Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Over 45% of firefighter deaths are due to a sudden cardiac event caused by underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors that can be prevented through adequate CAD risk factor screening and management. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of CAD risk factors in firefighters in the City of Cape Town and the relationship between the various CAD risk factors. This study used a quantitative cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational design. A total of 124 full-time firefighters of the City of Cape Town (CoCT) Fire and Rescue Service were conveniently recruited to participate in the study, including males and females of all ethnicities. Coronary artery disease risk factor information was obtained with a CAD risk factor assessment form, including, past medical history, smoking status, physical activity behaviour, ethnicity/race, age and gender.

This report comprises a product development of an ergonomically designed hose basket that can be used by the firefighters when storing or carrying a fire hose. A study on ergonomics in the profession as a firefighter conducted by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) showed that fire hose deployment was very physically exhausting. This study also revealed that some load may become too heavy and difficult to carry due to the design of the equipment. Injury to the user during lifting is common within the profession. Therefore there is a need for equipment that is more ergonomically designed.  The project follows a product development phase that includes market research and feasibility study which was accomplished by a literature study and through study visits and interviews at fire stations.  A common type of hose basket was used as the starting point for the project. This hose basket is in this report referred as "Skövde basket" and was considered heavy and un-ergonomic to carry, especially for shorter people. From the gathered information a ‘house of quality’ and a two-step idea generation was created. Several concepts that were made opposed the Skövde basket in an evaluation matrix. A material selection using a program, CES Selector 3.2 was made on the winning concept that became a hose basket which is carried under the arm.   The hose basket was then constructed in the program Creo Parametric 4.0 and detail drawings were created. A prototype was then made and tested by firefighters of both sexes and of different heights. The results pointed out improvements and deteriorations from the Skövde basket. The deterioration was that the basket became more difficult to pack, which was due to the reduced number of bars. Improvements were noticed on lift height; significant increase on lift height facilitated easy carrying by shorter individuals. / Denna rapport omfattar en produktutveckling av en ergonomiskt utformad slangkorg som kan användas av räddningstjänsten då brandslang ska placeras ut. Enligt en studie kring ergonomi inom räddningstjänsten gjord av Research Institutes of Sweden, RISE, ansåg många brandmän att slangutläggning var mycket fysiskt ansträngande. Syftet är att främja ergonomi inom brandmannayrket. Trots de fysiska kraven hos brandmän, kan vissa laster bli för tunga och svåra att bära på grund av utrustningens utformning. Därför behövs utrustning som är mer ergonomiskt utformad.   Projektet följer övergripligt en produktutvecklingsfas där det ingår dels en marknadsundersökning och en förstudie vilket gjordes genom en litteraturstudie, intervjuer och studiebesök på brandstationer.   En vanlig variant av slangkorg användes som utgångspunkt för projektet, denna slangkorg kallas i rapporten för ”Skövdeväskan” och ansågs tung och oergonomisk att bära, framför allt för kortare personer. Utifrån den information som samlats in gjordes ett kvalitetshus och en tvåstegs idégenerering där koncept togs fram. Koncepten ställdes mot varandra och mot Skövdeväskan i en konceptvalsmatris. Materialval med programmet CES Selector 3.2 gjordes på det vinnande konceptet som blev en slangkorg som bärs under armen.  Slangkorgen modellerades sedan i programmet Creo Parametric 4.0 och detaljritningar skapades. En prototyp konstruerades och denna testades av brandmän av båda könen och av olika längd. Testpersonerna fick därefter göra en utvärdering som visade på både förbättringar och försämringar jämfört med Skövdeväskan. Försämringar som uppkom var att korgen blev mer svårpackad vilket berodde på det reducerade antalet stödstänger i ramen. Förbättringar gjordes på lyfthöjd vilket underlättade framför allt för de kortare personerna.

The diploma thesis focuses on the risks associated with the use of gas detectors in the intervention of fire brigade units, specifically in the case of an event associated with a carbon monoxide leak. The diploma thesis briefly explains the procedure of the units of the Fire and Rescue Service of the Czech Republic in terms of gas detection, specifically carbon monoxide. The work focuses on the Fire and Rescue Service of the South Moravian Region and analyzes the current equipment of fire stations with detection means. The output of the diploma thesis is to design a suitable optimization of the unit and measurement, including financial evaluation in various types of emergencies, in which units of the fire brigade may encounter a leak of carbon monoxide. Furthermore, a draft Methodological Sheet is prepared - Interventions with carbon monoxide leakage provide information on carbon monoxide and procedures for activities related to gas leakage.

