Hsiao-Wecksler Receives IL Homeland Security Grant

Assistant Professor Elizabeth Hsiao-Wecksler will be part of an interdisciplinary team investigating the effects of self-contained breathing apparatus on gait and balance among first responders, under a seed grant from the Illinois Homeland Security Research Center (IHSRC). The IHSRC Seed Grant Program assists University of Illinois scholars to develop proofs of concept for projects that define and address critical challenges in homeland security and emergency preparedness.

Slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of firefighter injury on the fireground. Hsiao-Wecksler, Professor Karl Rosegren of the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health and Tad Schroeder, Assistant Fire Fighting Program Director at the U of I Fire Service Institute will explore how gait and balance are affected by the weight distribution of self-contained breathing apparatus.