Speakers: Robin Verble, PhD

Robin Verble, PhD

Professor of Biological Sciences
Missouri University of Science & Technology

 

Dr. Robin Verble is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science & Technology where she leads and coordinates the Environmental Science degree program and conducts research related to wildland fire occupational and environmental health. Previously, she was an Associate Professor of Fire Ecology and Management in the Department of Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech University. She holds graduate degrees in applied biology and entomology from the University of Arkansas System and an undergraduate degree in biophysics from the University of Southern Indiana. She is a current member of the Missouri Prescribed Fire Council executive board and a former member of the Texas Prescribed Burn Board.

 

Careers on Fire—Occupational and environmental factors influencing wildland firefighter success and performance

Wildfires are becoming increasingly common events across US landscapes. Wildland firefighters are those individuals that conduct fire suppression and management activities in these natural environments. Across the United States, approximately 15,000 individuals are federally employed in this field. Wildland firefighting poses unique physical, physiological, and psychological challenges that are distinct from those associated with structural firefighting. Our recent work has elucidated patterns in occupational stress, mental health, and errors/workload that can inform future policy and occupational health standards. We found that rates of anxiety, depression, suicidality, and stress-related illness far exceed national averages in this population. Further, we found connections between elevated stress and error rates under high workload scenarios. These interconnected results provide us with a greater understanding of the factors influencing wildland firefighter occupational performance.