Decision Aid for the Fire Brigade

This research is being conducted by Nathan Perry, Associate Professor Mark Wiggins (MARCS Auditory Laboratories at the University of Western Sydney), Professor Gerard Fogarty (University of Southern Queensland) and Dr Merilyn Childs (University of Western Sydney). The aim of this study is to investigate how information is acquired and how decisions are made in operational environments.

During the study, you will be presented with three scenarios relating to your work. You will be asked to read the scenario, and come up with the most accurate and timely decision possible. Information pertaining to the scenario can be accessed by mouse click on the computer screen. All information will be presented on the computer. The study should take no more than one hour to complete.

It is important to remember that your participation in this study is confidential, and that no individual results will be made available. You should also note that you are under no obligation to complete the study and you may withdraw at any time without consequence. If you do experience the symptoms of anxiety as a result of your participation in this study, please contact Suzanne Kempton at the Western Sydney Psychological Health Clinic (PsyWest) (Ph: 9772 6686). The results of the research will be presented at conferences and published in scientific and scholarly journals. A copy of the results of this study will be available as an industry summary for 1 December 2008. It will be available for download from the following website: www.marcs.uws.edu.au.

We appreciate your participation in this study and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nathan Perry.

Nathan Perry
Ph: (02) 9772 6573
Email: n.perry@uws.edu.au