Treating first responders for heat stress
Research has shown that there are multiple effective approaches to correcting the effects of uncompensable heat stress, and that these interventions can be delivered both on small and large scales. This article outlines the key elements for heat stress mitigation, which include firefighter fitness, adequate rest, rehydration and managing body temperature.
Effective heat stress rehab for fire crews includes rest, rehydration, cooling, and providing adequate nutrition. An important first step for first responders is to report for duty well-hydrated.
The author, Dave Hostler, has served as a firefighter/paramedic and hazmat technician for more than 20 years. He is the director of the Emergency Responder Human Performance Lab at the University of Pittsburgh and the Department of Emergency Medicine professor of first responder health and safety.
Read the entire story from FIRE CHIEF, our sister publication.