VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

1. VERDUGOFIRE ACADEMY FIREFIGHTER REHABILITATION Robert Sepulveda, VFA Instructor VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

6. Introduction • Without rest and recovery: • Fatigue • Headaches • Gastrointestinal problems VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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 VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

8. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation • Environmental job stressors: • Adverse weather conditions • Unfamiliar locations • Smoke-filled environments VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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 VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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 VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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 VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

12. Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation • A well-rested, well-conditioned person has more endurance and can tolerate the stresses of firefighting. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

16. Other Types of IncidentsRequiring Rehabilitation • Hazardous materials incidents • Long-duration search -and -rescue activities • Large-scale training activities VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

17. Other Types of IncidentsRequiring Rehabilitation • Non-emergency events • Athletic events • Stand-by assignments VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

18. Other Types of IncidentsRequiring 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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

19. How Does Rehabilitation Work? • Six Functions: • Medical monitoring • Revitalization • Medical monitoring and treatment • Transportation • Critical incident stress management • Reassignment VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

20. Physical Assessment • Signs and symptoms of fatigue • Crew should be observed for signs of emotional stress. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

21. Revitalization • Rest • Opportunity to disengage from stressful activities and remove PPE VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

22. Revitalization • Fluid replacement • Rehydrate with water. • Restore electrolytes with diluted sports drinks. • Avoid caffeinated and sugar-rich drinks. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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 VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

24. Revitalization • Nutrition (continued) • Carbohydrates • Major source of fuel • Readily used by the body during high-intensity activities • Proteins • Used by the body to grow and repair tissues VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

27. Revitalization • Temperature stabilization • Remove turnout gear as soon as possible. • Move to climate-controlled environment. • In cold conditions, use a heated rehabilitation center. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

28. Medical Monitoring and Treatment • 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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

29. Transportation to a Hospital • Ambulance available at rehabilitation centers to: • Transport ill fire fighters • Transport injured fire fighters VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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 VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

34. Summary • Six parts of revitalization: • Medical monitoring • Revitalization • Medical monitoring and treatment • Transportation • Critical incident stress management • Reassignment VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

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. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

36. Summary • Know your limits, listen to your body, and use rehabilitation facilities. • Safety begins and ends with you. VERDUGO FIRE ACADEMY

37. Any Questions?