortens UAV patrol distances by 7.0% to 12.5% across different rotation angles. These results validate the effectiveness of the integrated model in improving inspection efficiency and economic benefits, thereby providing critical support for forest fire prevention. Full article

Volunteer firefighters often have lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and less access to health monitoring and fitness programs than career firefighters, yet few studies explore how individual and departmental factors influence their CRF. This study assessed associations between CRF and both firefighter-level (e.g., years of service, firefighting calls, and firefighter rank) and department-level (e.g., department characteristics and fitness infrastructure) factors among volunteer firefighters. Surveys were administered to United States volunteer firefighters and departments, capturing CRF and related characteristics. CRF was analyzed as both a continuous and categorical variable (≤8, >8–<10, 10–<12, ≥12 METs) using bivariate analyses and mixed effects linear and logistic regression. Among 569 incumbent volunteer firefighters from 41 departments, 79.9% did not meet the recommended 12 METs threshold. Only 56.8% of departments provided routine physical exams; 35.1% had a wellness coordinator or committee; and 40.5% offered fitness resources. More years of service were associated with lower CRF and reduced odds of meeting the 12 METs benchmark, while more frequent training and responding to more calls were associated with better CRF. These findings highlight individual and structural challenges for CRF in volunteer fire service, underscoring the need for targeted fitness support to protect firefighter health and community safety. Full article

Applicable recommendations play a key role in improving training and procedures used in civil protection. Since 1 January 2025, the Law on Civil Protection and Civil Defense has been in force in Poland. It responds to the experience of current threats, including the war in Ukraine, the 2024 floods in Western Poland, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other crises. The Act systemically regulates the problem of building social resilience, which must be developed and applied regarding today’s modern threats. The primary actor in civil protection is the fire brigade system, in which volunteer firefighters are recruited from local communities and act for their benefit. In this context, it is interesting to ask whether and what solutions should be applied in order to improve the effectiveness of the training and exercise system of volunteer fire brigades (TSOs) in the field of civil protection and crisis management. The aim of this investigation was to develop evaluations and applicable recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the training system for volunteer firefighters based on a survey of volunteer firefighters in the Cracow Poviat. Two survey diagnostic techniques were used: expert interviews and questionnaire research. The findings were compared with the results of an analysis of source documents obtained in TSO units. The expert interviews covered all chief fire officers of the municipalities in the Cracow Poviat. The paper begins with an introduction and a systematic literature review. The conclusions consist of the proposal of applicable changes in the scope of basic, specialist, and additional training. Areas of missing training are also identified. The firefighters’ knowledge of crisis management procedures is verified, deficiencies are identified, and applicable changes in the organization of field exercises are proposed. Full article

In recent years, large-scale wildfires have become a serious threat to terrestrial ecosystems and people in the Chiquitania region of Bolivia. Understanding public perceptions is fundamental to designing comprehensive and effective wildfire management strategies. The objectives of the study were to learn perception on the main causes of wildfires, to understand their perceptions of the impacts of these events, and to explore the most viable solutions to preventing future wildfires in the Chiquitania region of Bolivia. We developed a 15-questions online survey and disseminated it through social media platforms, mobile messaging service groups, and at two workshops held in two locations. A total of 597 people participated in the survey with a balanced sex distribution. The participants were mainly young people aged 18–24 (45.40%) and 25–34 (21.40%), representing university students (42.6%) and professionals (42.6%). The data came from seven departments, but Santa Cruz was more strongly represented (75.9%). In addition, although only 65% considered themselves part of the general population, the data shows that 76% had personal experience of wildfires. Respondents indicated that fires were caused by human activities (95.9%), mainly due to traditional agricultural practices. The most important perceived impacts included landscape and vegetation quality, fauna habitat and ecosystem regeneration. In addition, participants have prioritized the reinforcement of patrols and surveillance, the hiring of forest firefighters and the purchase of aerial firefighting units. For prevention, the most chosen was to change policies that promote fires, changing the vision for economic development and stricter penalties. The findings can be used to formulate public policies aimed at preventing wildfires, mitigating their impacts and promoting environmental conservation. Full article

Wildfire activity in the western United States has been on the rise since the mid-1980s, with longer, higher-risk fire seasons projected for the future. Prescribed burning mitigates the risk of extreme wildfire events, but such treatments are currently underutilized. Fire managers have cited lack of firefighter availability as a key barrier to prescribed burning. We use both principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regression modeling methodologies to investigate whether or not (and if yes, under what conditions) personnel shortages on a given day are associated with lower odds of a prescribed burn occurring in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. We utilize the logit model to further assess how personnel availability compares to other potential barriers (e.g., meteorological conditions) in terms of association with odds of a prescribed burn occurring. Our analysis finds that fall and spring days in general have distinct constellations of characteristics. Unavailability of personnel is associated with lower odds of prescribed burning in the fall season, controlling for meteorological conditions. However, in the spring, only fuel moisture is observed to be associated with the odds of prescribed burning. Our findings suggest that if agencies aim to increase prescribed burning to mitigate wildfire risk, workforce decisions should prioritize firefighter availability in the fall. Full article

