AMES, Iowa -- Firefighters risk their lives in the line of duty, so it's imperative that their protective gear -- boots, gloves and clothing -- performs at peak efficiency. But a team of Iowa State University researchers say new evidence has led to growing concerns about the gear's performance.
That's why Young-A Lee and Jessica Barker, assistant professors of apparel, educational studies, and hospitality management, have teamed up with physiological conditioning experts and kinesiology professors Warren Franke and Rick Sharp on a research project designed to improve the effectiveness of gear for both male and female firefighters.
Iowa State is one of eight universities (Cornell, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma State, UC-Davis) participating in the research, which is part of a United States Department of Agriculture's multi-state research project, "Personal Protective Technologies for Current and Emerging Occupational Hazards." ISU's team is funded by a College of Human Sciences intramural seed grant.
Collecting data from statewide firefighters
Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, the ISU researchers are collecting data from local firefighters about not only the fit and function of their current gear, but also how the body and surrounding gear respond in high temperatures.
"We've seen a great response from local firefighters who are willing to participate and help us in whatever way possible," Barker said. "Previous research has often focused on protective aspects, which are very important, but we're learning [through focus groups] that comfort - which impacts performance - is very important to the firefighters. It's interesting to think of the conflicting roles a garment can have - and exciting to think of the ways we can work to improve it."
Using a 3-D body scanner, Lee scans firefighters in their gear in various "working" positions to gain a better understanding of how the protective clothing helps or hinders their movements. Based on these findings, the apparel researchers will work toward creating better-fitting and more comfortable, functional gear for firefighters of all sizes and shapes. Lee said this research also opens many doors for incorporating smart clothing technology.
"A better sense of how and why this protective clothing works and fits as it does will be very instrumental to firefighters and the companies that create this gear," said Lee, who is a protective clothing researcher. "With data findings that support the need for better protection, we can expand the scope of our research to include [apparel for] police officers, members of the armed forces, and [hazardous material] crews."
Simulating high heat environments
In studying the performance of the protective gear, the ISU researchers need to simulate the environment where the gear is worn. To do this, Franke and Sharp created a thermal stress chamber which puts subjects through lifelike physical and environmental demands, using cardio machines and extreme heat to simulate firefighting activity.
"In this portion of the study, firefighters will come in twice -- once in regular workout clothes and once in their firefighter gear -- to test their physiological responses," said Franke, director of ISU's Exercise Clinic. "The intent is to have them exercise [both times] at an intensity similar to that of going into a fire -- but they will be on a treadmill. We will manipulate the heat of the chamber and increase the physical demands, then measure their core temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and skin temperature."
Sharp already has a proven record on improving performance in athletic gear as one of the designers of Speedo's LZR Racer swimsuit, which was worn by most of the top swimmers at last summer's Beijing Olympics, including Michael Phelps.
The research team hopes to use the results from this study to apply for larger grants, which will allow them to create and conduct more experiments involving protective and functional clothing material, design and application. According to Lee, they hope to have a prototype design of possible changes to the gear sometime within the next few years.
The team members say this research goes a long way in making a dangerous profession more comfortable for the individuals who put their lives on the line daily.
"A big part of a firefighter's job is protecting others -- but they also need protection from the heat, ash, and hazards that come with their job," said Barker. "They are an important part of our communities."
