Firefighter Collaborative Research Project

The goal of this research is to test interventions to reduce firefighter cardiovascular, cognitive, and overall disease risks, including but not limited to risks associated with Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) exposure. Approximately 1,500 - 2,000 firefighters will be enrolled in the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS). Among these individuals, those that express interest will then be screened for eligibility for the Firefighter Collaborative Research Project (FCRP) using information they provided for the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study. Firefighters enrolled in the study will provide an initial blood sample and urine sample. The blood sample will be analyzed to determine the participant's PFAS levels. Based upon serum PFAS levels and responses from the screening survey, eligible participants will be randomly assigned into one of the following interventions: 1. Blood Donation, or Plasma Donation or Blood/Plasma Control Group; 2. Zone 2 Training or Zone 2 Control; 3. Intermittent Fasting or Intermittent Fasting Control. Individuals participating in the blood donation, plasma donation or blood/plasma control group would donate blood every 12 weeks, plasma every 6 weeks, or not donate blood or plasma. Participants in this intervention arm would continue this for a 12-month period. Individuals in the zone 2 training, zone 2 training control, intermittent fasting or intermittent fasting control group would participate in their intervention or control for a 4-month period. After 4 to 12 months participating in an intervention or control group, participants will be asked to provide a final urine sample and blood draw to determine if and to what degree their PFAS levels or other cardiovascular disease and other health risks have changed.


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.