On The Line

Few people can claim to possess a fire career that spans over four decades. From being a first year firefighter with the California Division of Forestry in the 1970's, to thirty-four years of smokejumping with the Forest Service, and ending with a final six year run with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Wayne Williams possesses a depth of capabilities and a wealth of knowledge that are unrivaled in the world of wildland fire. The importance of fitness, experience, and mentoring are highlighted in the podcast, as is a compelling review of some of the fascinating events within Wayne's long fire career.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.

Dr. Chuck Dumke and Dr. Brent Ruby from the University of Montana re-join the podcast to discuss this vital component of performance. Hydration plays an important role in firefighter safety, and yet at times its significance has been over-emphasized. "Hydration is not a rescue from heat related injuries. It's an important component to avoid hypo-hydration, but hydration isn't going to rescue you from other bad decisions," says Dumke. Optimal intake amounts are debated, Camelbaks vs. canteens are discussed, and the role of sports drinks in comparison to water consumption are also explored.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.

Firefighters can expend upwards of 6200 calories per day during rigorous operations. Therefore, what they eat, when they eat, and how much they eat become extremely important factors that must be taken in to consideration by not only the firefighters themselves but also fire managers. Dr. Brent Ruby, director of the Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism and professor in UM's Health and Human Performance Department, joins the podcast to discuss this critically important topic. This podcast, the first in a two part series on nutrition, focuses primarily upon the food demands faced by firefighters while they are operational. The second part of the series, which will air in Season Two of "On the Line", will concentrate on the role of nutrition in recovery.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.

Not only are firefighters exposed to wood smoke as a part of their occupations, but so too are millions of humans across the globe who must contend with this byproduct of combustion in the places they live. In this episode of "On the Line", University of Montana exercise physiologist Dr. Chuck Dumke is joined by wood smoke researcher Dr. Tony Ward from the University of Montana's School of Public and Community Health Sciences to discuss some of the science behind wood smoke, its health risks, and strategies to better manage exposures, both for firefighters and members of the general public.

Photo courtesy of: J. Chapman of Black Roast Coffee Co.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.

In this episode of On the Line, University of Montana biomechanist Matt Bundle and clinical psychology doctoral student Patty O'Brien join the podcast to discuss the concept of recovery and how it relates to wildland firefighters. Some of the science behind recovery is examined, and the roles of rest, sleep, and nutrition are also reviewed.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.

Although thousands of wildland firefighters are employed every year, and despite the fact that many of them sustain injuries while on the fireline or preparing themselves for the rigors of the job, very little is known about wildland firefighters and injury from a research perspective. In this episode, Dr. Valerie Moody from the University of Montana Athletic Training Program joins moderator Charlie Palmer to discuss the few studies that have been done, their results, and what they can tell us about firefighter injuries.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo, is "a medical condition associated with heat stress and prolonged physical exertion, resulting in rapid breakdown, rupture, and death of muscle. When muscle tissue dies, electrolytes and large proteins are released into the bloodstream that can cause irregular heart rhythms and seizures, and damage the kidneys." From 2008-2016, 26 cases of rhabdo were reported in wildland firefighters. University of Montana researchers Dr. Chuck Dumke and Dr. Brent Ruby, along with moderator Charlie Palmer, discuss rhabdo, why is the wildland firefighter at risk, and ways to reduce the risks.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.

In this debut podcast of "On the Line", moderator Charlie Palmer, along with University of Montana professors Dr. Chuck Dumke and Dr. Brent Ruby discuss heat related illnesses/injuries (HRI's) for wildland firefighters. HRI's fall along a continuum of severity, with heat cramps being the mildest form, through heat exhaustion, and lastly heat stroke, the most severe, life-threatening type of HRI. What can the science tell us about HRI, and why firefighters are at risk for heat related illnesses, along with applied strategies on how to reduce the risk of HRI's are discussed.

This podcast was made possible in part through support from the U. S. Forest Service and the University of Montana. The University of Montana is an equal opportunity provider.