1. FIREFIGHTER REHABILITATION
VERDUGO FIRE
ACADEMY
FIREFIGHTER REHABILITATION
Robert Sepulveda, VFA Instructor
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2. Objectives Define emergency incident rehabilitation.
Describe why fire fighters need emergency incident rehabilitation.
List and describe the types of extended fire incidents where fire fighters need emergency incident rehabilitation.
Describe four other types of incidents where fire fighters would benefit from emergency incident rehabilitation.
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3. Objectives Describe the functions of a rehabilitation center.
List the four parts of revitalization.
Describe the types of fluids that are well suited for fire fighters to drink during emergency incident rehabilitation.
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4. Objectives
Describe the types of food that are well suited for fire fighters to eat during emergency incident rehabilitation.
Describe the personal responsibilities related to emergency incident rehabilitation.
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5. Introduction You must take care of yourself so you can help others.
Rehabilitate: To restore to a condition of health or to a state of useful and constructive activity.
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6. Introduction Without rest and recovery: Fatigue Headaches
Gastrointestinal problems
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7. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation
Physiological job stressors:
From sleep to full activity in seconds
Not enough time to eat or drink
Physical demands
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8. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation
Environmental job stressors:
Adverse weather conditions
Unfamiliar locations
Smoke-filled environments
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9. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Contributes to heat stress
Can weigh up to 40 lbs.
Increases energy needed to move
Traps body heat
Acts as vapor barrier
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10. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation
Dehydration
State in which fluid losses exceed intake
Fire fighter in action can lose up to 2 quarts of fluid in less than 1 hour
Fluid loss reduces strength, endurance, and mental judgment
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11. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation
Energy Consumption
During strenuous activity, the body burns carbohydrates and fats for energy.
Essential to refuel energy sources with nutritious food
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12. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation
A well-rested, well-conditioned person has more endurance and can tolerate the stresses of firefighting.
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13. Types of Incidents Affecting Fire Fighter Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation required at all incidents
Small incidents may require only water for rehydration.
Major incidents may require a full rehabilitation center.
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14. Types of Incidents Affecting Fire Fighter Rehabilitation
Structure fires
Intense heat and stressful conditions cause rapid dehydration and fatigue.
High-rise fires
Energy resources are drained quickly.
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15. Types of Incidents Affecting Fire Fighter Rehabilitation
Wildland fires
Crews need to work in shifts so their bodies can recover.
Large fires may require hundreds of fire fighters and take weeks to extinguish.
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16. Other Types of Incidents Requiring Rehabilitation
Hazardous materials incidents
Long-duration search -and -rescue activities
Large-scale training activities
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17. Other Types of Incidents Requiring Rehabilitation
Non-emergency events
Athletic events
Stand-by assignments
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18. Other Types of Incidents Requiring Rehabilitation
Nourishment and fluid replacement are essential whenever fire fighters must be ready for action.
Weather conditions
Heat causes rapid dehydration and fatigue.
High humidity reduces evaporative cooling.
Cold weather can cause hypothermia.
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19. How Does Rehabilitation Work?
Six Functions:
Medical monitoring
Revitalization
Medical monitoring and treatment
Transportation
Critical incident stress management
Reassignment
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20. Physical Assessment Signs and symptoms of fatigue
Crew should be observed for signs of emotional stress.
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21. Revitalization
Rest
Opportunity to disengage from stressful activities and remove PPE
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22. Revitalization Fluid replacement Rehydrate with water.
Restore electrolytes with diluted sports drinks.
Avoid caffeinated and sugar-rich drinks.
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23. Revitalization Nutrition Glucose needed to burn fat and release energy
Need to balance glucose levels for the body to work properly
Too low = weakness, shaking
Too high = sluggishness
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24. Revitalization Nutrition (continued) Carbohydrates Proteins
Major source of fuel
Readily used by the body during high-intensity activities
Proteins
Used by the body to grow and repair tissues
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25. Revitalization Nutrition (continued) Fats
Used for energy, insulating and protecting organs, and breaking down vitamins
Simple sugars stimulate insulin production.
Sugar consumption can lead to lower energy levels.
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26. Revitalization Nutrition (continued) During short incidents
Consume low-sugar, high-protein sports bars.
During extended incidents
Eat smaller, balanced meals that include complex carbohydrates.
Proper nutrition is part of a healthy lifestyle.
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27. Revitalization Temperature stabilization
Remove turnout gear as soon as possible.
Move to climate-controlled environment.
In cold conditions, use a heated rehabilitation center.
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28. Medical Monitoring and Treatment
Abnormal vital signs, pain, and injury necessitate further medical treatment.
Signs of illness or injury should be checked in the rehabilitation center to prevent later disruption on the fire scene.
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29. Transportation to a Hospital
Ambulance available at rehabilitation centers to:
Transport ill fire fighters
Transport injured fire fighters
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30. Critical Incident Stress Management
CISM
Confronts critical incidents, defuses them, and directs the fire fighter toward physical and emotional balance
Team members may meet with companies or individual fire fighters.
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31. Reassignment Fire fighters released to reassignment following:
Rest
Rehydration
Refueling
Rechecking that they are fit for duty
May return to the same or different tasks
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32. Personal Responsibility in Rehabilitation
“Safety Begins and Ends with You”
Take care of yourself first, your team second, others third.
Know your own limits.
Be responsible: participate in emergency incident rehabilitation.
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33. Summary
Rehabilitation centers are special designated areas where emergency personnel can rest.
Rehabilitation helps prevent injuries and illness.
Rehabilitation centers are often required at wildland fires and structure fires that are large or continue for long periods of time.
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34. Summary Six parts of revitalization: Medical monitoring Revitalization
Medical monitoring and treatment
Transportation
Critical incident stress management
Reassignment
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35. Summary Replace fluids before signs of dehydration become obvious.
Meet nutritional needs during minor incidents with low-sugar, high-protein sports bars.
During longer incidents, eat small frequent meals that contain the appropriate nutritional balance.
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36. Summary
Know your limits, listen to your body, and use rehabilitation facilities.
Safety begins and ends with you.
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37. Any Questions?