Case Study of a Fire Service Warrior: An Analysis of Musculoskeletal Risks to Firefighters
Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Liam Brennan, Senior John Kleber, Graduate
Lead Presenter's Name
Liam Brennan
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Elizabeth Blickensderfer
Abstract
Firefighters often put their lives on the line performing a vital duty as first responders. While advances in their equipment and training have better prepared them for avoiding injury in the short-term, more focus is needed on the long-term effects of different aspects of this profession. In order to identify potential areas of improvement, the following case study was performed. The subject of this case study was a retired firefighter with 17 years of experience. A Hierarchical Task Analysis was conducted to identify potential areas of interest. Two tasks were identified as potentially high risk and in need of evaluation. An extinguishment task was evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and a firefighter rescue task was evaluated using the NIOSH Lifting Equation. Final scores of both the REBA (12 and 14) and NIOSH Lifting equation (4.54 and 3.42) indicate elevated risk. Recommendations for reducing the risk of injury include reducing the total weight of necessary equipment and tools, incorporating consolidated tool designs, and developing and implementing exoskeletal fire apparatus capable of supporting Firefighter's back and legs.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Case Study of a Fire Service Warrior: An Analysis of Musculoskeletal Risks to Firefighters
Firefighters often put their lives on the line performing a vital duty as first responders. While advances in their equipment and training have better prepared them for avoiding injury in the short-term, more focus is needed on the long-term effects of different aspects of this profession. In order to identify potential areas of improvement, the following case study was performed. The subject of this case study was a retired firefighter with 17 years of experience. A Hierarchical Task Analysis was conducted to identify potential areas of interest. Two tasks were identified as potentially high risk and in need of evaluation. An extinguishment task was evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and a firefighter rescue task was evaluated using the NIOSH Lifting Equation. Final scores of both the REBA (12 and 14) and NIOSH Lifting equation (4.54 and 3.42) indicate elevated risk. Recommendations for reducing the risk of injury include reducing the total weight of necessary equipment and tools, incorporating consolidated tool designs, and developing and implementing exoskeletal fire apparatus capable of supporting Firefighter's back and legs.