- Author
-
Adams, D. R., Sr.
- Title
- Protective Ensembles for Firefighting Challenge the Balance and Stability of Firefighters. Strategic Management of Change.
- Coporate
- Kings Point Volunteer Fire Dept., Osceola County, FL
- Distribution
- FOR MORE INFORMATION on this report or to download a copy CONTACT: Website http://www.usfa.fema.gov/dhtml/fire-service/ tr_00da.cfm
- Keywords
-
fire fighters
|
fire departments
|
protective clothing
|
self contained breathing apparatus
|
literature review
- Identifiers
- demographic characteristics; Center of Gravity (COG); Base of Support (BOS)
- Abstract
- King's Point Volunteer Fire District is a rural, residential community that has recently experienced tremendous growth, as well as an increase in both emergent and non-emergent incidents. With the increase of incidents, King's Point has experienced a number of firefighters, with no apparent sensory deficits, experience slips and falls while wearing protective clothing ensembles. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the affects on a firefighter's center of gravity (COG) and balancing ability when wearing a station uniform as compared to wearing protective clothing ensembles, coupled with a self contain breathing apparatus. This project employed evaluative and historical research methods to (a) determine what deficiencies are encountered while wearing protective ensembles in order to position one's center of gravity (COG) over the base of support (BOS) in a given sensory environment, (b) determine the physiological impairments associated with the firefighter's age as it affects one's center of gravity (COG) over the base of support (BOS) in a given sensory environment, (c) determine the advantages of computer-based assessment to learn firefighters' strategies in maintaining balance, (d) determine some of the limitations and deficiencies of computer-based assessment to learn firefighters' strategies in maintaining balance, (e) determine if computer-based assessment replicates the reality of firefighters' strategies in maintaining balance, and (f) determine if computer-based assessment has an influence on firefighters learning their strategies to maintain balance.