Wildfires, a natural part of the wildland life cycle, are experiencing a decades-long trend of increased frequency, duration, and magnitude, resulting in increased risk of fatalities and property damage. Fire suppression methods are adapting accordingly, including the increased use of aerial firefighting. Aerial firefighting, conducted in coordination with ground crews, provides real-time reconnaissance of a wildfire and performs strategic drops of retardant to contain and/or suppress the fire. These flight operations require airport and air traffic control infrastructure. The purpose of this report is to provide statistics on the U.S. aerial firefighting fleet, flight operations, and airport utilization and equipment in 2024. This information, which is not readily available, may be of use to airport planners, air navigation service providers, and policy makers. Thirty-four (34) Very Large/Large Air Tankers (VLAT/LATs) were under contract with the United States Forest Service (USFS) Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOCs) in 2024. The aircraft, ranging in age from 27 to 57 years, performed 11,219 retardant drop and reposition flights. Flights operated on 88% of the days with an average of 35 flights per day and a maximum of 200 flights per day. The number of flights per aircraft across the fleet was not uniform (average 288 flights, max 465 flights). Consistent with firefighting practices, the flights operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), mostly in the afternoons, with an average retardant drop flight duration of 34 min. Two hundred and seven (207) airports supported at least one departure, with 14 airports supporting 50% of the departures. Eighty-six (86%) percent of the airports were towered and 84% had precision approach procedures. All but two military airports were public airports that are part of the National Plan for Integrated Airport System (NPIAS) and eligible for Airport Improvement Plan (AIP) funding. Runway length and weight bearing are limitations at several airports. Furthermore, operations are no longer limited to airports west of the Rockies, with increased operations in the mid-west and east coast. Full article

Firefighters across the world face higher risks of occupational hazards, such as exposure to chemicals, extreme heat, traumatic stressors, and intense physical demands, which can increase their vulnerability to a range of psychological and physiological difficulties. These challenges include the risk of developing chronic stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), potentially leading to detrimental negative coping patterns such as alcohol abuse. The consequent health implications impact both short-term and long-term health and well-being. This study aimed to explore the relationship between mental health status, alcohol consumption patterns, and gut microbiome alterations in firefighters from two different regions—America and Korea. By investigating these relationships, we hope to gain insights into how repeated exposure to severe stressors impacts gut health. Healthy male firefighters (ages 21–50) and controls (matched sex, geography, and age) were recruited via flyers and snowball sampling in the United States and South Korea, resulting in 203 participants (102 firefighters and 101 controls). Firefighters reported significantly higher PTSD symptoms and depression and drank 2.3 times more alcohol than the control group. American firefighters reported more drinking than Koreans. There was a significant correlation between higher alcohol consumption and the likelihood of witnessing deaths by suicide. However, there were no correlations between alcohol consumption and PTSD symptom severity. There were associations between alcohol consumption patterns and aspects of the gut microbiome. This study highlights the mental health challenges faced by firefighters, including elevated rates of PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption, with specific microbial imbalances linked to PTSD and alcohol use, emphasizing the role of the gut–brain axis. Full article

Objective: Exposure of emergency service personnel to disasters can lead to significant mental health challenges. The psychological impact of intentionally caused disasters, such as terrorist attacks, tends to be more severe than that of natural disasters. While much research has focused on terrorist attacks, little is known about the effects of intentional vehicular assaults (IVAs). This study examines the impact of an IVA on the mental health of firefighters. We hypothesized that firefighters deployed to the scene (deployed group (DG)) would experience more mental health problems compared to those not on duty (comparison group (CG)). Methods: The study included n = 115 firefighters, with 60 in the DG and 55 in the CG from the same units. Validated psychometric tools were used to assess anxiety, panic attacks (PHQ-D), and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PCL-5). Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained. The study received approval from the Charité Berlin Ethics Committee (number: EA4/085/18). Results: A significantly higher prevalence of panic attacks was found in the DG (12.5%) compared to the CG (1.8%), with an odds ratio of 8.0 (95% CI: 1.0–67.3). Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between non-occupational tasks and hostility (r = 0.312, p = 0.015, n = 60), while parenthood had no significant effect on panic attacks or generalized anxiety. Conclusion: These results highlight the severe mental health impact of intentional disasters like IVAs on firefighters, emphasizing the need for targeted psychological support and interventions. Future research should focus on tailored interventions to address the high prevalence of panic attacks among this population. Full article

