Research Staff

University of Brighton Staff Team

Fire Health Research Email

Alan is a Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton. His research focuses on human tolerance to severe heat and hypoxic exposure. He has been doing research work for the fire service for the past 8 years.

Alan's Research

Dr Emily Watkins

Emily is a lecturer at the University of Roehampton. Emily completed her PhD on the physiological and health consequences of Fire Instructor working practices at the University of Brighton. She continues to develop research on a number of firefighter health issues.

Emily's Research

Prof Peter Watt

Peter is an associate professor at the University of Brighton, investingating human metabolism and the effects of exercise, nutrition and environmental factors on key regulatory processes. For this project Peter will be leading the measurement and analysis of contaminants.

Peter's Research

Dr Mark Hayes

Mark is a Senior Lecturer in exercise and environmental physiology at the University of Brighton. Mark's research looks at the thermoregulation and methods that can improve tolerance to heat.

Mark's Research

Funding

We have gratefully received funding support for various projects from the Fire Research and Training Trust, the Worshipful Company of Firefghters, the University of Brighton, the South East Regional Services, Firefit and the Fire Brigades Union.

Fire Trust

FBU

NFCC Fire Fit

University of Brighton

Worshipful Company of Firefighters Website.

Funding from the Worshipful Company of Firefighters

We are proud and grateful to have recieved a grant from the Worshipful Company of Firefighters to help complete our work on the effects of menstrual cycle phase and menopause on thermal tolerance in female firefighters. The testing is currently being carried out and due to complete in May, with the report due to be released in Summer 2020.

UK Fire Service Research Supporters

None of this work could be done without the help of firefighters, instructors and staff managers supporting the work and ensuring it can be conducted in a safe and effective manner over the country.

This whole research programme was started by Mick South, Matt Lloyd and Matt Starkey at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the South East BA Health Mangement Group, who approached us about Fire Instructor health. Since then studies have progressed over the past 7 years and developed into research projects that have the potential to drive knowledge and implement change.

We would also like to thank the NFCC Research & Development team and Fire Brigades Union, that has allowed these projects to develop into something of national and international importance.