While International Women’s Day is a great time to celebrate the accomplishments of female firefighters, Fire-Dex remains committed to serving women all year.
We firmly believe that female firefighters are a vital part of the firefighting service and deserve gear that works for them. The fire service has long been seen as a male-dominated field, but female firefighters have been breaking down barriers and proving their strength, skill, and dedication for decades. Take Rachel Humphrey from Surrey Township Fire Department for example, who talked to 9 &10 News about her challenges and triumphs in the fire industry.
And while their contributions to the fire service are invaluable, many female firefighters still face unnecessary challenges—including the struggle to find properly fitting turnout gear. No matter the firefighter, we believe that everyone has the right to gear that works; properly fitted turnout gear is critical to safety on the fireground and shouldn’t be optional.
Women have been involved in firefighting for centuries—from Mollie Williams in 1815 to the over 90,000 women in the fire service today, women have and will continue to make an impact on firegrounds across the country.
Despite the large number of women in the fire service, they still face numerous challenges, including ill-fitting turnout gear.
Turnout gear that is too large or improperly proportioned can hinder movement, making it harder to climb ladders, pull hoses, or carry victims to safety. Baggy pants or coats can be a tripping hazard or snag on debris.
Many women are sized improperly for their turnout gear. To accommodate wider hips, the common solution is to increase the size of the jacket. That creates extra width in the chest, which creates extra weight and hinders mobility.
Turnout gear must provide thermal protection, but poor fit can leave dangerous gaps or cause coats to ride up when arms are raised, exposing skin to extreme heat.
Conversely, gear that is too tight can limit air circulation, increasing the risk of heat stress.
Gear that doesn’t fit properly isn’t working for you, it’s working against you.
When you’re in the heat of battle, you need everything working properly so you can concentrate on your job. Ill-fitting gear creates unnecessary distractions and can hinder your performance.
Women should have gear that fits, plain and simple.
That’s why Fire-Dex offers multiple fit types for our turnout gear. From flare jackets to relaxed fit pants, we offer customizations that mean you don’t have to compromise on the fireground.
We bake a proper fit for firefighters into everything we make. We go beyond traditional fit methods, requiring hip measurements when sizing. That means we avoid the problem of extra bulk in the chest or pants that are difficult to don or doff.
Female firefighters have been making significant contributions to the fire service for generations, proving that bravery and skill know no gender. However, for them to perform their duties safely and effectively, they must be provided with turnout gear that fits properly.
Properly fitted gear isn’t an option, it’s a necessity that every firefighter deserves. This International Women’s Day, Fire-Dex is proud to say that we are committed to female firefighters and will continually innovate our fit and functionality to make them safer on the fireground and beyond.