The work of wildfire brigade members in the Amazon: what does ergonomic work analysis reveal?

Heatwaves and prolonged droughts intensify and expand the occurrence of forest fires. Wildfire brigade members play a crucial frontline role in fire suppression.

To understand how Brazilian wildfire brigade members organize their work, identify risks present in real work situations, and propose public health recommendations.

This qualitative study was conducted using ergonomic work analysis and primary data collection. The analysis included prescribed work, nonsystematic observations of real work activities, and collective and individual interviews with 20 temporary workers hired by federal environmental agencies.

Wildfire brigade members play a central role in fire management, contributing to the preservation of Amazonian biodiversity and sociobiodiversity. Real work demands high physical effort during fire suppression, leading to reports of fatigue, exhaustion, and injuries such as cuts and abrasions. The main contradiction identified concerns access to firefighting areas, which requires constant adjustments and regulations according to the conditions encountered during actual work.

Despite the significant socioenvironmental value and strategic importance of wildfire brigade members in responding to the climate crisis, structural vulnerabilities remain in work organization and social protection. These findings underscore the need for public policies that ensure decent working conditions. Based on the ergonomic analysis, we present public health recommendations applicable to wildfire brigade members across different regions.