Investigation of Female Firefighter Fit and Ergonomics in Structural Turnout Suits
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The first national meeting of textile and clothing professors took place in Madison, Wisconsin in June 1959. With a mission to advance excellence in education, scholarship and innovation, and their global applications, the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) is a professional and educational association of scholars, educators, and students in the textile, apparel, and merchandising disciplines in higher education.
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Abstract
Despite the growing number of women in firefighting, structural turnout suits are predominately designed to fit the male human form. 80% of female firefighters experience issues with ill-fitting garments. Improper fitting turnout suits may lead to restricted range-of-motion (ROM) when performing critical tasks. The purpose of this research was to assess issues of improper fit and garment design for female firefighters when wearing a structural turnout ensemble. Local firefighters, six female and six male, were recruited to complete a user needs survey and to be body scanned in three garment configurations: base layers (BL), turnout suit (TS), and turnout ensemble (TE). Each subject conducted an ergonomic protocol while wearing all garment configurations. Data from the survey, body scanning, and ergonomic wear trial was analyzed by gender to determine fit differences between male and female firefighters. Results demonstrated the additional fit issues female firefighters face compared to their male counterparts.