Background/Objectives: Firefighters have an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thus, it is vital to determine areas of health associated with the development of CVD that need improvement in the firefighter population, such as circulating lipids and arterial stiffness. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential relationship of lipid and lipoprotein metrics with measures of arterial stiffness in full-time firefighters in the southeastern United States. Methods: Twenty male full-time firefighters underwent a fasted blood draw to assess circulating lipids. Resting arterial stiffness was then assessed via pulse wave velocity (PWV) using an aortic measure. To determine the linear relationships between arterial stiffness and lipid measures of interest, a series of bivariate correlations were conducted as appropriate. The outcome variable was PWV measured continuously in m/s. The predictor variables were total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) measured in mg/dL. All analyses were carried out using SPSS version 29 (α = 0.05). Results: TG levels were positively and moderately correlated with PWV (r_s = 0.497, p = 0.026). No other significant relationships were detected between PWV and the remaining variables TC (r_s = 0.104, p = 0.664), HDL-C (r_s = −0.328, p = 0.158), LDL-C (r_s = 0.184, p = 0.436), or sdLDL-C (r_s = 0.330, p = 0.155). Conclusion: Higher TG levels are associated with higher PWV and thus, arterial stiffness. Management of circulating TG may be an important consideration in maximizing arterial health and minimizing CVD risk. Full article

Background: Rescue service interventions for patients with behavioral disorders are quite common. The aim of this study is to analyze interventions of Polish State Fire Service units in incidents involving health threats to victims with behavioral disorders. Materials and Methods: This study used data from the Decision Support System of the State Fire Service. Events in the period of 1 January 2020 at 00.00–31 December 2022 at 23:59 were used for analysis. Results: In the 2020–2022 period, firefighters were dispatched 321 times to interventions concerning injured individuals with behavioral disorders. Isolated emergency medical incidents most often concerned mental disorders (23%) and least often concerned suicide attempts (8%) (p = 0.033). It was shown that the duration of the intervention (emergency care time) was significantly longer in the case of interventions related to the autumn period (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results describe parameters associated with behavioral health responses within the Polish fire service. Full article

Experimental studies on the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to extinguish high-repeatability transmission line wildfires are not available. In this study, a scheme involving a UAV releasing a fire-extinguishing bomb at a high altitude for firefighting was proposed, and a simulated fire-extinguishing experimental platform was constructed to simulate a UAV releasing a fire-extinguishing bomb. In addition, the characteristics of water-based fire-extinguishing bombs of 5, 10, 20, and 50 kg as well as dry powder bombs of 25, 30, and 50 kg were investigated by changing parameters such as the type and mass of the fire-extinguishing agent carried by the bombs. It was noted that a 30 kg or more dry powder fire-extinguishing bomb could extinguish a fire in four 1A cribs at one time. The diffusion area of the fire-extinguishing medium was obtained from the perspective of the UAV. The diffusion area was 45–90 m² for the water-based fire-extinguishing bomb and 130–700 m² for the dry powder bomb. As calculated from the area of the fire scene extinguished by each fire-extinguishing bomb per unit mass, the utilization rate of a fire-extinguishing medium was highest with the 30 kg fire-extinguishing bomb, followed by the 50 kg bomb. In the high wildfire incidence period during the Qingming Festival in 2024, a UAV was used to release fire-extinguishing bombs to extinguish an incipient wildfire near a transmission line at a Hunan Power Grid site. Full article

The presented study deals with the effectiveness of sorbents in the equipment of firefighting units in Slovakia. Currently, there are many manufacturers of sorbents on the market and also a number of types of these products. As a result of an emergency on the road, especially in the case of traffic accidents, there can be a leakage of dangerous substances. From this point of view, it is necessary to prevent the dangerous substance escaping into the environment as quickly as possible and to choose a suitable sorption material to prevent the leakage. For the stated reasons, the aim of the submitted paper was to research the effectiveness of sorbents used by fire brigades in the Slovak Republic in traffic accidents. Part of the publication is on the specification of sorbents, and as part of the research there is an evaluation of their composition and a description, and according to the method and the successive laboratory tests, the operating fluid that is applied to the selected sorbents. After the test and the resulting values, the initial and absorbed weight of the sorbents were determined. The sorption capacity and absorbency were determined from the resulting values. The time factor and the ability to remove adsorbed sorbents from solid surfaces was evaluated after visualizing the process and the final result. The resulting values were unified and compared with other sorbents, where their suitability for the purposes of firefighting units in practice was determined. Full article