1.) What are the capstone research project objectives?

The capstone research project objectives is to addresses

exposure to smoke from wildland and prescribed fires encountered by
wildland firefighters. Smoke from vegetation as well as off-gasses
from equipment such as chain saws, pumps, and drip torches are
accounted for. This study focused on wildland firefighters engaged in
the suppression of wildland fires and working on prescribed fires
primarily on federally-managed lands (forests and rangelands)
throughout the United States.
2.) What are the main parts of the assigned capstone research project
examples?
The main parts of the assigned capstone research project are:
First is the introduction which includes the background, second is
Primer on Industrial Hygiene, third is the wildland fire smoke, fourth
is the review of related literature, fifth is the Economics, sixth is the
research, seventh is the recommendation, eighth is the conclusion,
and last is the appendices.
3.) Compare and Contrast parts with a thesis
A Capstone project have more parts compared to a thesis. Aside
from research itself, Capstone project has an additional part where it
gives information about the origin and the nature of the topic. These
parts helps the readers to easily grasp the nature and the sole purpose
of the study.
4.) Describe a capstone research project basing on your observation
A capstone project is like a thesis, but a capstone project is
ultimately an academic exercise that allows us students to develop our
communication and intellectual skills.
Wildland Firefighter Smoke Exposure Study
George Anthony Broyles, Utah State University
Date of Award
5-2013
Degree Type
Report
Degree Name
Master of Natural Resources (MNR)
Department
Natural Resources
First Advisor
James Long
Second Advisor
wildland firefighter, smoke exposure
Third Advisor
wildland firefighter, smoke exposure
Abstract
This report addresses exposure to smoke from wildland and prescribed fires
encountered by wildland firefighters. Smoke from vegetation as well as off-gasses
from equipment such as chain saws, pumps, and drip torches are accounted for.
Section II provides an overview of industrial hygiene science and techniques.
Section III is a discussion and literature review of the components in wildland
smoke, and section IV identifies the health concerns associated with smoke
inhalation and a review of the current literature on exposure to inhalation irritants.
Section V covers research that has been done on wildland firefighter smoke
exposure. Section VI is an overview of the Wildland Firefighter Smoke Exposure
Study, a project I have managed since 2009. This final section describes the
objectives, methods, data collection, and analysis of the study. In its entirety, this
report can be used to identify locations, times, and firefighter activities that have a
high probability of causing high exposures as well as to identify management
actions that can mitigate these exposures.
Wildland firefighters work in a dynamic environment and are often faced with a
variety of hazards from fire to fire and shift to shift. One of the most common, but
often overlooked, hazards is exposure to potentially harmful levels of contaminants
in wildland smoke. This may also be one of the least understood risks of wildland
firefighting (Reisen et al., 2009). With a growing body of information regarding
the potential health effects of vegetative smoke to respiratory and cardiovascular
systems, it became apparent to United States Forest Service (USFS) fire
management officials that more research needed to be done. The USFS realized the
need for current, valid data to accurately assess the exposure wildland firefighters
and personnel at fire camps experience during their work shift.
Unlike municipal firefighters, wildland firefighters do not wear respiratory
protection equipment such as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Without SCBA, wildland firefighters are subject to exposure from a variety of
inhalation irritants ranging from carbon monoxide, aldehydes, particulate matter,
crystalline silica, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Some of the compounds
in wildland fire smoke are known or suspected carcinogens. Health effects include
short-term conditions such as headaches, fatigue, and nausea, while long-term
health effects may include an increased risk of cardio-vascular disease. In order to
assess the long-term risks associated with wildland firefighting, a comprehensive
study of exposure was necessary. By identifying the conditions and activities that
lead to high exposure, firefighters and fire managers can be better prepared to
reduce these exposures.
This study focused on wildland firefighters engaged in the suppression of wildland
fires and working on prescribed fires primarily on federally-managed lands (forests
and rangelands) throughout the United States. Study subjects included any
firefighter employed by the following federal land management agencies: US
Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as employees contracted by
these federal agencies. Firefighters employed by various states are also included in
the study, as well as those engaged in initial attack and project fires. Study subjects
also included fire support personnel who work at incident command posts (ICPs)
and spike camps. Fire suppression and management of prescribed fires involves
many different activities. In order to successfully account for differences in
exposure among firefighters, these activities were monitored and recorded during
the data collection phase.
Recommended Citation
Broyles, George Anthony, "Wildland Firefighter Smoke Exposure Study" (2013). All Graduate
Plan B and other Reports. 356.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/356