QIMR Berghofer is inviting current and former firefighters to take part in R-FIRE: Brain Health — the Rural Firefighter Investigation of Risk and Exposure.
The national study aims to better understand how exposure to bushfire smoke and firefighting-related experiences may affect long-term health and wellbeing, with a focus on brain health.
Who can participate?
The study is open to people aged 18 or older who are current or former firefighters in Australia, paid or volunteer, and who have been exposed to bushfire smoke through their firefighting work. This includes prescribed burns and hazard-reduction burns.
What does participation involve?
Participants first read the study information and provide consent, then complete an online firefighter-specific survey. The survey takes around 20 minutes. Optional additional components are explained on the study website.
Participation is entirely voluntary. The research is conducted independently by QIMR Berghofer and has approval from its Human Research Ethics Committee. Individual participant information is confidential and is not shared with fire services, employers or brigade leaders.
QAFA is sharing the invitation to help members find out about the study. Participation and enquiries are handled directly by the research team.
Read the study details and find out how to participate
Questions about the study?
Contact the research team at R-FIRE@qimrb.edu.au, or use the contact details on the official study webpage.