Rural Firefighter Investigation of Risk and Exposure (R-FIRE)

What is the R-FIRE study?

The R-FIRE: Brain Health (Rural Firefighter Investigation of Risk & Exposure: Brain Health) study aims to better understand how exposure to bushfire smoke and firefighting conditions may affect long-term health and wellbeing, including brain health. The findings may help guide future health advice, prevention strategies, and support for firefighters.

The R-FIRE study is part of a larger study, called the Prospective Study of Ageing (PISA). The purpose of PISA is to look at different factors that might contribute to healthy ageing, and the development of age-related illnesses like dementia.

Participating in the study

What does the R-FIRE Study involve?

If you choose to participate, we will ask you to first read an information sheet and sign a consent form.
You will then complete a firefighter-specific survey, including questions about bushfire smoke exposure, personal protective equipment, and the health impacts of firefighting. The questionnaire will take around 20 minutes to complete.
After you finish the R-FIRE survey, we may ask you if you want to also take part in the PISA study. We will send more information about this if you complete R-FIRE. You do not have to take part in PISA to take part in the R-FIRE questionnaire.

PISA is a more general survey, including questions about demographics, medical history, lifestyle, and health. Completing this second survey allows us to link your firefighting experiences with detailed health and lifestyle information.

As part of PISA, you will be asked for permission to access your Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (MBS and PBS) information from the last five years. You can still complete the survey/s if you do not agree to this.
Lastly, as part of PISA you will be asked to complete some online brain games that measure brain health. These games take approximately 30 minutes to complete, and are also completely voluntary.
You don’t have to take part in all of these steps, and are welcome to do as much or as little of the study as you would like.

I am ready to participate – what next?

Click this link to read the study information sheet
Sign the consent form to confirm you consent to taking part in the study
Follow the prompts to begin the questionnaire

What if I don’t have computer/internet access?

Upon request, we can provide a paper copy of our questionnaire. Please contact us at R-FIRE@qimrb.edu.au to request a paper version if you are unable to access the online version.

Who is running the R-FIRE study?

This research is being led by Associate Professor Michelle Lupton (pictured above, centre), Team Head of The Neurogenetics and Dementia Research Group at QIMR Berghofer. QIMR Berghofer is a not-for-profit research institute located in Brisbane, Queensland. QIMR Berghofer is a world-leading medical research institute, renowned for our efforts in both discovery and translational (real patient setting) research. Dr Jodi Thomas (pictured above, left) is the associate investigator for the R-FIRE study, and Jessica Adsett (pictured above, right), is the study co-ordinator.

Who can participate in the R-FIRE study?

You are eligible to participate if you:

Are 18 years of age or older; and
Are a current or former firefighter in Australia (paid or volunteer, rural or metropolitan); and
Have worked or volunteered in a role involving exposure to bushfire smoke, either currently or in the past, including during prescribed burns or hazard-reduction burns.

Why should I participate?

Firefighters play a critical role in protecting communities. By sharing your experiences, you can help improve understanding of firefighter health and support future generations of firefighters. The findings from the R-FIRE study may help guide future health advice, prevention strategies, and support for firefighters.

Participating in the larger PISA study can make important contributions to improving understanding for researchers, and outcomes for those diagnosed with dementia in the future. The overall findings will help us to learn more about dementia and ageing generally, which will potentially benefit future generations.

The study is unlikely to be of any direct benefit to you, and this is not a treatment-based study or clinical trial.

How long does it take?

The firefighter-specific survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Participate in the Trial

Interested in applying?

Click the relevant link below

Frequently Asked Questions

Privacy and Data Security

Does this study have ethical approval?

Yes. This research has been approved by the QIMR Berghofer Human Research Ethics Committee (QIMRB-HREC).

Is the information I give you kept confidential?

Study participation is strictly confidential. All participant information provided will be maintained in accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act (1988) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines.
This research is being conducted independently by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. All information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for approved research purposes.
Your individual responses will remain confidential. Your data will not be sold or shared with anyone outside the approved research team. This means your information will not be shared with fire services, employers, brigade leaders, government agencies (unless required by law), or any other person or organisation outside the research team.
Taking part (or not taking part) will not affect your employment, volunteering role, or standing within any fire service, and will not affect your relationship with QIMR Berghofer.
All data for this study will be analysed and reported in aggregate. That means we will look at averages and trends in the data, instead of looking at individual responses. You will not be identified in any research publications or conference presentations, all information is presented at a group level, not an individual level.

How will my information be stored?

Your personal details (such as name and contact information) and your questionnaire responses will be stored in separate secure databases.
Both databases are protected by password security, firewalls, and restricted access controls.
The only link between your personal details and your survey data is a unique participant identification number. Only authorised members of the data collection research team can access the secure link between your identity and your participant identification number.
Access to these databases and samples are compartmentalized. The data collection team can access personal details and survey information needed to manage the study. Data analysts can access survey data only and cannot access identifying personal details. This separation of information helps protect your privacy and confidentiality.

Other Study Information and Support

Will I get results from the study?

While we cannot provide any individual participant data from this study, we will send updates regarding the R-FIRE and PISA studies via email, such as an update on our findings so far, or any papers published as a result of the research.

Where can I go for support if I find the questionnaire upsetting or triggering?

If you are experiencing mental health concerns or suicidal feelings, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Their phone service runs 24 hours a day.

Other resources for mental health assistance: