This project will investigate the multifaceted nature of heat stress experienced by first responders. The research will create a clear understanding of heat stress within the sector by looking at a variety of factors including environmental, physiological and occupational.
This project is currently open for Expressions of Interest.
Project teams responding to this call for Expressions of Interest (see PDF in top-right corner) are required to submit their response using the Centre’s current EOI submission form.
EOI proposals are due by 5:00 pm AEST on 14 April 2025 to research@naturalhazards.com.au.
An online briefing is scheduled for 2:00 pm AEDT, 2 April 2025 to provide a more detailed briefing of the project and the opportunity for interested parties to pose specific questions. Register to attend by clicking the button at the top right of this page. Once completed, a recording of this webinar will be posted to the website to ensure all interested respondents have access to this information. Register here.
Project details
This project aims to investigate the complex nature of heat stress experienced by first responders, integrating various aspects, including environmental, physiological and occupational factors. By clarifying the interplay of these factors within the unique context of first responding, the project will develop a holistic understanding of heat stress within the sector.
The project will employ contemporary methods to better understand heat sources and heat-stress environments that first responders face in real-world scenarios. It will look at changes in environmental conditions, firefighter demographics including their life stages, event/incident intensity, impact of existing personal protective equipment and practices to mitigate the risk of heat stress.
Overall, this project seeks to empower stakeholders with comprehensive knowledge to reduce the risks associated with heat stress, protect first-responder health and enhance their resilience when facing the demanding conditions they encounter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q) Are the word limits in the submission form a guideline?
A) Each question in the submission form has a required word limit. Submissions with statements exceeding the word limit will be deemed non-compliant.
Q) What do you mean by “Total cumulative FTE contribution over the life of the project"?
A) This means the total FTE per person over the life of the project. Maximum total FTE for each person is 1.0. Cumulative is to add up all the personnel.
For example:
- If someone is contributing 1 FTE per year for three years, then their FTE is 1.000 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.1 FTE per year for three years, then their FTE is 0.100 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.05 FTE for two years of a three-year project, then their FTE 0.033 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.5 for two years and 0.1 for 1 years of a three-year project, then their FTE is 0.367 FTE
Q) Can the Centre connect interested parties with other agencies or organisations involved in developing this project, to discuss it further and assist in developing an EOI submission?
A) While an EOI is open for submissions, the Centre procurement processes don't allow Centre staff to connect interested parties, as this can cause conflicts of interest. However, interested parties are able to contact whomever they wish, excluding those organisations listed on the EOI, to discuss the project and explore opportunities for collaboration or potential consortium submissions. If an online project briefing has been organised for an EOI, we encourage interested parties to attend the briefing to ask questions and meet other interested parties.
Q) Can interested parties contact the Centre with questions about the project design before submitting?
A) While an EOI is open for submissions, Centre procurement processes don't allow Centre staff to share knowledge of the project design directly with interested parties. However, if you have questions, you can email research@naturalhazards.com.au and you will receive a timely response if appropriate, according to our procurement processes.
Q) Is there a preference for a project team to be from a single research organisation, or from across multiple organisations?
A) The Centre has no preference for either a single organisation or a multi-organisation project team. EOIs will be accepted from either and will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria in the same way.
Q) Can the proposed project team include researchers from government agencies or research consultancies, as well as university-based researchers?
A) EOIs will be accepted from multi-organisation project teams, and project teams can include researchers at government agencies and research consultancies. The proposed project team's capacity to undertake the project will be evaluated in the same way whether researchers are university-, consultancy- or agency-based.
Q) Would academic salaries (excluding administrative overheads) be eligible to budget?
A) Yes, academic salaries can be included within the project budget, but only when they are direct project costs and their salary is not already covered elsewhere. E.g. the salary costs of a contract researcher who is actively working on the project can be included up to the FTE component they are contributing. However, the salary costs of a tenured academic who is already paid through the university/research organisation would be included as an in-kind contribution up to the amount of their FTE contribution to the project.
Q) What do you mean by "peer review"?
A) This is a quality control process. Where requested, the final report must be reviewed by someone who is an expert in the field and independent of the project.
Q) At what rate can salary on-costs be charged?
A) Administrative overheads are limited to direct salary-related on-costs. Indirect cost recoveries are not to be included. Other administrative overheads and indirect costs can be included as in-kind contributions. Where the salary on-cost rate exceeds 28% this will need to be justified.
Q) Can equipment costs be included in the budget?
A) Ordinarily, project funds are not to be used to purchase equipment. Where funds for equipment are requested, they will need to be justified.
Q) Can international research teams apply? Alternatively, can international research teams be part of a consortium bid?
A) International research teams can be part of research projects when they are part of a consortium submission that is led by an Australian research organisation. The international team would need to be subcontracted by the lead Australian based research organisation. Please note that all budget submissions must be in Australian dollars and the lead organisation must bear the cost of funds transfer and responsibility for due diligence as required under Australian Foreign Interference regulations.
Q) Is there an option of registering my interest as an independent researcher that could assist a larger team or are you only able to consider proposals that address the entire project?
A) Yes, you can submit an EOI as an independent researcher addressing part of the project requirements. In the EOI submission form, please outline which aspects of the project you can address. Once the EOI closes, we can consider linking researchers together, although whether or not we can do that will depend on a range of factors, so we can’t guarantee that outcome. Of course, the other option is to reach out to potential collaborators now about putting in a joint EOI submission that addresses the entire project.
Q) Can our grant application include collaboration with other organisations not included in the supporting organisation list in the EOI? Are individuals from these supporting organisations are allowed to be listed as a CI as well as being listed as a supporting organisation?
A) Yes, you may collaborate with an organisation not included in the supporting agency list to develop your EOI. Yes, Individuals from supporting organisations may be nominated as CIs. Contribution with the project should be confirmed by the supporting organisation.
Q) Where can applicants find information about First Nations knowledge and IP as it relates to this project?
A) The Centre's web page outlines First Nations engagement resources, in addition to IP guidelines being outlined in the proposed form of contract available on the project page.
Q) Are stakeholders limited to “supporting organisations” listed within the EOI?
A) All stakeholders can be involved in this. But need to include the core stakeholders.
Q) Is it specifically about firefighters or does it include other first responders as well?
A) This project relates to all first responders.
Q) Can citations of academic work supporting the project proposal (i.e. a reference list) be a separate attachment document to the EOI submission form?
A) The last page of the submission form details the submission attachments. Additional attachments may not be considered by the Assessment panel. Please ensure any information to be considered by the panel is included within the submission form/listed attachments. Citations can be summarised/listed in CV's for project team members or in the Statement of capability section (within word limits/page limits).
Q) Can letters of support from supporting organisations listed in the EOI document be included in the application or is that considered a conflict of interest?
A) Letters of support from key stakeholders are acceptable if the stakeholder has not been involved in the concept submission for this project or taken part in the EOI procurement process. The supporting stakeholders can be found in the EOI document.
Q) Can an individual be a part of a research team as part of multiple different submissions.
A) Yes, a researcher can be a part of a research team as part of multiple different submissions.