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South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (SYFRS) has awarded a three-year contract to iTrackPPE to update how it manages personal protective equipment (PPE), breathing apparatus and other operational kit.
The move will see the service introduce RFID and QR tracking technology across its equipment, allowing it to shift from individually issued PPE to a pooled stock model. The aim is to improve access to clean, compliant kit and give crews and managers a clearer, real-time view of what equipment is available and where.
The system is also intended to strengthen how the service manages contamination risks. Firefighters can be exposed to harmful substances through PPE, and better tracking of cleaning, usage and condition is expected to support efforts to reduce that risk.
As part of the programme, SYFRS will introduce digital ‘PPE passports’ aligned with British Standards, enabling full lifecycle tracking of kit from issue through to maintenance and replacement. Breathing apparatus and other operational assets will also be brought onto the same platform.
“Firefighter safety is central to every decision we make and strengthening how we manage PPE contaminants is an important part of that. We hope this technology will help us improve visibility and assurance across our PPE processes, supporting our move to a pooled model and ensuring continued compliance with national standards. This programme provides a scalable, modern platform for managing operational assets and reflects our commitment to clean, safe and effective firefighting.”
Andy Strelczenie, Deputy Chief Fire Officer.
iTrackPPE, a UK-based provider specialising in equipment management for emergency services, will deliver the system. The company said the platform is designed to support asset tracking, contamination control and more efficient stock management through a combination of RFID, QR codes and mobile workflows.
“We are extremely proud to partner with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, a service demonstrating genuine leadership in tackling PPE contamination risks and investing in firefighter safety. iTrackPPE was built from real operational and command experience, and we remain committed to supporting SYFRS with the intelligence, compliance, and visibility they need to protect their people and modernise asset management for the long term.”
Steve McLinden, founder and CEO of iTrackPPE
The rollout will cover PPE, breathing apparatus and wider operational equipment, creating a single system for tracking condition, usage and location. The service expects the approach to support longer-term planning, compliance monitoring and more efficient use of resources.
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