GEAR FIT
Making the Job Better Through Science:
Advancing PPE Fit for Women Firefighters
In this Women in Fire webinar, Women in Fire President Rachael Staebell, Dr. Meredith McQuerry (Florida State University), and Dr. Cassandra Kwon (NC State University) discuss groundbreaking research on personal protective equipment (PPE) for female firefighters. Sponsored by Lion.
Topics covered:
• Why 80% of women firefighters report ill-fitting gear
• First-ever database of female firefighter body measurements
• How to participate in a nationwide body scanning study
• Fit vs. function testing for turnout gear and wildland PPE
• Changes to NFPA 1950 and 1970 standards
BE A PART OF THE SCIENCE!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Original Female Firefighter PPE Review Article (linked here):
https://www.emerald.com/rjta/article-abstract/23/2/94/366442/A-critical-review-of-female-firefighter-protective?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Women in the fire service are DIFFERENT from women in the general U.S. population:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437525000428
How do NFPA 1950 sizing standards for wildland firefighting PPC currently fit women in the fire service?:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10803548.2025.2492947
Open Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/270
Link to NFPA website/project resource page:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/fire-protection-research-foundation/projects-and-reports/female-firefighter-ppe-research
This study is designed to improve the understanding of the body dimensions and physical characteristics of U.S. female firefighters.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE FULL PDF
Researchers are collecting voluntary 3D body scans and basic measurements such as height and weight to help inform future design and fit of personal protective equipment (PPE), turnout gear, and other equipment used in the fire service.
Participation is simple and can be completed remotely using a smartphone and the MeThreeSixty body scanning app. After completing a short consent form, participants create an account in the app, enter their measurements, and complete a guided body scan at home.
The scan data is then securely shared with the research team. This information will help researchers and manufacturers better understand the physical diversity of women in the fire service and support improvements in gear safety, comfort, and performance.
Active duty U.S. female firefighters who are interested in contributing to this important effort are encouraged to participate.
Over the past decade, the number of female firefighters has increased. The 2020 US Fire Department Profile found that approximately 90,000 female firefighters comprise 9 percent of all firefighters in the country, with about 17,200 in paid roles and 72,400 in volunteer roles. However, many women firefighters, especially volunteers, often receive handed-down gear meant for men.
Securing the right fit entails more than merely downsizing. Women's sizes differ significantly from men's, not only in scale but also in proportion, necessitating gear that is appropriately tailored to their needs and proportions.
Studies have revealed that up to 80 percent of female firefighters encounter problems with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that doesn't fit properly. Ill-fitting gear, including firefighter gloves, boots, bunker pants, and coats, is not only uncomfortable but also poses a safety risk. It can lead to accidents such as trips and falls, hindered mobility, and injuries while using firefighting equipment.
Authors: Meredith McQuerry - Florida State University, Cassandra Kwon - North Carolina State University, Madeline Poley-Bogan
Resource Links
Authors: Meredith McQuerry - Florida State University, Cassandra Kwon - North Carolina State University
Women Firefighters & Gear Fit Infographic - taken from a presentation by Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
click on image to view & download PDF