Research on health interventions for firefighters

Firefighter Collaborative Research Project

This study is testing different health programs to see if they can help firefighters reduce their risk of heart and other diseases linked to harmful chemicals they might have been exposed to.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1500 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Arizona (Academic / other)
• Locations: 7 sites (Gilbert, Arizona and 6 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05869747 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to evaluate various interventions designed to reduce cardiovascular, cognitive, and overall disease risks among firefighters, particularly those related to exposure to Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 firefighters will be enrolled, and those interested will be screened for eligibility based on their PFAS levels and survey responses. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of several intervention groups, including blood donation, plasma donation, or training programs. The study will also involve the collection of blood and urine samples for analysis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are active firefighters, including emergency medical responders, who plan to remain in service for at least two more years.

Not a fit: Patients who are not active firefighters or those planning to retire or resign within the next two years may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the health outcomes of firefighters by reducing disease risks associated with their profession.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies focusing on health interventions for firefighters have shown promise, indicating that this approach is both relevant and potentially effective.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* • Active firefighter (including emergency medical responder and all firefighter subgroups) with either a volunteer or career status

  * Individual plans to remain in active service with their current agency for the next 2 years (not planning to retire or resign)
  * 18 years of age and older
  * Fluently speak and write in English
  * All genders, races, and ethnicities
  * Enrolled in the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS) prior to enrolling in the Firefighter Collaborative Research Project (FCRP)
  * Complete a signed and dated informed consent document that indicates the participant has been informed of all aspects of the study prior to enrollment
  * Agree to avoid participating in FCRP intervention activities outside of their assigned intervention group for the duration of the study
  * Able to comply with scheduled visits, laboratory tests and other study procedures
  * BMI of 17.5 kg/m2 or greater and be greater than 115 pounds
  * Must also be eligible to donate blood and blood-based products if randomized into the blood or plasmapheresis intervention groups

Exclusion criteria from overall study:

* Not able to fluently speak or write in English
* Less than 18 years of age
* Currently a tobacco smoker or vaping (e.g. \>2 cigarettes or cigars, or incidents of vaping in the past month)
* Those with planned travel or extended leave (e.g. \>6 weeks) that would prevent their ability to participate in other interventions
* Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have given birth within the past year
* Those with a history or diagnosis of any significant metabolic, hematologic, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immune, hepatic, renal, urological disorders, severe injury or cancer that, in the opinion of the investigator, would potentially put the candidate at risk.

Exclusion criteria from blood or plasma donation intervention:

* Those from departments outside the state of Arizona
* Those with any medical contraindication (medical condition or medication) to blood donation
* Those that donated blood or plasma in the past three months
* Those knowing they have a condition indicative of levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, or iron below the lower limit of normal levels

Exclusion criteria from the intermittent fasting intervention:

* Those from departments outside the state of Arizona
* Those with a history or diagnosis of diabetes, hypoglycemia thyroid disease, and/or an eating disorder
* Those who recently participated in intermittent fasting or Time Restricted Eating
* Those that recently used antidiabetic medication such as Semaglutide (sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus) or Tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or for weight loss will also be excluded from this group.
* Use of drugs that might affect intermittent fasting or eating behaviors

Exclusion from the zone-2 physical activity intervention:

• Currently participating in more than 90 minutes per week of aerobic, cardiovascular training (e.g. jogging, cycling, walking, swimming, HIIT) at \>60% of their max heart rate.

Where this trial is running

Gilbert, Arizona and 6 other locations

• Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department — Gilbert, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
• Green Valley Fire — Green Valley, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
• Tucson Fire Department Headquarters — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
• Tucson Fire Department Station 9 — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
• University of Arizona — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
• Northwest Fire District — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
• Drexel Heights Fire — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Olivia Healy

Conditions Exposure; Cardiopulmonary; Firefighters