Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting Applications
In response to the escalating complexity and frequency of wildland fires, this study investigates the feasibility of using wearable devices for real-time monitoring of cardiac, respiratory, physical, and environmental parameters during live wildfire suppression tasks. Data were collected from twelve...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3066 |
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| author | Mariangela Pinnelli Stefano Marsella Fabio Tossut Emiliano Schena Roberto Setola Carlo Massaroni |
| author_facet | Mariangela Pinnelli Stefano Marsella Fabio Tossut Emiliano Schena Roberto Setola Carlo Massaroni |
| author_sort | Mariangela Pinnelli |
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| description | In response to the escalating complexity and frequency of wildland fires, this study investigates the feasibility of using wearable devices for real-time monitoring of cardiac, respiratory, physical, and environmental parameters during live wildfire suppression tasks. Data were collected from twelve male firefighters (FFs) from the Italian National Fire Corp during a simulated protocol, including rest, running, and active fire suppression phases. Physiological and physical metrics such as heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory frequency (f<sub>R</sub>) and physical activity levels were extracted using chest straps. The protocol designed to mimic real-world firefighting scenarios revealed significant cardiovascular and respiratory strain, with <i>HR</i> often exceeding 85% of age-predicted maxima and sustained elevations in high-stress roles. Recovery phases highlighted variability in physiological responses, with reduced HRV indicating heightened autonomic stress. Additionally, physical activity analysis showed task-dependent intensity variations, with debris management roles exhibiting consistently high exertion levels. These findings demonstrate the relevance of wearable technology for real-time monitoring, providing an accurate analysis of key metrics to offer a comprehensive overview of work-rest cycles, informing role-specific training and operational strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b9b59e4a35104f33925527f0398b02b8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-b9b59e4a35104f33925527f0398b02b82025-08-20T03:48:02ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-05-012510306610.3390/s25103066Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting ApplicationsMariangela Pinnelli0Stefano Marsella1Fabio Tossut2Emiliano Schena3Roberto Setola4Carlo Massaroni5Unit of Measurements and Biomedical Instrumentation, Departmental Faculty of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, ItalyItalian Firefighting Corp, Piazza del Viminale, 1, 00184 Rome, ItalyItalian Firefighting Corp, Piazza del Viminale, 1, 00184 Rome, ItalyUnit of Measurements and Biomedical Instrumentation, Departmental Faculty of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, ItalyUnit of Automatic Control, Departmental Faculty of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, ItalyUnit of Measurements and Biomedical Instrumentation, Departmental Faculty of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, ItalyIn response to the escalating complexity and frequency of wildland fires, this study investigates the feasibility of using wearable devices for real-time monitoring of cardiac, respiratory, physical, and environmental parameters during live wildfire suppression tasks. Data were collected from twelve male firefighters (FFs) from the Italian National Fire Corp during a simulated protocol, including rest, running, and active fire suppression phases. Physiological and physical metrics such as heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory frequency (f<sub>R</sub>) and physical activity levels were extracted using chest straps. The protocol designed to mimic real-world firefighting scenarios revealed significant cardiovascular and respiratory strain, with <i>HR</i> often exceeding 85% of age-predicted maxima and sustained elevations in high-stress roles. Recovery phases highlighted variability in physiological responses, with reduced HRV indicating heightened autonomic stress. Additionally, physical activity analysis showed task-dependent intensity variations, with debris management roles exhibiting consistently high exertion levels. These findings demonstrate the relevance of wearable technology for real-time monitoring, providing an accurate analysis of key metrics to offer a comprehensive overview of work-rest cycles, informing role-specific training and operational strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3066wearable technologyphysical monitoringphysiological monitoringlive fire trainingwildland firefighting |
| spellingShingle | Mariangela Pinnelli Stefano Marsella Fabio Tossut Emiliano Schena Roberto Setola Carlo Massaroni Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting Applications Sensors wearable technology physical monitoring physiological monitoring live fire training wildland firefighting |
| title | Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting Applications |
| title_full | Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting Applications |
| title_fullStr | Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting Applications |
| title_short | Field Testing Multi-Parametric Wearable Technologies for Wildfire Firefighting Applications |
| title_sort | field testing multi parametric wearable technologies for wildfire firefighting applications |
| topic | wearable technology physical monitoring physiological monitoring live fire training wildland firefighting |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3066 |
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