THEME

environment Australia is one of the most bushfire prone countries in the world.1 Fire fighters from Australia’s regional fire brigades and land management agencies protect people and property from the annual bushfire threat. Fire fighters work long hours in hot, smoky conditions, often at risk to their physical health. Preserving fire fighters ’ health is the responsibility of fire agencies and their operational personnel and occupational health and safety staff, in consultation with medical practitioners who have experience in occupational medicine. Occupational health and safety services are often centrally administered, limiting access for fire fighters living in remote communities. Therefore, fire fighters may turn to their local general practitioner fo