@article {BF-3488,
	title = {Muscle activation during the Pack Hike test and a critical wildfire fighting task},
	journal = {Applied Ergonomics},
	volume = {44},
	year = {2013},
	month = {2013},
	abstract = {The aim of this study was to examine the muscle activation of six global muscles during the successful completion of the Pack Hike test (PHT) and compare this to muscle activations during a critical wildfire fighting task. In-field surface electromyography was recorded from eight male wildfire fighters during the PHT and the rakehoe task {\textendash} a critical wildfire suppression activity. All participants successfully completed the PHT within the 45-min time limit. No significant changes in peak muscle activation levels as well as no significant shifts in median frequency in the six muscle analysed were recorded during the 4.83-km hike. Significantly different peak muscle activation levels were recorded in four of the six muscles tested when the PHT was compared to the rakehoe task. These results suggest the PHT should not be administered in isolation and other tests that specifically challenge upper body muscle endurance should be incorporated into a battery that accurately assesses the job-specific fitness of wildfire fighters.
Highlights

► Muscle activity during the Pack Hike test (PHT) and a critical wildfire suppression task were compared. ► No muscle fatigue was detected during the PHT. ► Different muscle activation patterns between the tasks were recorded. ► The PHT may not adequately challenge upper body muscular endurance.},
	issn = {00036870},
	doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2012.08.003},
	author = {Kevin Netto and Cara Lord and Aaron Petersen and Spelt Janssen, James and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett}
}
@article {bnh-1792,
	title = {Tympanic Temperature to Predict Core Temperatures of Firefighters Report},
	year = {2013},
	abstract = {<p><span>This study examined the validity of tympanic temperature measurements as a predictor of core temperature on the fireground in different environmental conditions. Fifty-one volunteer firefighters participated in the study across four different conditions, the conditions consisted of; 1) passive (i.e., no intervention) cooling in cold ambient temperatures (0-6{\textdegree}C); 2) cooling (through water immersion) in cool ambient temperatures (10-12{\textordmasculine}C); 3) cooling (through water immersion) in warm ambient temperatures (21.5{\textdegree}C); and, 4) passive cooling in warm ambient temperatures (22{\textdegree}C). Firefighters wore full structural personal protective clothing while performing common firefighting duties including search and rescue tasks for 20-40 minutes. There was no difference between core and tympanic temperature immediately post-exercise across any condition. However, for all conditions, tympanic temperature dropped significantly faster than core temperature from 0 minutes, and remained significantly lower (p \&lt; 0.05) than core temperature from nine to 20 minutes post-training. The results show that there is no consistent difference between core and tympanic temperature during recovery from a simulated firefighting task across a range of different ambient conditions. Agencies should, accordingly, prioritize investigating other practical markers of core temperature as part of a broader heat stress management plan for firefighters.</span></p>},
	isbn = {978-0-9806759-6-2},
	author = {Larsen, Brianna and Peter Langridge and Anna Ruzic and Cara Lord and Brad Aisbett}
}
@article {BF-3097,
	title = {Identification of physically demanding tasks performed during bushfire suppression by Australian rural firefighters},
	journal = {Applied Ergonomics},
	volume = {43},
	year = {2012},
	month = {3/2012},
	pages = {435 - 441},
	abstract = {Purpose

To identify and characterize the physically demanding tasks undertaken during multi-day wildfire (known as bushfire in Australia) suppression by Australian rural firefighters.
Methods

During semi-structured group interviews, thirty-one experienced male firefighters reviewed 53 firefighting tasks that could be performed during tanker-based bushfire suppression. Participants were asked to nominate the most physically demanding tasks and then define their typical frequencies, durations, operational importance and the dominant actions and activity types in each task.
Results

Seven tasks were identified as physically demanding. They were further categorized into three hose and four handtool (e.g., rakehoe) related activities. These tasks were assessed as moderately important to critical and were thought to occur less than one up to 700 times in a four-month bushfire {\textquoteleft}season{\textquoteright}. Each task{\textquoteright}s duration was estimated to last approximately 2{\textendash}30 min depending on the task. Dominant actions were carry, drag, dig/rake actions in seven, three and four of the demanding tasks, respectively. {\textquoteleft}Strength-endurance{\textquoteright} was the dominant activity type for five of the seven tasks.
Conclusion

Seven fireground tasks, three using a hose and four using handtools were classified as physically demanding by incumbent firefighters. The combination of hose and handtool work indicates that the tanker-based bushfire suppression tactics used by Australian rural firefighters appears to be a hybrid of structural and wildfire firefighting techniques and may require a dedicated physiological analyses before the job demands for these firefighters can be quantified.},
	doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2011.06.018},
	author = {Phillips, Matthew and Payne, W and Cara Lord and Kevin Netto and Nichols, David and Brad Aisbett}
}
@article {BF-3143,
	title = {Validating {\textquoteleft}fit for duty{\textquoteright} tests for Australian volunteer fire fighters suppressing bushfires},
	journal = {Applied Ergonomics},
	volume = {43},
	year = {2012},
	month = {1/2012},
	pages = {191 - 197},
	abstract = {Introduction
This study compared fire fighter{\textquoteright}s work-rates and performance between the Pack Hike Test (PHT), Field Walk Test (FWT) and critical bushfire suppression tasks.
Methods
Nineteen volunteer fire fighters undertook the PHT, whilst a further 11 also performed the FWT. All 30 fire fighters completed four critical tasks. Physical, physiological and subjective ratings were measured during tasks and tests.
Results
Peak and mean heart rate during the Hose Drag was lower than during the FWT. Mean velocities for the PHT and FWT were higher than in all tasks except Hose Drag. Finishing times in the PHT and FWT were strongly correlated with finishing times for three and four of the critical tasks.
Conclusions
The PHT and FWT may be valid fit for duty tests for Australian rural fire fighters though the clear differences between the tests and some tasks may prompt fire agencies to consider other tests that more accurately simulate bushfire suppression work.},
	issn = {00036870},
	doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2011.05.003},
	author = {Cara Lord and Kevin Netto and Aaron Petersen and Nichols, David and Drain, Jace and Phillips, Matthew and Brad Aisbett}
}
@proceedings {BF-3049,
	title = {Design of a valid simulation for researching physical, physiological and cognitive performance in volunteer firefighters during bushfire deployment.},
	year = {2011},
	publisher = {R.P. Thornton (Ed) 2011, {\textquoteleft}Proceedings of Bushfire CRC \& AFAC 2010 Conference Science Day{\textquoteright} 1 September 2011, Sydney Australia, Bushfire CRC},
	address = {Sydney, Australia},
	issn = {978-0-9806759-9-3},
	author = {Susan Ferguson and Brad Aisbett and Sarah M Jay and Katrina Onus and Cara Lord and Sprajcer, M. and Matthew JW Thomas}
}
@proceedings {BF-3050,
	title = {Frequency, intensity and duration of physical tasks performed by Australian rural firefighters during bushfire suppression},
	year = {2011},
	month = {2011},
	publisher = {Bushfire CRC},
	address = {Sydney, Australia},
	issn = {978-0-9806759-9-3},
	url = {http://www.bushfirecrc.com/resources/pages-205-213-quantitative-task-analyses-bushfire-suppression},
	author = {Phillips, Matthew and Kevin Netto and Payne, W and Cara Lord and Neil Brooksbank and Katrina Onus and Sarah Jefferies and Brad Aisbett}
}
