2024 AIHA BC Yukon AGM Feature Speaker
Drew Lichty, MSc
Presentation Topic
“Occupational Hygiene Efforts in Wildland Firefighting”
Presentation Brief Description
This presentation will cover a broad cross-section of health research conducted by the Research & Innovation Business Area within British Columbia Wildfire Service, through the lens of Occupational Hygiene. Topics will include wildfire smoke exposure, respiratory protection, carbon monoxide, and dermal decontamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Biography
Drew graduated from the UBC Occupational and Environmental Hygiene program in 2023 and is now working as an Occupational Hygienist at Canada Wildfire. Drew works closely with the British Columbia Wildfire Service Research & Innovation Business Area, to facilitate health research initiatives and bridge the gap between research outcomes and actionable OHS programming. He has spent the last two summers conducting occupational hygiene research in the field, working directly with British Columbian wildland firefighters on the front-line assessing exposure to carbon monoxide and wildfire smoke. Applying his hygiene expertise to the wildfire environment is challenging and exciting, and Drew looks forward to continuing to support those who risk so much to protect life and property in the face of ever-worsening wildfire seasons.