The current uses of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in wildland firefighting center around mapping, scouting, and firing operations. These operations and additional operations are often held back by lack of range and lift capacity of current UAV options. Software design tools were developed in this research to aid in designing a UAV for wildland firefighting. The tools help create a mission profile, estimate the mass of the UAV, select a motor and rotor, select a battery, and generate and analyze a finite element (FE) sector model. These tools leverage parametric analysis and studying existing hardware to create a design. The FE model is generated based on the mission profile, a motor and rotor, and battery as design parameters and a set of design variables. The tools developed for creating a mission profile, estimating mass, selecting a motor and rotor, and selecting a battery successfully aid the preliminary design of an octocopter, hexacopter, and quadcopter. The FE tool was designed around an octocopter's geometry, which leads to complications in generating FE models for a hexacopter or quadcopter. Recommendations were made for altering the FE tool to account for hexacopters and quadcopters. Other recommendations were made to support future work in creating an optimized design of a wildland firefighting UAV. / Master of Science / The use of multirotor UAVs in various industries is rapidly expanding. One industry that currently uses UAVs but is limited in their capabilities is wildland firefighting. Wildland firefighters use UAVs for scouting, mapping, and firing operations. Scouting includes finding road access to the fire, finding water sources, searching for spot fires, and many other applications. Mapping is typically done to understand the size of the fire. Firing operations are conducted to start small, controlled fires to remove fuel from the fires path. However, these operations as well as future applications of UAVs are often limited by the flight time and the lifting capabilities current UAV options offer. Tools were developed in this research to create a preliminary design of a UAV for wildland firefighting. The design parameters and variables of the UAV design are outlined throughout the tools. The tools allow for compiling mission requirements, selecting motors/rotors and a battery to use in the UAV, and a preliminary structural analysis of the UAV design. The preliminary structural analysis includes extracting stresses, strains, and displacements experienced through a simplified mission as well as the natural frequencies of the finite element sector model. The design of octocopters, hexacopters, and quadcopters were explored using the set of design tools. The tools were successfully in selecting components for each style of UAV and at the preliminary structural analysis of the octocopter design. However, the structural analysis was not able to be conducted for the hexacopter and quadcopter design due to geometric conditions in the finite element model.

No description available.

Virtual ergonomics (VE) tools have had an impressive impact on the automotive, aviation, and defence industries. Despite the progress made in the last four decades, the tool complexity and application potential in other industries continues to invite improvement opportunities. Firefighting is an occupation with a high musculoskeletal injury burden that can benefit from innovative VE tools. This dissertation aims to: 1) improve VE tools for traditional and novel applications, and 2) identify injury risk to firefighters during fire suppression tasks. This dissertation begins by proposing a set of joint-specific and whole-body posturing guidelines for the manual manipulation of digital human models (DHMs) in the context of automotive manufacturing. Simulation accuracy improved with the implementation of posturing guidelines. These findings are useful instructions for virtual simulation ergonomists, software developers of posture prediction algorithms, and those charged with determining manufacturing ergonomics protocols. Descriptive ergonomic analyses of 48 firefighters in full bunker gear performing three common fire suppression tasks were then performed to identify the required ergonomic action needed for these tasks. Next, two VE tools (Jack and 3DSSPP) and Microsoft Kinect® 3D motion capture data were used to conduct an in-depth analysis of the most difficult task, the high-rise pack lift. The analysis included developing a methodology for modeling the external loads due to personal protective equipment. In addition to describing the firefighter injury risk exposure during common fire suppression tasks, the results highlight the strengths, limitations, and areas for further improvement of VE technology. Overall, VE tool improvements include suggesting guidelines for manual DHM posturing, understanding the strengths and limitations of using 3D motion capture gaming technology for posturing DHMs, and developing strategies to account for external loads due to personal protective equipment. Following these improvements, VE technology shows promise as an ergonomic assessment tool for firefighters. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Virtual ergonomics (VE), which uses digital human models in virtual workstations, allows for efficient and detailed ergonomic assessments of tasks that are otherwise difficult or impossible to perform. However, more research is needed to identify tool improvements for both traditional and new applications. This work proposes, evaluates, and ultimately recommends a set of postural guidelines for the posturing of digital human models to ensure accurate simulation and subsequent assessment of real assembly-line worker movement patterns. Next, firefighter ergonomics, a relatively new application for VE tools, is introduced by first describing the injury risks associated with common fire suppression tasks. The strengths, limitations, and potential of applying VE tools to firefighting ergonomics are then highlighted through an example of simulating the high-rise pack lift task using two VE tools. Overall, the results contribute to the evolving field of VE by challenging current methodologies and highlighting new opportunities for VE tools.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / Display technologies in the current market range from the simple and cheap incandescent bulb behind a graphic overlay to the upwardly expensive flat panel high definition plasma display. To provide a foundation of understanding for Light Emitting Polymers (LEP), samples were imaged in a scanning electron microscope. This was preformed to identify a potential method for answering questions on polymer charge mobility and diffusion mechanisms, which are currently unknown. Light Emitting Polymer (LEP) displays offer a viable alternative to the active matrix style, when an application calls for information to be sent in a simple visible format. By using the flexibility of the fabrication process, LEP displays can be applied to offer a low cost, lightweight, and durable means of communicating information during shipboard damage control and firefighting. A unique screen printing method was used in collaboration with Add-Vision, to produce a prototype that was designed, fabricated and tested for use in Naval shipboard firefighting evolutions. The application of the LEP technology to shipboard damage control was motivated by the experience gained from being both the Officer in Charge of a Naval Firefighting School and from time in the Fleet as a Damage Control Officer. / Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve

