New wildland firefighting suit unveiled by FlamePro, sets new PPE benchmark for the industry
Wildland fires are an increasing threat in the UK. They’re high-risk, difficult to manage and create a set of very particular circumstances for firefighters battling the blaze.
And with wildland call outs measured in days, rather than hours, fire services need kit that’s as tough as the terrain they’re working on.
FlamePro, a British manufacturing specialist of life-saving garments for firefighters, has unveiled a new wildland firefighting suit, challenging the industry by setting a new benchmark for PPE.
The ‘Defender’ wildland suit features military-grade FR plastic hardware. It passes a heat resistance of 260°C, even after 40 wash and dry cycles – meeting the high demands of the latest wildland standard.
Uninhibited comfort
Comfort and ergonomics are at the forefront of the design. The suit encompasses strategic panelling, that is shaped to offer easy movement for wearers.
The precise location of the panelling also improves breathability of the suit. This provides the much-needed airflow to reduce the risk of heat stress, which the extreme conditions of wildland firefighting pose.
Glow-in-the-dark – as standard
The Defender suit also features photoluminescent glow-in-the-dark tape for operational effectiveness. These strips aid location of colleagues in near, or even total, darkness. They’re visible even when you can’t see your hand in front of your face.
State-of-the-art 3D padding
Lugging heavy equipment into remote areas of land is part and parcel of wildland firefighting. Therefore, the Defender suit is equipped with shoulder reinforcement and 3D padding over the main fabric, providing added comfort for firefighters wearing a bulky backpack.
Additional protection
The suit also includes ergonomically-shaped knee panels, with reinforced fabric, to protect firefighters against thorns, gorse, and other annoying hazards that lurk in the undergrowth.
Versatility guaranteed
Available in red or yellow, the new Defender will also fit any body – available in an industry-leading range of 96 sizes and fits.
FlamePro’s technical sales manager, Reece Buchner, said: “By their nature, wildland fires create a set of very particular circumstances. The remote location, the intense heat and the long duration of these emergencies, all combine to create extreme and high-risk incidents.
“This means that firefighters need unique protection. The only PPE that will suffice is that which has been designed specially to protect against every one of the risks that wildland firefighting poses.
“Our Defender suit does just this. We’re not interested in just meeting standards, we aim to be setting them. Our military-grade materials, teamed with ergonomic design, offers the ultimate combination of protection and comfort.”
Find out more about FlamePro’s life-saving garments at FlamePro.