Title: Fire Fighter Rehabilitation
1Fire Fighter Rehabilitation
2Objectives (1 of 3)
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- 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.
3Objectives (2 of 3)
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- Describe the seven functions of a rehabilitation
center. - List four parts of revitalization.
- Describe the types of fluids that are well suited
for fire fighters to drink during emergency
incident rehabilitation.
4Objectives (3 of 3)
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- Describe four other types of incidents where fire
fighters would benefit from emergency incident
rehabilitation. - 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.
5Introduction (1 of 2)
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- You must take care of yourself so you can
continue helping others. - Rehabilitate to restore to a condition of health
or to a state of useful and constructive
activity. - Even seasoned fire fighters can quickly become
fatigued.
6Introduction (2 of 2)
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- Without rest and recovery, you may experience
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Depression
- Flashbacks
- Amnesia
7Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation (1
of 5)
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- Physiological job stressors
- From sleep to full activity in seconds
- Not enough time to eat or drink
- Physical demands
- Emotional stress
- Environmental job stressors
- Adverse weather conditions
- Unfamiliar locations
- Smoke-filled environments
8Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation (2
of 5)
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- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Can weigh up to 40 lbs.
- Contributes to heat stress
- Increases energy needed to move
- Traps body heat
9Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation (3
of 5)
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- Dehydration
- State in which fluid losses are greater than
fluid intake - Can lead to shock and even death if untreated
- Body can lose up to 2 quarts of fluid in less
than 1 hour - Fluid loss reduces strength, endurance, and
mental judgment
10Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation (4
of 5)
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- Energy Consumption
- During strenuous activity, the body burns
carbohydrates and fats for energy - Essential to refuel energy sources with
nutritious food
11Factors, Cause, and Need for Rehabilitation (5
of 5)
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- A well-rested, well-conditioned person has more
endurance and can tolerate the stresses of
firefighting.
12Types of Incidents Affecting Fire Fighter
Rehabilitation (1 of 3)
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- Rehabilitation required at all incidents
- Small incidents may require only water for
rehydration. - Major incidents may require a full rehabilitation
center.
13Types of Incidents Affecting Fire Fighter
Rehabilitation (2 of 3)
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- Structure fires
- Intense heat and stressful conditions cause rapid
dehydration and fatigue. - High-rise fires
- Energy resources are drained quickly.
14Types of Incidents Affecting Fire Fighter
Rehabilitation (3 of 3)
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- 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.
15Other Types of IncidentsRequiring Rehabilitation
(1 of 3)
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- Hazardous materials incidents
- Long-duration search-and-rescue activities
- Large-scale training activities
16Other Types of IncidentsRequiring Rehabilitation
(2 of 3)
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- Non-emergency events
- Athletic events
- Stand-by assignments
17Other Types of IncidentsRequiring Rehabilitation
(3 of 3)
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- 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.
18How Does Rehabilitation Work?
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- Seven Functions
- Physical Assessment
- Revitalization
- Medical Evaluation and Treatment
- Regular Monitoring of Vital Signs
- Transportation
- Critical Incident Stress Management
- Reassignment
19Physical Assessment
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- Fire fighters vital signs should be taken.
- Signs and symptoms of fatigue indicate need for
rehabilitation. - Crew should be questioned and observed for signs
of emotional stress.
20Revitalization (1 of 7)
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- Four components of revitalization
- Rest
- Fluid replacement
- Nutrition
- Temperature stabilization
21Revitalization (2 of 7)
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- Rest
- Opportunity to disengage from stressful
activities and remove PPE - Fluid replacement
- Rehydrate with water.
- Restore electrolytes with diluted sports drinks.
- Avoid caffeinated and sugar-rich drinks.
22Revitalization (3 of 7)
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- 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
23Revitalization (4 of 7)
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- 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
24Revitalization (5 of 7)
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- 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.
25Revitalization (6 of 7)
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- 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.
26Revitalization (7 of 7)
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- Temperature stabilization
- Remove turnout gear as soon as possible.
- Remove damp clothing and replace with blankets.
- Consider using cold compresses.
- Move to climate-controlled environment.
- In cold conditions, use a heated rehabilitation
center.
27Medical Evaluation and Treatment, Monitoring of
Vital Signs
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- Medical evaluation and treatment
- Abnormal vital signs, pain, and injury
necessitate further medical treatment. - Monitoring of vital signs
- Monitor at regular intervals.
- Vital signs should return to normal before fire
fighter is reassigned.
28Transportation to a Hospital
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- Ambulance available at rehabilitation centers to
- Transport ill fire fighters
- Transport injured fire fighters
29Critical Incident Stress Management
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- 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.
30Reassignment
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- Fire fighters released to reassignment following
- Rest
- Rehydration
- Refueling
- Rechecking that they are fit for duty
- May return to the same or different tasks
31Personal Responsibility in Rehabilitation
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- 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.
32Summary (1 of 5)
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- Rehabilitation is a special designated area 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.
33Summary (2 of 5)
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- Other incidents requiring rehabilitation include
- Hazardous materials incidents
- Long-duration search and rescue activities
- Training activities and athletic events may
require rehabilitation centers. - Adverse weather conditions increase the need for
rehabilitation.
34Summary (3 of 5)
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- Seven parts of revitalization
- Physical assessment
- Revitalization
- Medical evaluation and treatment
- Monitoring of vital signs
- Transportation to a hospital
- Critical incident stress management
- Reassignment
- Revitalization is of most concern to new fire
fighters.
35Summary (4 of 5)
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- 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.
36Summary (5 of 5)
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- Know your limits, listen to your body, and use
rehabilitation facilities. - Safety begins and ends with you.