The thesis deals with the psychosocial assistance and the entire complex of associated activities which have become a standard in helping people who have been affected by extraordinary events, critical situations and by the actions which are connected with the protection of people. The activities have become the standard in daily work of members of the Fire Rescue Service of South Bohemian Region, as well as of some other institutions, which are parties of the integrated rescue system, during their cooperation and joint intervention. Extraordinary events of various intensity, frequency and extent affect lives of people. The state creates various tools and measures and strives to be ready for harmful effects of these phenomena, address them effectively and minimize their impact. The Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic is the guarantor in this field; its work is based on Act No. 320/2015 Coll., On Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, as amended. The main task of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic is, among others, to protect lives and health of citizens of the Czech Republic. To fulfil its mission, the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic also provides psychosocial assistance to affected people during performing their rescue and relief activities. In that way, the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic develops its care and responds to overall needs of the citizens of the Czech Republic. Such an offer to citizens is expanded even further during joint interventions of more parties of the integrated rescue system. Act no. 239/2000 Coll., On the Integrated Rescue System, as amended, sets the possibilities of coordination and the broad platform of collaboration and cooperation with other important governmental and nongovernmental organizations and institutions. The aim of my thesis was to evaluate the entire complex of activities of psychosocial assistance to people affected by exceptional events. Having known the theoretical sources and especially after the subsequent evaluation of my qualitative research, I wanted to make some suggestions and recommendations for changes and improvements in providing psychosocial assistance. I have formulated five research questions which reflect the full scope of the examined issues. The thesis is divided into two parts: a standard theoretical part and a practical part. The theoretical part includes the research and analysis of scientific literature and related laws which deal with the tasks of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic, psychological services, parties of the integrated rescue system and primarily with the psychosocial assistance. The practical part implements the tried and tested qualitative survey, which has been carri

The thesis on the topic Analysis of Faults Found in Fire Inspections Performed within Execution of State Fire Inspection by the Fire Brigade Rescue Corps of Southern Bohemia in 2003 2012 focuses on comparison of faults selected by gradual elimination from all the 700 fire inspections to final 150 complex fire inspections and classified per years in a ten-year comparison period. Follow-up inspections and thematic fire inspection were not used for the complex evaluation as they did not contain the necessary information. Six parameters were chosen from all the performed complex inspections containing 30 monitored facts of correctness and existence of documents of the inspected object and seven monitored facts from physical examination of the objects. These six parameters were subsequently compared. The aim of my thesis was to find out whether the numbers of the faults detected within execution of the state fire inspection were increasing in the individual categories. The theoretical part summarizes the basic legal norms applicable to the Fire Brigade Rescue Corps of the CR and to execution of the state fire inspection and some extensive legal norms related to the inspection activities or inspected subjects. Elaboration of the thesis topic required explanation of some terms like legal entity, private entrepreneur, fire inspection, state fire inspection and its integration in the Fire Brigade Rescue Corps of the CR. The chapter contains description of activities including graphs illustrating procedures related to execution of state fire inspection. A separate part is dedicated to fire protection history, formation of awareness of the history and to chronological arrangement of some key legal norms binding for the Fire Brigade Rescue Corps of the CR and execution of state fire inspection. It was for example necessary to present the rules governing execution of state fire inspection like professional competence of Fire Brigade Rescue Corps members and their identification at the place of inspection, to clarify the terms fire inspection plan and fire inspection programme. The final part of the theoretical base of the thesis contains the rules of behaviour of Fire Brigade Rescue Corps members performing state fire inspection at the inspected site and principles of interaction with people representing the inspected subject. The research methodology was chosen adequately to the topic dealt with. First archive materials from complex fire inspection records were studied and then the individual faults were qualitatively processed and categorized to faults in documentary part and physical defects. After that a selection of closer spectre of examined faults was performed and preparation of data for comparison. The faults of the individual years were compared in the monitored data and the danger index of the individual years was calculated. The concluding part of the thesis focused on presentation of the dependences of the detected faults of the individual years by means of tables and graphs. The results were mutually compared, classified, commented in detail in the discussion and elaborated into the overall image of the society. Dependence of the number of performed complex fire inspections on the number of detected faults was proven from the danger index and from graphic representation of its values.

