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Updated: Aug 25, 2025
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Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
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Sleep, Workload, and Stress in Aerial Firefighting Crews
Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance
|October 16, 2022
Summary
Australian aerial firefighters experienced increased fatigue and cortisol levels after night flights, despite adequate sleep. Mental demand and performance were the most taxing aspects of their demanding job.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Occupational health
- Aviation safety
Background:
- Climate change necessitates advanced wildfire suppression strategies, including expanding aerial firefighting capabilities in Australia.
- Aerial firefighting operations are transitioning from day to night, utilizing night vision systems, which may increase crew demands.
- Understanding the physiological and psychological impacts on aerial firefighting crews during these extended operations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sleep, fatigue, and performance in Australian aerial firefighting crews undertaking extended operations.
- To assess the impact of night aerial firefighting on crew well-being and operational effectiveness.
- To identify key stressors and demands associated with aerial firefighting.
Main Methods:
- A 21-day protocol involving nine subjects.
- Daily sleep and duty diaries with fatigue and workload ratings.
- Salivary cortisol, heart rate variability, and actigraphy for objective sleep and stress measurement.
Main Results:
- Subjects generally achieved over 7 hours of sleep before flights.
- Post-flight, cortisol levels and self-reported fatigue increased significantly.
- Workload was highest in performance and mental demand categories during flights.
Conclusions:
- Night aerial firefighting operations present significant physiological and psychological challenges for crews.
- Further research is essential to fully understand the long-term impacts on sleep, stress, and workload.
- Findings highlight the need for strategies to mitigate fatigue and manage workload in this high-demand profession.
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