National research project explores current PPE experiences of female firefighters

Women frequently experience ill-fitting PPE and are often issued male-specific PPE. Ill-fitting PPE can significantly compromise both safety and performance. Movement restrictions caused by ill-fitting PPE can delay task completion and increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

I’m a practitioner fellow from the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services at Anglia Ruskin University and I’m currently leading a research project which aims to understand women’s experiences of uniform and PPE within the UK fire and rescue service, focusing on how ill-fitting PPE can affect comfort, safety, and physiological performance.

This project will consist of two studies aimed at answering the following research questions:

1. What are the perceived psychosocial barriers and facilitators experienced with uniform and operational PPE for female firefighters?

2. What are the physiological effects of ill-fitting operational PPE on operational performance for female firefighters?

The first study aims to understand the perceived barriers and facilitators of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for female firefighters by exploring the experiences had by current female firefighters from fire and rescue services in the UK. This study aims to address an identified gap in the existing literature, where previous research has tended to focus on theoretical issues with potential issues with PPE for female firefighters, but has not fully considered the first hand experiences of female firefighters.

By conducting a structured investigation using both online survey and online interview approaches, the study seeks to generate meaningful insights that can inform future research, policy, and practice for fire and rescue services in the UK. The overarching research question of this project is to develop a deeper understanding of what are the key themes associated with perceived barriers and facilitators of current fire service uniform and operational PPE by female firefighters in the UK?

The second study aims to understand the physiological effects of ill-fitting PPE for female firefighters whilst undertaking operational tasks. Previous research has highlighted potential physiological risks of ill-fitting PPE but to the authors knowledge, no study has directly measured these effects. This project addresses an underrepresented research area. As the number of women joining UK fire and rescue services as operational firefighters continues to grow, the need for correct fitting PPE that supports their operational safety, performance and wellbeing is important.

To date, most firefighter PPE is still designed around male anthropometric data, female firefighters frequently work in PPE that compromises fit, comfort, mobility, and protection. This research will hope to generate the evidence necessary to drive organisational, cultural, and technical change, delivering wide social, economic and professional benefits.

Ensuring that firefighters have properly fitting PPE is important to public and occupational safety. Ill‑fitting equipment can restrict physical movement and increase injury risk. By investigating these physiological consequences in detail, this project will provide the first UK‑specific data on how PPE design affects the bodies and operational capabilities of female firefighters.

Equally important are the perceived experiences female firefighters have with their current fire uniform and operational PPE. Firefighters who do not feel adequately protected or equipped may experience reduced confidence, heightened anxiety in hazardous environments, or a diminished sense of belonging within their crews. For many women, wearing uniform or operational PPE that does not fit correctly can reinforce feelings of exclusion in a historically male‑dominated profession. This research will aim to highlight these experiences, offering evidence and recommendations for fire and rescue services to adopt to support more inclusive cultures across the UK.

There are substantial economic benefits associated with improved PPE fit. If equipment contributes to injuries, heat stress, or chronic health issues, organisations face increased sickness absence, compensation claims and operational disruption. By identifying the specific mechanisms through which poor fit leads to physiological strain or injury risk, this project will equip fire and rescue services with the data required to reduce these avoidable costs.

Overall, this research will deliver valuable insights with the potential to transform practice, policy, and equipment standards across UK fire and rescue services. By producing evidence‑based recommendations, the project will advance equality, improve occupational health, enhance operational performance, and drive innovation in protective equipment design, ultimately contributing to a safer and more effective fire service for all.

If you are a female firefighter and would like to take part in the online survey, you can do so by clicking on the following link – Psychosocial barriers and facilitators of current service uniform and PPE for female firefighters | Jisc Online Surveys. The survey will be open until 21/06/26.

To read similar articles, check out our People and skills channel.