Showing items 1 - 5 of 5

'No less than a palace' : Kew Asylum, its planned surrounds, and its present-day residents

- Reeves, Keir, Nichols, David

  • Authors: Reeves, Keir , Nichols, David
  • Date: 2009
  • Type: Text , Book chapter
  • Relation: Places of pain and shame : Dealing with "Difficult Heritage" p. 247-262
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  • Description: This chapter's objective is to move beyond standard understandings of places of pain and shame in the existing body of literature. It introduces a multidisciplinary heritage approach, focusing on the Kew Lunatic Asylum in Melbourne. This vast, impressive and prominent building highlights the level of government and public focus on benevolence, and benevolent incarceration, prevalent in Victorian era colonial society. When it opened, the Kew Asylum was among the largest such complexes in the world, its creators aspiring to bring forth a model institution that was not only an exemplar of colonial Victorian society but also of the British Empire.

Pack Hike Test finishing time for Australian firefighters : Pass rates and correlates of performance

- Phillips, Matthew, Petersen, Aaron, Abbiss, Chris, Netto, Kevin, Payne, Warren, Nichols, David, Aisbett, Brad

  • Authors: Phillips, Matthew , Petersen, Aaron , Abbiss, Chris , Netto, Kevin , Payne, Warren , Nichols, David , Aisbett, Brad
  • Date: 2011
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Applied Ergonomics Vol. 42, no. 3 (2011), p. 411-418
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  • Description: The pack hike test (PHT, 4.83 km hike wearing a 20.4-kg load) was devised to determine the job readiness of USA wildland firefighters. This study measured PHT performance in a sample of Australian firefighters who currently perform the PHT (career land management firefighters, LMFF) and those who do not (suburban/regional volunteer firefighters, VFF). The study also investigated the relationships between firefighters' PHT performance and their performance across a range of fitness tests for both groups. Twenty LMFF and eighteen age-, body mass-, and height-matched VFF attempted the PHT, and a series of muscular endurance, power, strength and cardiorespiratory fitness tests. Bivariate correlations between the participants' PHT finishing time and their performance in a suite of different fitness tests were determined using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient. The mean PHT finishing time for LMFF (42.2 ± 2.8 min) was 9 ± 14% faster (p = 0.001) than for VFF (46.1 ± 3.6 min). The pass rate (the percentage of participants who completed the PHT in under 45 min) for LMFF (90%) was greater than that of VFF (39%, p = 0.001). For LMFF, VO2peak in L min-1(r = -0.66, p = 0.001) and the duration they could sustain a grip 'force' of 25 kg (r = -0.69, p = 0.001) were strongly correlated with PHT finishing time. For VFF, VO2peak in mL kg-1 min-1(r = -0.75, p = 0.002) and the duration they could hold a 1.2-m bar attached to 45.5 kg in a 'hose spray position' (r = -0.69, p = 0.004) were strongly correlated with PHT finishing time. This study shows that PHT fitness-screening could severely limit the number of VFF eligible for duty, compromising workforce numbers and highlights the need for specific and valid firefighter fitness standards. The results also demonstrate the strong relationships between PHT performance and firefighters' cardiorespiratory fitness and local muscular endurance. Those preparing for the PHT should focus their training on these fitness components in the weeks and months prior to undertaking the PHT. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society.

Pre-shift fluid intake : Effect on physiology, work and drinking during emergency wildfire fighting

- Raines, Jenni, Snow, Rodney, Petersen, Aaron, Harvey, Jack, Nichols, David, Aisbett, Brad

