Protective clothing for wildland firefighters
Wildland firefighters face escalating health risks as fire seasons lengthen and fires become more intense. Their work demands long shifts involving strenuous physical labor — hiking, digging, carrying heavy packs and operating equipment — with exposure to extreme heat, dense smoke, humidity, high altitude and rough terrain. These conditions heighten the risk of heat stress, respiratory issues, dehydration, musculoskeletal injury and prolonged exposure to airborne toxins. Poorly fitting or inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) can worsen these health threats by restricting mobility, causing chafing, trapping heat and reducing overall protection.
From 2019 to 2025, researchers across multiple land‑grant universities – Idaho, Washington, Louisiana, Florida and Iowa – collaborated to address these health and safety challenges by evaluating and improving wildland firefighter PPE and related practices. First, researchers identified widespread issues with PPE fit, comfort and performance, including specific risks for women firefighters whose gear often does not fit correctly, leading to increased exposure and injury risk.
Health‑related studies assessed glove functionality, PPE sizing systems and how repeated wear without laundering affects skin health and contamination levels. Researchers also examined how gear degrades over time, analyzing shrinkage, abrasion, strength loss and thermal protection after real‑world use and cleaning. This work is crucial because PPE is certified only when new, even though firefighters must reuse limited clothing for extended periods.
Teams also explored wearable health‑monitoring technologies that could track heart rate, skin temperature, carbon monoxide exposure and firefighter location — tools that could reduce medical emergencies and fatalities. Nutritional needs were another priority: Collaborating with Extension and dietitians, researchers investigated ways PPE design could better support firefighters’ energy and hydration requirements during long shifts.
This project ultimately produced new guidelines, updated standards and educational materials that strengthen occupational health protections. By improving PPE design, care and use, researchers are helping ensure that wildland firefighters can work more safely, effectively and with reduced health risk.
Florida State University; Georgia Southern University; University of Idaho; Iowa State University; University of Kentucky; Louisiana State University; North Carolina State University; Washington State University | Project supported by Hatch Multistate capacity funds.