Firefighting is a strenuous occupation that increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Greater levels of physical fitness and training improve firefighters’ occupational performance, but little is known whether they are related to lower physiological stress and recovery from fire ground tasks. Heart rate, heart rate recovery and heart rate variability have been used to evaluate physical stress in association with exercise and fire ground tasks. However, there is a paucity of research evaluating the effects of physical fitness and training on heart rate dynamics during a simulated fire ground test (SFGT). Therefore, the primary purposes of this study were to evaluate the relationships between heart rate dynamics during a SFGT and to determine the effects of physical characteristics, fitness and physical training on these measures. The secondary purpose was to assess the relationship between maximal pace SFGT time and heart rate responses from a standardized pace SFGT. This information will help to understand the relationship between occupational performance and level of physical stress associated with work on the fire ground. Twenty-one firefighter academy recruits (Age = 28.4 ± 4.0 yr; Height = 177.1 ± 6.9 cm; Body mass = 88.3 ± 15.4 kg) participated in this cross-sectional and longitudinal study. The subjects completed a battery of physical fitness tests, including a 1.5-mile run, maximal pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and isometric plank hold. In addition, the subjects completed a standardized pace SFGT that consisted of typical fire ground tasks performed in succession, without recovery (i.e., high-rise pack carry, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise, forcible entry, search, and victim rescue tasks). Heart rate variability was measured pre- and post-SFGT, and heart rate and 60 s heart rate recovery were measured during and post-SFGT, respectively. After a 10 wk physical training intervention, composed of approximately four physical training sessions per week, the measurements were repeated. A subsample of the original cohort (n = 11) also completed a maximal pace SFGT where their completion time was used as a measure of work capacity. Independent variables for this study included the physical and fitness test measures, physical training and maximal pace SFGT completion time. Dependent variables for this study were mean heart rate reserve during the SFGT (HRRes), difference between resting and mean heart rate during SFGT (HRSFGT-Rest), 60-second heart rate recovery (HRR60), and the difference between resting and post-SFGT root mean square of standard deviation between consecutive heart beats in logarithmic scale (LnRMSSDPost-Rest) measured with standardized pace SFGT. Independent and dependent variables were obtained at baseline and after physical training. Pearson r correlation coefficient was used to evaluate associations between outcome measures. Dependent samples t-test was used to compare differences in outcome measures at baseline and following physical training. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between independent and dependent variables with standardized pace SFGT at baseline. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between maximal pace SFGT time and outcome measures during the standardized pace SFGT. The level of significance was set as p ≤ 0.05 for all statistical analyses. In the standardized pace SFGT there was a positive correlation between HRSFGT-Rest and HRRes (R = .79, p < .01). LnRMSSDPre-Post was positively correlated with HRRes (R = .47; p < .05) HRSFGT-Rest (R = .70; p = .01) and HRPost-Rest (R = .84; p < .01). There was also a significant inverse correlation between HRPost-Rest and HRR60 (R = -.46; p < .05). Greater height and fat-free mass were favorably associated with HRSFGT-Res (R2 = .57; p = .02), HRRes (R2 = .55; p = .003) and HRPost-Rest (R2 = .59; p = .02). Height was also associated with attenuated depression of LnRMSSDRest-Post. After accounting for the effect of other independent variables in the multiple linear regression models, height was the only significant predictor for HRSFGT-Rest (β = -.90), HRRes (β = -.64), HRPost-Rest (β = -.76) and LnRMSSDRest-Post (β = -.06). A significant decrease in HRRes (80.1 ± 6.7% vs. 76.0 ± 6.7%; p < 0.001) and increase in HRR60 (29.4 ± 8.3 b∙min-1 vs. 37.8 ± 9.0 b∙min-1; p < .001) were observed after the physical training intervention. There was a significant correlation between maximal pace SFGT time and the standardized pace SFGT HRR60 (R = -0.70; p = 0.02), but not with other dependent variables. In summary, these findings indicate that greater cardiovascular demand during fire ground tasks is related to greater physical stress and lower parasympathetic activity during recovery. Greater height and fat-free mass as well as physical training are associated with lower physiological stress and accelerated recovery from fire ground tasks. Support for relationships between work capacity and heart rate dynamics during a standardized submaximal pace SFGT is limited, indicating that independent SFGT conditions may be necessary to provide work capacity and health information, respectively.