Fire Fighting Task Force (FIRE)

Abstract : This study is part of a continuing effort to develop soldier data and performance algorithms (pergorithms) needed to represent soldiers in the CAA combat models. Difficult-to-quantify factors of combat are present in forest fire fighting--fear, continuous operations, uncertainty. A task force of analysts and research personnel form CAA, ARI, HEL, and WRAIR studied soldiers who fought forest fires in and around Yellowstone National Park during 1988. Every aspect of the forest fire fight stressed soldiers--from the deployment process, to fire fighting, to physical requirements, to boredom experienced when performing fuel reduction duties or waiting to find out where and what they would do today. Cumulative stress levels were significantly higher than the Army has previously measured in controlled settings. The physical stress was greater than that for which soldiers train. Keywords: Stress(physiology), Human factors, Combat models, Fire fighting, and physical training, Physical fitness.