There has been a great deal of discussion about the large volumes of foreign fighters involved in civil conflicts in Syria and Iraq over recent years. Yet, there remains little systematic evidence about the effect, if any, that foreign fighters have upon the conflicts they join. Existing literature distinguishes between the resources fighters bring to rebel groups and the liability they represent in regards to campaign cohesion. We seek to establish preliminary evidence as to whether or not foreign fighters contribute to the success of the campaigns they join. Our multinomial logistic and competing risks regression analyses of civil conflicts between 1946 and 2013 suggest that foreign fighters are associated with a decreased likelihood of government victory. Furthermore, we offer partial evidence to suggest that foreign fighters from non-contiguous countries are more likely to help rebels achieve a negotiated settlement or to continue their struggle against the government, but not to directly help them achieve victory.

This study aimed to investigate and describe perceptions Fire Fighters and Platoon Commanders from Johannesburg Emergency Services have of educational offerings offered by and / or deemed applicable to the emergency service, with specific reference to their vocational applicability and value in relation to promotion. It is argued in this report that such perceptions may affect the motivation experienced by adult learners to engage in further study and thus may influence the learning process as a whole. An understanding of how emergency service workers feel about the various courses and or qualifications that are on offer becomes important for managers, trainers and educators not only within the Johannesburg Emergency Service but also within industry as they plan and structure future educational offerings and training programmes. To collect data on the perceptions described above in-depth face to face interviews were conducted with a purposefully selected sample of Fire Fighters and Platoon Commanders. During these interviews the participants were required to respond to questions which were specifically designed to elicit their views and perceptions on the vocational applicability of courses and qualifications relevant to their daily work within the emergency service and the value of further study for promotion. The interviews were audio recorded producing raw data, which could be later transcribed verbatim. Once sufficient data was collected, this data was analysed and interpreted. The analysis and interpretation yielded a number of significant findings relating to the participants’ perceptions of the vocational applicability of various courses and qualifications linked to the service as well as the perceived value or link between further study and promotion. The findings relating to vocational applicability emphasised that perceptions about which courses and / or qualifications had higher levels of vocational applicability were most often linked to the participant’s position within the service as well as their own personal preference for a particular specialist area or vocational discipline. In addition, the frequency with which the participants utilised a learning outcome or skill appeared to play a significant role in determining their perception regarding the vocational applicability of learning events. Although the courses currently on offer were largely seen as being vocationally applicable there was a perception that significant deficits existed in their levels of training and preparation for particular incidents and components of the participants’ vocational activities. The study also found a perception among the participants that they were not afforded an equal opportunity to study further in each of the three main vocational disciplines. Regarding further learning and promotion within the service, this study found that the participants did not perceive a clearly identifiable link between further study and promotion and that promotion was not the main driving force behind their desire to study further. There also appeared to be confusion and a lack of consensus about which courses are best for promotion. The rescue courses specifically receive little recognition from the service in terms of promotion. Based on these findings a number of recommendations were made. It was recommended that the service consider the introduction of new learning programmes to supplement the learning outcomes of existing qualifications and courses. The employer was also encouraged to provide better clarity and guidance for staff about how all the different courses and qualifications are to be recognised and managed within the service. In order to do this, the employer was encouraged to carefully reflect on the role of further study within the service as well as the envisaged linkages between particular courses and qualifications and the workers operational duties, promotion, specialisation and career development. / Dr. K. Steenekamp Prof. A. Swart

Firefighters are responsible for protecting citizens as well as the infrastructure of cities across the United States. In order to safely protect and perform on-duty tasks, firefighters must be capable of performing physiologically demanding skills. Emerging evidence has led to heightened concern for firefighters’ increased obesity levels and decreased physical activity (PA). Formal exercise and PA research specific to firefighters is lacking. More specifically, there is a lack of literature using accelerometers to objectively measure PA. There is more evidence, however, to demonstrate firefighters have a high prevalence of obesity surpassing the general population. Not only are firefighters overweight and inactive, but also they are not aerobically fit to adequately perform their job-specific tasks. Purpose: To examine the relationship of PA and obesity to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Methods: Firefighters (n=29) wore an accelerometer for eight consecutive on- and off-duty days. The accelerometer was worn on the right hip and tracked sedentary activity, light physical activity (LPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MPVA). Additionally, each participant completed a stage-graded exercise test with submaximal square-wave verification bout to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). A stepwise linear regression model was conducted using physical activity intensity, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) as predictor variables for CRF. Results: According to the World Health Organization BMI categorization, none were normal weight, 20 were overweight, and 9 were obese. Firefighters spent roughly 61% of their waking hours in sedentary activity, 35.4% in LPA, and only 3.6% in MVPA. The two linear regression models were used to investigate whether PA intensity, step count, physical activity rating scale, BMI, or WC were more predictive of VO2max. VPA was predictive of VO2max (F(1,27) = 7.89, R2 = 0.23, p <0.01). Additionally, when BMI and WC were added, only WC was predictive of VO2max (F(1,27) = 11.76, R2 = 0.30, p<0.01). Conclusion: It is imperative fire departments emphasize the importance of cultivating an environment where improved health and wellness is essential for firefighters to adequately perform their physiologically demanding tasks.

No description available.

