Illinois Fire Service Institute Research Articles

Leading through Partnership

In the over three decades since its establishment in 1990, the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Library has been a leader through taking the initiative in developing and maintaining partnerships for the benefit of its primary user community: the firefighters of Illinois. Partnerships at the local, state, national, and international levels have allowed the IFSI Library to respond to the unique information needs of firefighters through the creation and continued use of services and programs which have been created specifically to meet these unique needs, and the IFSI Library’s place within the Illinois state fire academy allows these services and programs to be promoted and made available to firefighters across the state. By taking the initiative to create partnerships for the benefit of firefighters, the IFSI Library has established itself as a leader in partnership with both the library and information science field as well as to the fire service. The services and programs made possible through the IFSI Library’s partnerships have contributed to Illinois firefighters’ ability to access the information and resources that they need to continue keeping their communities safe.

Quantification of Elevated Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) Concentration Typical in a Residential Fire Environment Using Mid-IR Tunable Diode Laser.

A versatile portable tunable diode laser based measurement system for measuring elevated concentrations of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in a time-resolved manner is developed for application in the fire environment. The direct absorption tunable diode laser spectroscopy (DA-TDLAS) technique is employed using the R11 absorption line centered at 3345.3 cm-1 (2989.27 nm) in the fundamental C-H stretching band (ν1) of the HCN absorption spectrum. The measurement system is validated using calibration gas of known HCN concentration and the relative uncertainty in measurement of HCN concentration is 4.1% at 1500 ppm. HCN concentration is measured with a sampling frequency of 1 Hz, in gas sampled from 1.5 m, 0.9 m, and 0.3 m heights in the Fireground Exposure Simulator (FES) prop at the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute, Champaign, Illinois. The immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) concentration of 50 parts per million (ppm) is exceeded at all the three sampling heights. A maximum concentration of 295 ppm is measured at the 1.5 m height. The HCN measurement system, expanded to measure HCN simultaneously from two sampling locations, is then deployed in two full-scale experiments designed to simulate a realistic residential fire environment at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center, Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania.

Together telling: reconciling information equivocality in crisis response

Information is essential during crises. In a crisis response operation, information is usually shared among autonomous relief agencies to facilitate collective understanding and action. However, this may evoke the problem of equivocality, the presence of multiple competing or contradicting interpretations of the same information. The aim of this study is to offer pragmatic means of managing equivocality so collective understanding within and among groups can ensue in order to improve crisis response efforts. The primary theoretical constructs underlying this study are sensemaking, sensegiving, and storytelling. Sensemaking activities seek, process, create and use the information to come up with plausible understandings by assigning one meaning out of many plausible meanings in a situation, which is then communicated to others through the sensegiving efforts. Storytelling, as a communication tool, helps with the building of narratives in which open and negotiated conversations can lead to share understandings and coordinated actions. Built on the case of a garment factory fire incident in Pakistan that led to the death of 289 workers, the study adopted a Design Science Research approach by combining both existing theoretical understandings and relevant empirical data collected in two related settings. The data collection phase in Pakistan included analysis of investigation reports that examined the contributing factors and challenges faced by the first responders in handling the fire incident at the factory. Interviews with different actors of the factory fire incident, including survivors, victims’ family members, and emergency responders, were conducted. The second data source came from fieldwork conducted at Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) in the United States. This was reinforced with reports retrieved from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) database investigating the common causes of firefighter fatalities. The data were analyzed using content analysis and validated through the member-checking process. Based on the theoretical and empirical data, this study developed and introduced the concept of Together Telling (TT). By using storytelling exercises adopted from the theatre ensemble, TT addresses the information-sharing issue of equivocality by enhancing the dialogic competencies of the crisis handlers so they can collectively understand the situation and move towards action. This study has important theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it facilitates episodes of collective sensemaking by improving sharing of information among team members and the application of storytelling techniques in the context of crisis response as this has been largely used in pre-crisis and post-crisis settings. TT provides practical incremental steps towards achieving common understandings while managing misunderstandings and confusions among the crisis response teams which is crucial in moving forward jointly. It also allows new form of leadership to emerge where everyone contributes to developing the larger narrative of the ongoing situation.

