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Noise Exposure Safety

 

Working in noisy environments presents daily safety challenges to wildland firefighters. Noise exposure research clearly indicates that accidents and injuries increase in noisy work environments. Additionally, did you know that hearing loss is permanent? The good news is it’s also preventable.

Those most at risk of excessive noise exposure include:

  • Sawyers/swampers
  • Heavy equipment operators
  • Helitack/helibase/airtanker base personnel 
  • Engine and pump operators
  • Masticator/chipper workers
  • Operators of weed whackers/leaf blowers/air compressors
  • Retardant mixing personnel

Noise exposure will cause:

  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Distraction
  • Miscommunication
  • Inability to hear warnings
  • Increased errors

Mitigation Techniques

  • When possible, stay as far away from the noise source as possible.
  • Limit the amount of time you are exposed to the noise.
  • Give your ears a break from the noise when possible; the quiet break will help conserve your hearing.
  • Always wear hearing protection making certain that:
    • Your hearing protection has a Noise Reduction Ratio (NRR) of at least 20 dBA (level of protection in decibels) which is listed on the package.
    • You know how to insert/use/maintain them.
    • Your ear plugs are clean.​
      • NOTE: dirty ear plugs are better than no ear plugs but grab some extras because they work better when changed often.
    • When not in use, keep your ear plugs somewhere safe and clear (preferably not your Nomex buttonhole).
6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively. On the left side of a split screen, four firefighters stand near a wildland fire, listening to a radio in the hands of one. On the right side of the screen, a supervisory firefighter talks into a handheld radio.

6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.

Remaining alert, keeping calm, thinking clearly, and acting decisively are important components of decision-making on wildland fire incidents. This Standard Firefighting Order illustrates a supervisor providing direction and establishing leader's intent to help a crew working on a growing fire.

Read about all 10 Standard Firefighting Orders.

Discussion Questions

  • How can exposure to excessive noise reduce the firefighter’s ability to maintain good situational awareness and fulfill the 10 Standard Fire Orders?
    • Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.
    • Give clear instructions and be sure they are understood.
    • Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first.
  • Are you wearing hearing protection when you work in all noisy environments?
  • What are some solutions for a flight helmet that lets noise in because the ear cup doesn’t fit correctly?
  • When working with chainsaws, mowers, and weed whackers, etc., at home, how do you protect your hearing?

Action:

  1. Look at your ear plugs. If they’re dirty, get a new pair and a spare.
  2. Find out if your unit has a hearing conservation program and join it.
  3. Consider turning down your music just a little bit, especially when you listen with earbuds.

 

Category
Firefighter Health First Aid
References
10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
Wildland Firefighter Hearing Conservation: Noise Exposure - Interim Report
Noise exposure among federal wildland firefighters Journal of the Acoustical So…
Noise exposure among federal wildland firefighters Journal of the Acoustical So…
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Noise and Heari…
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Noise Exposur…


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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee 

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day