  • Authors: Raines, Jenni , Snow, Rodney , Petersen, Aaron , Harvey, Jack , Nichols, David , Aisbett, Brad
  • Date: 2011
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Applied Ergonomics Vol.43, no.3 (2011), p.532-540
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  • Description: Wildfire fighters are known to report to work in a hypohydrated state, which may compromise their work performance and health. Purpose: To evaluate whether ingesting a bolus of fluid before the shift had any effect on firefighters' fluid consumption, core temperature, or the time they spent in high heart rate and work activity zones when fighting emergency wildfires. Methods: Thirty-two firefighters were divided into non-bolus (AD) and pre-shift drinking bolus (PS, 500 ml water) groups. Results: Firefighters began work hypohydrated as indicated by urine colour, specific gravity and plasma osmolality (Posm) results. Post-shift, firefighters were classified as euhydrated according to Posm and hypohydrated by urinary markers. No significant differences existed between the drinking groups in pre- or post-shift hydration status, total fluid intake, activity, heart rate or core temperature. Conclusion: Consuming a bolus of fluid, pre-shift provided no benefit over non-consumption as both groups had consumed equivalent ad libitum volumes of fluid, 2.5 h into the shift. No benefits of bolus consumption were observed in firefighter activity, heart rate response or core temperature response across the shift in the mild weather conditions experienced. Ad libitum drinking was adequate to facilitate rehydration in firefighters upon completion of their emergency firefighting work shift. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society.

The effect of prescribed fluid consumption on physiology and work behavior of wildfire fighters

- Raines, Jenni, Snow, Rodney, Petersen, Aaron, Harvey, Jack, Nichols, David, Aisbett, Brad

  • Authors: Raines, Jenni , Snow, Rodney , Petersen, Aaron , Harvey, Jack , Nichols, David , Aisbett, Brad
  • Date: 2013
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Applied Ergonomics Vol. 44, no. 3 (2013), p. 404-413
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  • Description: The purpose of this study was to examine 1) wildfire fighters' ability to consume the prescribed fluid volume (1200 mL h-1), 2) the effect of fluid intake on plasma sodium and hydration, and 3) the effect of fluid intake on firefighters' heart rate, core temperature and activity during emergency suppression shifts. Methods: Thirty-four firefighters were divided into ad libitum (AD, n = 17) and prescribed (PR, n = 17) drinking groups. Results: PR drinkers did not meet the prescribed fluid target, yet consumed over double the volume of AD drinkers. No differences between groups in plasma sodium or hydration were noted. PR drinking resulted in lower core temperature between 2 and 6 h. This did not coincide with reduced cardiovascular strain, greater work activity or larger distances covered when compared to AD drinkers. Conclusion: Extra fluid consumption (above AD) did not improve firefighter activity or physiological function (though PR firefighters core temperature was lower earlier in their shift). Firefighter can self-regulate their fluid consumption behavior and work rate to leave the fireground euhydrated. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society.

Validity and relevance of the pack hike wildland firefighter work capacity test : A review

- Petersen, Aaron, Payne, Warren, Phillips, Matthew, Netto, Kevin, Nichols, David, Aisbett, Brad

  • Authors: Petersen, Aaron , Payne, Warren , Phillips, Matthew , Netto, Kevin , Nichols, David , Aisbett, Brad
  • Date: 2010
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Ergonomics Vol. 53, no. 10 (2010), p. 1276-1285
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  • Description: Fighting wildland fire is a physically demanding occupation. Wildland firefighters need to be physically fit to work safely and productively. To determine whether personnel are fit for duty, many firefighting agencies employ physical competency tests, such as the pack hike test (PHT). The PHT involves a 4.83-km hike over level terrain carrying a 20.4-kg pack within a 45-min period. The PHT was devised to test the job readiness of US wildland firefighters but is also currently used by some fire agencies in Australia and Canada. This review discusses the history and development of the PHT with emphasis on the process of test validation. Research-based training advice for the PHT is given, as well as discussion of the risks associated with completing the PHT. Different versions and modifications to the PHT have emerged in recent years and these are discussed with regard to their validity. Finally, this review addresses the relevance and validity of the PHT for Australian and Canadian wildland firefighters. Statement of Relevance: This paper reviews the history, development and validity of the PHT, an internationally recognised and utilised wildland firefighter work capacity test. It is concluded that while the PHT has general content validity for US wildland firefighters, verification of its reliability, criterion and construct validity is still needed.
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