Improvements In Recruit Fitness During A 6-week Firefighter Training Academy

Firefighting is a unique and dangerous career in that, unlike some sports and careers that primarily focus on one training goal, firefighters (FFs) must train both aerobic and anaerobic systems. The leading cause for death of on-duty FFs is sudden cardiac events. Emphasizing physical training early in a firefighters career (academy training) has the potential to impact fitness and perceptions of the importance of fitness, and hence to decrease the risk of sudden cardiac events. PURPOSE: Examine physical fitness parameters, assessed during the first and last week of a 6-wk firefighter (FF) training academy, in male recruit FFs from 2004 through 2016 to establish the effectiveness of the training regimen employed by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI). METHODS: Participants were male FF recruits (N = 383; 26.2 ± 4.2 yrs, M ± SD) from the IFSI who completed baseline fitness measures including measures of weight, estimated VO2max (1.5-mi run), muscular endurance (60-s sit-ups, 60-s push-ups, bench press), and flexibility (sit and reach). Following the 6-wk fire academy, which included daily physical training, recruit FFs repeated the fitness test battery. RESULTS: Results indicated significant improvements (Mdiff± SE; all Ps < 0.001) for weight (1.12 ± 0.14 kg, Cohen’s d = 0.08), 1.5-mile run (0.92 ± 0.04 min, d = 0.57), 60-s sit-ups (5.11 ± 0.25 reps, d = 0.60), 60-s push-ups (13.21 ± 0.38 reps, d = 1.08), bench press [i.e., 38.6 kg; 2.56 ± 0.26 reps, d = 0.23), and flexibility (2.15 ± 0.19 cm, d = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Following a 6-wk training academy, including daily physical training, recruit FFs made significant improvements in weight, BMI, estimated VO2max, three measures of muscular endurance, and flexibility. Since the majority of on-duty deaths can be attributed to stress or overexertion-related cardiac events, it is important to recognize the importance of a varied fitness regimen for FFs’ health as well as performance. All areas of fitness need to be examined with training modalities and performance goals that are consistent with the physical demands of firefighting.

Supporting Urban Search and Rescue with digital assessments of structures and requests of response resources

First responders, including structural engineers and firefighters, inspect buildings and identify the structural integrity of buildings within a disaster affected area. The performance of their inspection and dissemination of the assessment information are critical to Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) operations. This paper presents an innovative approach for structural assessment and resource requests through an application – Supporting Urban Preparedness and Emergency Response using Mobile Ad hoc Network (SUPER-MAN). The goal of this research is to address challenges encountered in the current practice for structural engineers and first responders to inspect and disseminate building damage assessments and resource requests more efficiently to support US&R. The SUPER-MAN system is equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, as the storage device of assessment information on the disaster site, and a Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) with a Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) implementation for communication. SUPER-MAN strengthens responders’ situational awareness, reduces confusion of inconsistent assessment formats, and automates information dissemination and editing. As a result, lifesaving operations are adequately prioritized, risk of first responders are minimized, and requests of response resources are facilitated. Results obtained from field trials carried out at the Illinois Fire Service Institute with a simulated disaster scenario and computer simulations of the MANET are presented to highlight the benefits provided by SUPER-MAN.

Equipment Distribution for Structural Stabilization and Civilian Rescue

The efficiency of Urban Search and Rescue operations depends on the supply of appropriate equipment and resources, and an efficient damage assessment facilitates deployment of these resources. This paper presents an Information Technology (IT) supported system for on-site data collection to communicate structural condition, track search and rescue status, and request and allocate appropriate resources. The system provides a unified interface for efficient gathering, storing, and sharing of building assessment information. Visualization and access of such information enable rescuers to respond to the disaster more efficiently with better situational awareness. The IT system also provides an interface for electronic resource requests to a geospatial resource repository service that enables a spatial disaster management environment for resource allocation. Request and deployment of critical resources through this system enables lifesaving efforts, with the appropriate equipment, operator, and materials, to become more efficient and effective. System development at the Illinois Fire Service Institute has shown promising results.

Illinois Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths Digital Image Collection Database: A Knowledge Management Initiative

“IFLODD: The Illinois Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths Digital Image Collection Database” is a knowledge management initiative at the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It collects and provides Internet access to a multi-dimensional dataset of photographs and fire department records that document Illinois firefighters who died in the line of duty. This paper discusses the development, maintenance, and management of IFLODD through grant funding, in-house administrative support, and community partnership. It also describes how IFLODD contributes to IFSI’s teaching, training, and research efforts and how it has been recognized in the fire service and Library and Information Science communities.

