Xenon to the Rescue: How Ballyclare designed kit for everyday calls
Iain Hoey
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Lightweight and comfortable, Ballyclare’s Xenon technical rescue firefighting PPE is the ultimate high-performance, ergonomic fire kit
Firefighters must have full structural kit to protect them when facing high intensity fires in a building or enclosed space, but this level of protection isn’t needed for every call out.
Government figures for the year ending June 2025 show just 6.3% of incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England were building fires.
Instead, firefighters are far more frequently called to other types of emergency such as road traffic collisions, medical incidents or flooding.
As a result, FRSs are increasingly investing in specialist technical rescue PPE, which is better suited to the majority of incidents they face, saving their full structural PPE for when they really need it and helping to prolong its life.
Ergonomic and breathable
Ballyclare’s Xenon technical rescue jacket and trouser ensemble is particularly lightweight and breathable, featuring highly-specialist fabrics to keep firefighters both protected and comfortable on the job.
The increased flexibility and ergonomic sports styling help to meet the physical demands of the role, which often means crawling, climbing, lifting or operating machinery in complex environments.
Robust and protective
Fully certified to the Firefighters Rescue Clothing standard EN 16689:2017, Xenon technical rescue provides durable, waterproof protection from blood pathogens, chemicals and particulates.
The outer fabric is inherently flame retardant and resistant to repeated washing, which considerably extends its operating life.
It also offers outstanding visibility in dark conditions, thanks to carefully positioned phosphorescent taping.
Versatile
This particular version of the Xenon technical rescue kit was enhanced to meet the specific requirements of FRSs in the North West of England and Northern Ireland, who together represent more than 5,800 firefighters.
They requested a bright yellow outer fabric for heightened visibility at road traffic incidents, as well as specific loops and pockets for compatibility with their existing torches, radios and equipment.
A good fit
Ballyclare offers three shaping styles to accommodate different body types, meaning around 56 sizing variations are available to choose from as standard.
Where required, bespoke garments can be created, ensuring every firefighter has garments that fit well.
Cost-effective
Requiring fewer layers than structural PPE, technical rescue kit is generally less expensive to purchase.
FRSs are finding they can save funds by using technical rescue kit for those call-outs where it is most suitable, thereby prolonging the life of more costly structural kit by reducing wear and washing.
Philip Tasker, Global Sales Lead for Fire and Security at Ballyclare, said: “Increasingly, fire and rescue services across the UK and Europe are investing in dedicated technical rescue kit which better suits the everyday incidents they face, and prolongs the life of their structural gear.
“Our Xenon technical rescue design offers the perfect balance of protection, comfort and flexibility to ensure firefighters have the most suitable kit for the challenging situations they face.”
