M1b: Occupational Exposure Profiling of Wildland Firefighters in Hazard Reduction Burn Environments

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center 

Annual wildfires pose significant risks to firefighters worldwide, including increased incidence of respiratory disease and cancer. In New South Wales, over 70,000 volunteer members of the Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) participate in prescribed hazard reduction burns (PHRB) to reduce fuel loads and mitigate the severity of future uncontrolled bushfires. During these operations, volunteers are exposed to hazardous gases, aerosols, and particulates generated within bushfire smoke.

This field study employed a combination of traditional sampling techniques and novel real-time monitoring technologies to characterise airborne exposures across operational tasks. In addition, self-reported respiratory symptoms were assessed using pre- and post-burn questionnaires to evaluate acute health effects.

Findings revealed that exposures to several airborne contaminants-including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, respirable dust, and ultrafine particles-exceeded recommended occupational exposure limits. These exposures were primarily driven by short-duration, high-concentration peaks occurring when volunteers were directly within smoke plumes.

Short-term recommendations include the implementation of an enhanced respiratory protection program, incorporating fit-tested respirators and task-specific controls. Longer-term strategies focus on engineering solutions such as clean cabin design, aimed at reducing secondary exposure following fireground operations.

S.Malone, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
B.Shelton, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
J.Hines, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

 

None 

Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring

Emergency preparedness and response

Gas and vapor detection

Real-time detection services and direct reading instruments

Risk assessment and management