Firefighter Dies in Training Maryland recruit firefighter Andrew Waybright collapsed during a training exercise in extreme heat. Click for details Maryland recruit firefighter Andrew Waybright collapsed during a training exercise in extreme heat. Click for details Click for details Click for details Academy personnel dismissed seriousness figuring that the recruit was just “played out” Academy personnel dismissed seriousness figuring that the recruit was just “played out” First aid was not provided to the recruit until it was too late. First aid was not provided to the recruit until it was too late. He was pronounced dead at hospital - temperature was 107.4°F He was pronounced dead at hospital - temperature was 107.4°F

Lack of Planning and Preparation Contribute to Tragedy Training Officer alleged to be “an untrained leader, for failing to provide hydration, failure to provide basic first aid, and failure to inform recruits of the exercise session”. Training Officer alleged to be “an untrained leader, for failing to provide hydration, failure to provide basic first aid, and failure to inform recruits of the exercise session”. Failed to meet duty “to provide training exercises in a reasonable and safe manner such that they did not endanger the health of the recruits”. Failed to meet duty “to provide training exercises in a reasonable and safe manner such that they did not endanger the health of the recruits”. Waybright’s parents suing for $1 million Waybright’s parents suing for $1 million

This tragic incident was completely preventable. This tragic incident was completely preventable. In a training environment, everything can and should be controlled. In a training environment, everything can and should be controlled. Emergency calls cannot be planned, and often, the scene conditions are out of control. Emergency calls cannot be planned, and often, the scene conditions are out of control. We must prepare ourselves in advance for the planned, unplanned and the uncontrolled emergency environment. We must prepare ourselves in advance for the planned, unplanned and the uncontrolled emergency environment.

Heat related illness/injury is a serious concern for firefighters in the Northwest. Heat related illness/injury is a serious concern for firefighters in the Northwest. Extreme physical demands, hot and sometimes superheated environments, heavy protective clothing, and unstructured rehabilitation all contribute. Extreme physical demands, hot and sometimes superheated environments, heavy protective clothing, and unstructured rehabilitation all contribute. Hydration level, level of fitness, pre- existing medical conditions, and medications, all affect the ability to deal with heat stress. Hydration level, level of fitness, pre- existing medical conditions, and medications, all affect the ability to deal with heat stress.

Hydration Hydration Sweating is an important cooling mechanism of the human body. Sweating is an important cooling mechanism of the human body. The rate at which people sweat is determined not only by genetics, but by hydration, state of acclimation and aerobic fitness. You can’t sweat if your body doesn’t have enough water. In order to maintain normal body function, fire fighters must pre-hydrate and replace fluid as soon as possible during or as soon as possible after exertion. The rate at which people sweat is determined not only by genetics, but by hydration, state of acclimation and aerobic fitness. You can’t sweat if your body doesn’t have enough water. In order to maintain normal body function, fire fighters must pre-hydrate and replace fluid as soon as possible during or as soon as possible after exertion.

Acclimation Acclimation Acclimation is a physiological adaptation that the human body makes with repeated exposures to heat stress during exercise. It increases our rate of sweat production and shortens the time it takes for the sweating response to start and conserves sodium. Acclimation is a physiological adaptation that the human body makes with repeated exposures to heat stress during exercise. It increases our rate of sweat production and shortens the time it takes for the sweating response to start and conserves sodium. Physical fitness can help with acclimation. Physical fitness can help with acclimation.

Fitness Fitness Regular and sustained aerobic exercise can help with acclimation. Fire fighters who maintain an adequate level of fitness will have reduced cardiovascular strain and lower core temperature for the same level of heat stress. Regular and sustained aerobic exercise can help with acclimation. Fire fighters who maintain an adequate level of fitness will have reduced cardiovascular strain and lower core temperature for the same level of heat stress. Fit fire fighters also tend to have reduced levels of body fat – and aren’t carrying extra non-functional weight. Therefore, less energy is required by a fit person to do the same job as a less-fit person. Fit fire fighters also tend to have reduced levels of body fat – and aren’t carrying extra non-functional weight. Therefore, less energy is required by a fit person to do the same job as a less-fit person.

Predisposing Conditions Predisposing Conditions Sustained exertion in the heat by unacclimatized workers. Sustained exertion in the heat by unacclimatized workers. Lack of physical fitness and/or obesity Lack of physical fitness and/or obesity Recent alcohol intake. Recent alcohol intake. Dehydration. Dehydration. Individual susceptibility. Individual susceptibility. Chronic cardiovascular disease. Chronic cardiovascular disease. Failure to replace water lost in sweat. Failure to replace water lost in sweat.

A. Heat Exhaustion A. Heat Exhaustionvs. B. Heat Stroke B. Heat Stroke For more detail go to: Log in and click on CBT 385 Environmental Emergencies

If signs or symptoms of heat illness are seen: Notify supervisor immediately Notify supervisor immediately Move patient to a cool place. Move patient to a cool place. Remove protective clothing and loosen work clothing. Remove protective clothing and loosen work clothing. Provide cool water Provide cool water Apply cool packs Apply cool packs Call Medic One if ALS indicators are present. Call Medic One if ALS indicators are present. Provide oxygen or ventilatory assistance as needed. Provide oxygen or ventilatory assistance as needed.

To maximize your chances of avoiding heat illness: Stay hydrated by drinking 8 ounces of water each hour throughout the day. Stay hydrated by drinking 8 ounces of water each hour throughout the day. Stay physically fit by performing aerobic exercise for at least 30 min. per day, 4 days per week minimum. Stay physically fit by performing aerobic exercise for at least 30 min. per day, 4 days per week minimum. Avoid alcohol consumption the day before you report to duty. Avoid alcohol consumption the day before you report to duty. Ensure optimal health by getting an annual medical examination. Ensure optimal health by getting an annual medical examination. Make appropriate rehabilitation part of all training exercises and/or emergency scene operations. Make appropriate rehabilitation part of all training exercises and/or emergency scene operations.

KFD Policy #336: REHAB AT EMERGENCY INCIDENTS AND TRAINING EXERCISES It is the responsibility of all Kent Fire Department personnel to incorporate this policy into their daily activities as needed. It is the responsibility of all Kent Fire Department personnel to incorporate this policy into their daily activities as needed. Click on the link to access the policy manual, and review policy #336 in its’ entirety. Click on the link to access the policy manual, and review policy #336 in its’ entirety. #336 Rehab at Emergency Incidents and Training Exercises #336 Rehab at Emergency Incidents and Training Exercises #336 Rehab at Emergency Incidents and Training Exercises #336 Rehab at Emergency Incidents and Training Exercises