Many people still see a firefighters’ role as an unchanging fight to respond to emergencies and keep us safe.
However, in reality this is an industry which is constantly evolving due to changes in climate, the make-up of the workforce, and the need to move towards a sustainable future.
These changes lean into three strands where innovation of personal protective equipment (PPE) must continue to develop to ensure firefighters are fully equipped to tackle these new challenges: inclusivity, adaptability and sustainability.
Manufacturers for the firefighting industry must ensure innovative production efforts respond to these three key themes so the needs of the modern firefighter are met, whilst also maintaining a continuous look towards the future of PPE, in particular PPE footwear.
Innovation in inclusivity
With the fire sector being a largely male industry, the fit and form of PPE for female firefighters can be sidelined.
For example, there is an estimated 3,184 female firefighters in the UK, a number which is growing annually, yet there is a need for PPE footwear and workwear to be designed with women in mind.
This is crucial in enabling comfort, safety and protection for women, as well as making them feel seen within the industry.
Firefighters, such as Caillin Tyler at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, query the one-size-fits-all approach to PPE and encourage manufacturers to look at the design variations which could help solve issues such as discomfort and inadequate fit.
Caillin comments: “Poorly fitting boots greatly increases our chance of injury.
A knock-on effect of this is that our fitness is affected, as we may have to go on rest or be unable to exercise which impacts our ability to carry out our work effectively.”
Manufacturers such as HAIX, the high-quality, functional footwear provider, have created boots specifically to support the individual.
A common misconception is that this has to be a boot just for women.
Rather, it is more important to put thought and investment into how the boots can be adapted to fit each and every firefighter, irrelevant of whether it is for a male or female worker.
Such designs are driven by innovative techniques and advancements in material, structure and comfort.
For example, the Fire Eagle 2.0 prioritizes being lightweight and having a unique lacing system which ensures a compact fit at the bottom with a looser fit around the ankle to be protective but leave room for natural movement.
This allows the boot to mold to the wearer and also to the activity they are doing, whether that be driving a fire engine, tackling house fires, or attending incidences in the forest.
Additionally, to understand what the individual requires, manufacturers must speak to firefighters on their experiences and address key concerns around PPE performance and requirements.
Events and trade shows provide a great opportunity to gather this information firsthand and exchange knowledge and expertise across the sector, which can then be incorporated into better, more responsive boot designs.
Innovation in adaptability
As well as changes within the firefighter demographics, there are also new demands due to changing weather conditions and fire risks.
One of which is the rise in wildfires in the not just in the UK but across the world, which requires a different set of skills and, alongside this, a different approach to PPE footwear.
Wildfires require high levels of footwear protection but also boots which adhere to different terrains, from slippery woodland grounds to coping with obstacles such as fallen branches.
A combination of heavily structural boots with excellent protection against sharp objects and heat, as well as a lightweight and flexible fit to allow easy movement and prolonged wearing, is now necessary to prepare firefighters facing extreme elements.
Innovative solutions to the ever-changing climate that firefighters tackle exists in the PPE footwear sector with products such as the Special Fighter Pro, Fire Eagle 2.0 and Missoula 2.0 by HAIX, offering versatility, protection and comfort.
These boots have been specifically created so that firefighters can tackle urban and wildfire incidences effectively.
Innovation in sustainability
Sustainable practices within PPE have become a critical focus with a much-needed shift away from the narrative that manufacturing these types of products eco-consciously is too difficult.
From the materials to the production methods, companies are putting more focus on durability in their products to not only benefit the wearer, but also the environment.
Through working with local suppliers rather than large-scale global supply chains, companies have a better understanding of where materials are coming from and whether such producers also follow ethical practices.
Optimizations within the production factory and powering sites through renewable energy also assists in making the development of PPE a more eco-conscious one.
Footwear, as with other manufacturing items, can be recycled, creating a circular process.
An effective way in which circularity can be implemented is through a repair service.
HAIX is one such manufacturer that has implemented this initiative to great success and in 2023, over 12,500 shoes were repaired and returned to their owners rather than being discarded.
Once the footwear has been maximized and used to its full potential, materials go through a complex recycling process which helps reduce the volume of waste and allows the use of waste to be used as an energy source, contributing to the conservation of natural resources.
Conclusion
The firefighting industry is making impressive innovative improvements within PPE, in particular, footwear.
There is better collaboration between manufacturers and the end user to ensure changing needs are met, addressing the requirements of the role.
Companies are also making investments into being more sustainable which will have paramount impacts on the environment, the customers and the manufacturers themselves.
Innovation has no end date or completion goal.
It is an ever-changing and ongoing process, which requires a unified and open-minded industry.
Overall, the firefighter sector has seen positive development in relation to PPE manufacturing and products, which continues to advance every day.
