Awake, smoky and hot : fighting fire without fire

An outline of the Awake, Smoky and Hot (ASH) simulation is combined with a literature review in this Fire Note. Together they present the most up-to-date research about the detrimental impacts of three key stressors – heat, smoke and sleep restriction – on the physical and mental capacities of firefighters. Where earlier research examined these stressors in isolation or various dual combinations, the ASH simulation is believed to be a world first in researching the impacts of all three stressors simultaneously. It achieves this by ‘fighting fire without the fire’ – simulating bushfire suppression activities within an indoor environment so that temperature, carbon monoxide levels and the sleeping environment can be controlled. The study is delivering credible data that can help fire agencies to better manage the health and safety of personnel during bushfire suppression. Early findings from initial ASH simulations, together with educated estimates from the available literature, suggest that firefighters performing prolonged, intermittent work while exposed to the triple combination of heat, smoke and sleep restriction may experience greater physiological exertion and impaired mental performance than when faced with the stressors in isolation or dual combinations. Shorter exposures, adequate sleep, faster task rotations and breaks may more effectively maintain fireground productivity, community safeguards and bushfire firefighters’ health and safety.