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Tereza Yoshie Ikegami - 2014.pdf: 4173121 bytes, checksum: 40f69d0a256dfd9171932287659d381f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-08 / Outro / The purpose of this study was to assess QOL (quality of life) of workers of Board of Public Security and Justice of the State of Goias, Brazil, and to identify the socio-demographic and occupational variables that may influence their QOL. This is an epidemiological cross-sectional study, conducted in the metropolitan region and countryside municipalities of the state. The institutions studied were the Military Police (MP), the Firefighting Brigade (FB), the Civilian Police (CP) and the Technical and Scientific Police (TSP). Data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Bref (Whoqol-bref) and a questionnaire with socio-demographic and occupational variables of interest. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 18.0. Descriptive statistics and measures of central tendency were calculated for the variables of interest. To evaluate the association between explanatory variables and the QOL scores (and their domains), the non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used with p<5%. Of 1.039 workers (356 of MP, 275 of FB, 188 of CP and 203 of TSP), 78.1% were male, the predominant age was 31-50 years old; 76.4% were married or in a stable relationship. Regarding length of working in public service, 57.3% had been working up to 15 years. Of the 1.039 respondents, 62.4% were in field work activities. The scores of overall QOL and of the physical, psychological and social domains were very good; as for the environmental domain, the scores were good. The following variables were statistically significant for a better QOL: being married, working at countryside municipalities, field work activities and exercising regularly. The following variables were associated with a worse QOL: being female and having a sick family member. Good scores of QOL means offering the minimum conditions for individuals to develop the maximum of their potential to live, feel, love, work and produce. / A finalidade deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) dos trabalhadores da Secretaria de Segurança Pública e Justiça do Estado de Goiás (SSPJGO) e identificar as variáveis sociodemográficas e ocupacionais que podem influenciar a QV destes servidores. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico transversal, realizado nas instituições de segurança pública (ISP) da região metropolitana e cidades do interior do estado de Goiás. As instituições estudadas foram: a Polícia Militar (PM), o Corpo de Bombeiros Militar (CBM), a Polícia Civil (PC) e a Superintendência de Polícia Técnico-Científica (SPTC). Os dados foram coletados usando o instrumento abreviado de avaliação da QV da Organização Mundial da Saúde – World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument bref (Whoqol-bref) – e um questionário com as variáveis sociodemográficas e ocupacionais de interesse. Realizou-se estatística descritiva, com medidas de tendência central, para as variáveis de interesse. Para avaliar a associação entre variáveis de interesse e os escores da QV geral e dos seus domínios, foram utilizados os testes não paramétricos de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, com p<5%. A amostra foi constituída de 1.039 servidores, sendo 356 da PM, 275 do CBM, 188 da PC e 203 da SPTC; com 78,1% homens; predominando as faixas etárias de 31 a 50 anos; 76,4% referiram ser casados ou em união estável. Com relação ao tempo de trabalho no serviço público, 57,3% dos servidores tinham até 15 anos. Dos 1.039 respondentes, 62,4% está em atividade operacional. Os escores da QV geral e nos domínios físico, psicológico e social foram muito bons e, no domínio ambiental, bom. As variáveis que apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa para uma melhor QV foram: ser casado, estar lotado no interior, trabalhar em atividade operacional e praticar atividade física regular. As seguintes variáveis tiveram associação estatisticamente significativa para pior QV dos servidores estudados: ser do sexo feminino, ter algum familiar doente e trabalhar em escalas extras. Os níveis dos escores da QV, considerados bons, significam uma QV que oferece o mínimo de condições para que os indivíduos possam desenvolver o máximo de suas potencialidades de viver, sentir, amar, trabalhar e produzir.

Wildland fire services have successfully integrated compressed air foam systems (CAFS) into their fire suppression arsenal over the last few decades to effectively increase the firefighting ability of water. Many urban fire departments have done the same, but far more still rely on plain water to extinguish Class A fires. Many claims have been made about the advantages and disadvantages of firefighting foams, but only limited research has been conducted on the subject to date. Fire departments need more information, beyond that provided by foam suppliers and CAFS equipment manufacturers, to make an independent decision on whether or not to adopt the technology. This thesis is part of a larger project sponsored by the United States Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (grant ID: EMW-2010-FP-01369) to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of compressed air foam systems (CAFS) for use in structural firefighting applications. Large-scale tests comparing water and foam suppression, which includes aspirated foam and CAFS, in a variety of scenarios were performed to measure the ability of the hose streams to reduce the temperature of a hot gas layer within a structure. These temperature reductions were recorded with thermocouples and are analyzed to determine which suppression agent has a superior gas cooling ability.

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