Examination of current U.S. female firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) sizing and fitting process challenges: an opportunity to improve safety
Loading...
Date
2022-11-25
Authors
Sokolowski, Susan L.
Griffin, Linsey
Wu, Yingying
McKinney, Ellen
Morris, Kristen
Bettencourt, Chrissy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SpringerOpen
Abstract
Between 2010 and 2014, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated
that female firefighters experienced 1260 injuries on the fireground each year. Previous
research attributed some of these injuries to ill-fitting fire personal protective
equipment (PPE). Therefore, in this mixed-method paper, the authors explored the
relationship between fire PPE and injuries, and how they related to sizing and fit. To
achieve this aim, data were collected from manufacturer-provided web communications
regarding sizing and fit, user surveys (n = 74), and 1:1 interviews (n = 31) with U.S.
female firefighters. The data considered how the size and fit standards established by
the NFPA and how leading fire PPE manufacturers’ interpretation of standards impacted
fit for female firefighters. Interview and survey data pinpointed experiences with the
PPE sizing processes that led to poor fit. The data also identified previously undocumented
knowledge gaps between NFPA size standards, commercialized products, and
processes used by manufacturers and firehouses to fit female practitioners. The study
discovered several opportunities to improve the size and fitting process women experienced
when acquiring new turnout gear. With effective fire industry partnerships and
future research, women can experience fewer injuries, improved comfort, and work
performance with their PPE while establishing equality with their male counterparts.
Description
26 pages
Keywords
Female firefighters, PPE, Sizing, Fit, NFPA standards
Citation
Sokolowski, S.L., Griffin, L., Wu, Y. et al. Examination of current U.S. female firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) sizing and fitting process challenges: an opportunity to improve safety. Fash Text 9, 40 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40691-022-00314-8