The Regulation No. 1907/2006 on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances and on establishment of the European Chemicals Agency, the so-called REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances) came into effect on 1 June 2007. The purpose of the Regulation has been to ensure safe functioning of the market with chemical substances and preparations and protection of human health and environment against effects of toxic substances. After a complete implementation of the Regulation the only substances and preparations produced and used in the European Union will be those with known toxicological properties, including data about their impact on the health of future generations. The thesis focuses on the description of the REACH Regulation, schedule of its implementation and its potential benefits for the improved effectiveness of rescue and liquidation works performed by members of the Integrated Rescue Service (IZS). Due to very limited sources available at the early stage of REACH implementation, the method selected for the work was consultations with experts directly specializing in the REACH legislation, managers of pharmaceutical or chemical companies managing work with toxic substances and IZS members. Expert opinions have been collected about the legislation process and about the situation in the industry. The Fire Rescue Service uses databases Medis Alarm, Rozex Alarm, TEREX and Trins for planning and implementation of its interventions. In 2013 {--} 2020 I expect bigger quantities of data obtained within the REACH framework to be transmitted into those databases; in that period it will be necessary for the IZS members to become familiar with REACH and with the implemented methods of transmission of toxicological data and to be able to critically evaluate available databases when planning an intervention under conditions of a potential threat posed by toxic substances to the health of IZS members, to the population in the surroundings and to the environment. I recommend to start teaching REACH as a topic at specialized schools so that future graduates are familiar with REACH at least theoretically.

This thesis deals with the evaluation of the causes of traffic accidents of the Fire and Rescue Service vehicles of the South Moravian Region in 2001-2012. Based on the data and information traffic accidents are comprehensively evaluated and measures are proposed to reduce accidents. The processed material can serve to provide expert services in solving the analysis of traffic accidents.

Title: The Analysis of the Development of Physical Capability of Fire Rescue Corps of the Czech Republic in Plzeň Region in 2012-2019 Objectives: The analysis of physical capability of members of Fire Rescue Corps in Plzeň region. The object of diploma thesis is to determine the current state of physical capability of members of Fire Rescue Corps. Moreover, to assess the development of physical capability in last seven years. Methodology: Obtaining data by asking staff members, literature study, processing theoretical basis, processing acquired data, the analysis of results Results: An average age of members of Fire Rescue Corps in Plzeň region is increasing. An average age is 40 years. The results of strength disciplines positively increase and physical capability in this field increase as well. On the contrary, the results of endurance disciplines deteriorate. The most surprising finding is a deteriorating result in running. Key words: Fire Rescue Corps of the Czech Republic, physical capability, Integrated Emergency System of the Czech Republic, Plzeň region, the members of Fire Rescue Corps

Human protection in emergencies is one of the topics, which is getting more public attention nowadays and its teaching at schools is strongly supported. The main authority providing this support is mostly the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. This institution organises various activities within the programme of population preparedness, for example educational books and booklets, videos etc. Raising the participation of the population in ensuring their own security is defined as one of the security interests in the Security strategy of the Czech Republic. It is also one of the key priorities listed in the Conception of the population protection till 2020 with the outlook to 2030. In the theoretical part of the master thesis, the basic information about the population protection, about the integrated rescue system, about the educational system and about the activities of individual authorities and institutions in the population protection education is summarised. This part of course summarizes also the problematics of the school subject Human Protection in Emergencies and of the teaching of this subject at schools, the tools needed for this teaching and also the possibilities, which teachers have to prepare for teaching this subject. The research part of the thesis elaborates on an analysis of teaching the subject Human Protection in Emergencies at primary schools in the Rokycany district. The research was carried out by formulating and evaluating questionnaires, analysing the schools' educational programmes and creating a SWOT analysis. On the basis of the obtained results, the research question was answered: "Which form does have the teaching of Human Protection in Emergencies at primary schools in the Rokycany district?" Currently, the teaching is carried out in other subjects, such as Natural sciences. The schools try to complete the classical teachers' explanations with debates with the employees of the integrated rescue system, excursions, or project days. The benefit of this thesis is the acquired complex overview about the teaching of the subject Human Protection in Emergencies at primary schools. The thesis could furthermore serve as a topic for future bachelor or master theses, with the focus of the research part on other areas of the Czech Republic.

The thesis, which is divided into a practical and a theoretical part, examines the level of knowledge among the members of the Fire Brigade of the South Bohemia region. The theoretical part characterizes the Fire Brigade of the Czech Republic, its mission and tasks, its position within the Integrated Emergency System. The theoretical part deals with the issues of stagnant, flowing and frozen water hydrology, physiology related to staying in cold water and the possibilities to use rescue and protective aids. I also present a list of dangerous situations rescuers are exposed to when rescuing on water surfaces. Results of a questionnaire research are processed and evaluated in the practical part. The questionnaire deals with the issues of stagnant, flowing and frozen water hydrology, the basic theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills of the members of the South Bohemian Fire Brigade. The most important findings resulting from the performed research are summarized in the conclusion of the work. I evaluate the aims and hypotheses set at the beginning and propose a possible solution of the problems in question.