Wildfires in Canada and around the world are increasing in frequency each year from factors such as accumulated fuel load, climate changes, and pine beetle infestation. Due to an increased proportion of individuals living in the wildland–urban interface areas within Canada and due to the increasing need for firefighters to fight the growing number of fires that burn each year, the potential threat for humans is also becoming greater. Conducted on the 2009 West Kelowna, British Columbia wildfires, this descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study incorporates quantitative validity measurements to investigate factors related to individual variations in psychological distress and posttraumatic growth (PTG). The findings revealed that perception of control, social support, compounding stressors (i.e., dual roles, ongoing responsibilities and personal issues), and coping methods (i.e., debriefing, humour, self-care behaviours, and reflection) were precursors to psychological health and resilience. Since wildfires are increasing in Canada as well as on a global scale, understanding how they affect residents and firefighting personnel from a mental health perspective is important to research, as it can lead to identifying more effective interventions, better provision of disaster relief services, and increase individual resilience. / xi, 193 leaves ; 29 cm

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-115). Also available in print.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Occupational injuries sustained by Emergency Rescue Care workers have been well documented. However, despite their high rates of injury, the literature regarding the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSIs) in the fire service has not been well-established, especially in South Africa. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in the Durban Metropolitan Fire Department and to evaluate the relationship between selected risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: This was a descriptive study from a large urban Fire Department employing 350 active firefighters. Using a cross sectional study design, a retrospective analysis investigated the musculoskeletal injury prevalence from 2006-2008 by means of a questionnaire. Individuals reported on demographics, injury location, injury etiology, injury nature, extent of treatment rendered and time lost from work. Additionally, data was obtained regarding smoking, occupational stress, fitness, protective gear and injury prevention advice given by the Durban Metropolitan Fire Department. A 41% response rate was achieved. Results: The point prevalence of WRMSIs was 33.6% and the period prevalence was 81.1% of the sample. Low back injuries (47.9%) and strain injuries (40.8%) were the most common, followed by knee (22.5%), shoulder (19.7%) and ankle injuries (19%). The most common causes included lifting heavy objects, working in awkward postures and running. Weight, ethnic group, stress, lack of nutritional advice and alcohol consumption were all significantly associated with the prevalence of injuries. Ex-smoking was significant in the prevalence of low back injuries, stress was significant in the prevalence of knee injuries and alcohol consumption was associated with the prevalence of shoulder injuries. Conclusion: WRMSIs are of great concern in the fire service as their prevalence is substantial. Evaluation and implementation of further preventative measures and advice based on the results of this study can be effective in reducing WRMSIs.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Occupational injuries sustained by Emergency Rescue Care workers have been well documented. However, despite their high rates of injury, the literature regarding the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSIs) in the fire service has not been well-established, especially in South Africa. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in the Durban Metropolitan Fire Department and to evaluate the relationship between selected risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: This was a descriptive study from a large urban Fire Department employing 350 active firefighters. Using a cross sectional study design, a retrospective analysis investigated the musculoskeletal injury prevalence from 2006-2008 by means of a questionnaire. Individuals reported on demographics, injury location, injury etiology, injury nature, extent of treatment rendered and time lost from work. Additionally, data was obtained regarding smoking, occupational stress, fitness, protective gear and injury prevention advice given by the Durban Metropolitan Fire Department. A 41% response rate was achieved. Results: The point prevalence of WRMSIs was 33.6% and the period prevalence was 81.1% of the sample. Low back injuries (47.9%) and strain injuries (40.8%) were the most common, followed by knee (22.5%), shoulder (19.7%) and ankle injuries (19%). The most common causes included lifting heavy objects, working in awkward postures and running. Weight, ethnic group, stress, lack of nutritional advice and alcohol consumption were all significantly associated with the prevalence of injuries. Ex-smoking was significant in the prevalence of low back injuries, stress was significant in the prevalence of knee injuries and alcohol consumption was associated with the prevalence of shoulder injuries. Conclusion: WRMSIs are of great concern in the fire service as their prevalence is substantial. Evaluation and implementation of further preventative measures and advice based on the results of this study can be effective in reducing WRMSIs.

During the Syrian conflict the number of European Foreign Fighters has increased exponentially and has become an ever-growing concern for European policymakers. This phenomenon presents host of major security challenges for European policymakers and governments. Among European countries, France provides the highest number of citizens who have gone to Syria to fight against Assad´s regime. The French authorities have estimated that by mid-2014, over 700 French citizens have left France and travelled to Syria to fight. Historically France has had a relationship with Syria which started with its role as a border-drawing colonial power. Grounded in a framework of realism, that emphasizes nation-states as the primary actor within the international system, the analysis concentrates on the role of France´s foreign policy on the Syria as push factor for terrorism and radicalization. This paper attempts to determinate a specific correlation between the policy that France has been conducting towards Syria between 2000 and 2015, and the phenomenon of French Foreign Fighters. Findings suggest that France´s foreign policy towards Syria is the main root cause of the French Foreign Fighters phenomenon.

CHDS State/Local / Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. / The Fire Service is at an important crossroads in its history. The increasing threat of terrorism, along with the need for the Fire Service to make a major contribution to the Homeland Security effort, compels firefighters to expand upon their traditional mission requirements. They must deepen and widen the skills they possess for responding to all hazard incidents, and must also cover the terroristic events and weapons of mass destruction incidents that are inevitable during this war on terrorism. This will only be possible if the Fire Service embraces major conceptual changes in the way that it trains and exercises its members. In many respects, that exercise and training system is excellent and serves as a model for other disciplines. In other ways, however, it tends to be flawed and burdensome, preventing the Fire Service from taking major strides forward in its training efforts - especially with respect to the use of metrics to objectively evaluate performance capabilities for Homeland Security-related operations, and the embedding of assessment techniques in a broader system to provide for improved performance. This thesis examines the current approach taken by the Fire Service to training and exercising, especially in the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), and identifies gaps and problems in those existing systems. Then, the thesis examines relevant "best practices" from the United States Military and the private sector that might be applied to the shortfalls in Fire Service training and exercising. The remainder of the thesis proposes changes to the training and exercise system, designed to make a measurable, sustained impact on the capabilities of the fire service to accomplish Homeland Security and traditional mission requirements. / Captain, Fire Department of New York City