Mobile Ad Hoc Network-Enabled Collaboration Framework Supporting Civil Engineering Emergency Response Operations

This paper presents an information-technology-based collaboration framework that facilitates disaster response operations. The collaboration framework incorporates a web collaboration service, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, a building blackbox system (BBS), a geo-database, and a geographic information system (GIS). Through the integration of these technologies, the framework provides a collaboration medium for first responders, including civil engineers, to cohesively respond to disasters. Access to critical building information, such as construction documents, through the BBS supports assessments of building integrity during disaster response. Building assessment information is stored on RFID tags, which are accessible to first responders through digital devices via a wireless ad hoc network. With on-site assessment information shown on a digital map, decision makers locate, collect, and distribute critical resources through the GIS to first responders. In addition, the decision makers at distributed locations evaluate the incident through discussion sessions, hosted by the web collaboration environment, for integrated decision making. Test-bed simulations for the framework have been carried out with encouraging results at the training ground of the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

A nature-inspired decentralized trust model to reduce information unreliability in complex disaster relief operations

One of the foremost challenges confronting society today is the vulnerability of critical physical infrastructures in urban areas to extreme events. The major challenge in these scenarios despite the availability of the means of communication (e.g. ad-hoc networks, hand held devices) is the lack of trust among the first responders due to their having no prior experience of interactions amongst themselves. Also the spreading of inaccurate or misleading information can have disastrous consequences in the chaotic and hazardous environments which are prevalent in large-scale disasters. Therefore it is imperative that the responders possess the ability to assess and evaluate the trustworthiness as well as the information propagated by fellow responders in order to facilitate collaboration. This paper presents a decentralized trust model to enhance reliable information dissemination in large-scale disasters. The model proposed includes a distributed recommendation scheme, incorporated into an existing membership maintenance service for ad-hoc networks. In addition it has a nature-inspired activation spreading mechanism that allows trust-based information propagation. Search and Rescue exercises involving civil engineers and firefighters were conducted at the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) to test the software. The upshot of the simulation was immediate and robust establishment of trust and high resilience to the spread of the unreliable information.

Designing and Developing Internet Reference Services to Support Firefighter Distance Learners in Illinois

SUMMARY This article discusses issues surrounding the development of a small special library's Internet reference services to support firefighter distance learners for the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute's (IFSI) online Firefighter II Certification Program, the first of its kind in the nation. Planning for the Internet reference services involves consideration of user needs, funding, staff management, and collection development. In addition, this article explores how the IFSI Library has established a collaboration and partnership with the online course and Information Technology teams, and local public and community college libraries.

Meeting Changing Information Needs of Illinois Firefighters

The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Library, established in 1990 to support instructional teaching and research, continued to support the academic programs in the Institute while initiating and developing its Outreach Program in 1998. This program provides library and information services to Illinois fire departments and firefighters throughout the state. Since establishing the Outreach Program, the IFSI Library has accumulated more than 7,000 entries in a “Reference Request Database.” This paper reports and analyzes the data, including request methods, delivery methods, types of requests, and types of resources. Trends indicate a change over time in request and delivery methods. Different regions of the state and different user groups have begun to use the library. The research can serve as a model for designing, developing and evaluating outreach reference service in a special or small library dedicated to meeting the information needs of remote library users.

Providing Better Subject Access to Nonprint Fire Emergency Materials for Illinois Firefighters

SUMMARY The Illinois Fire Service Institute Library (FSI Library) has the most comprehensive and popular nonprint fire emergency collection in Illinois. Besides providing descriptive cataloging for nonprint materials, the Library assigns in-depth subject terms and modified Library of Congress Classification to the catalog records. The Library reviewed its subject list and found numerous inconsistencies and duplications, because catalog records are acquired from sources using different subject vocabularies. The Library began a project in August 1999 to map the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) from the National Library of Medicine, and other fire vocabulary systems. The project developers created FireTalk, a new FSI thesaurus with a mix of LCSH, MeSH terms (identified as such), plus more specific fire science terms. FireTalk is used with the Library's Online Public Access Catalog at the Institute's website to enhance retrieval of relevant bibliographic citations and facilitate multiple database searching.