FlamePro Global’s Jack Griffin, Technical Sales Manager, talks about the critical role PPE plays in addressing fire services’ evolving challenges, from heat stress to diversity and budget concerns

Could you provide a brief overview of FlamePro and the types of PPE you specialise in?

FlamePro are a UK based, global supplier of high quality, lightweight PPE for firefighters.

We have an inhouse design and development team as well as inhouse European manufacturing which means that we can deliver our garments to firefighting services and brigades in around half the time it takes our competitors.

We specialise in light weight breathable garments with superior ergonomics and comfort levels that are design engineered to specific risks faced by todays firefighters.

Our range consists of specific garments for Structural, Wildfire, Technical Rescue and HVP work, all of which have very different requirements for both safety and comfort.

What do you see as the most critical challenges faced by firefighters today?

When talking to our customers there are many different challenges that they face but the four main ones that are repeatedly brought to us are, Contaminants, Heat Stress, Diversity and Budget.

Contaminants is an issue that has been growing in prominence due to the now proven increased risk of cancers and illness to firefighters exposed to carcinogens and chemical while on duty.

FlamePro developed to the market particulate hoods that protect again 99% of particulates while remaining light weight and breathable.

We also offer within the UK a comprehensive care and maintenance package which includes cleaning and decontamination of garments, we are currently working on deploying this scheme globally with localised partners.

Heat stress has been a priority for firefighters for a long time and the complexity of providing enough protection to keep a firefighter safe while not being to heavy has been an ongoing challenge.

This is why we are committed to developing PPE that is be light weight and breathable and to incorporate garments fit of each individual role within the fire services.

Structural garments with added layers and protection against heat and flame for short sharp bursts of use.

Wildland kit in a protective single layer that is lighter and fit for use over long drawn out calls.

Our Technical Rescue and HVP kits are also specifically designed to protect from the specific risks without the additional layers required for Structural work which are not necessary for alternative tasks and increase the risk of heat stress when worn unnecessarily.

To ensure that each firefighter has correctly sized kit regardless of gender, body type and size, we have expanded our range to include 96 sizes as standard across two different fits, these are not classed as male and female as some different body types and shapes fit better into each size.

We also provide out sizes and bespoke sizes in the unlikely event that a firefighter doesn’t fit into one of the 96 standard options.

The specific use PP E that we have in our range also helps to address the budget issues.

Specific use garments are cheaper than structural and tend to last for between 50-100 washes as opposed to 40 for structural garments, so the cost saving they bring when deployed correctly can be immense.

What advanced technologies or features has FlamePro integrated into its firefighter PPE?

Not all innovations are great leaps in technology.

Some of our biggest innovations are in the smallest details that our design team apply to increase movement and make the garments lighter and more comfortable.

Ensuring they work with the firefighter rather than against them as garments have done historically.

For example the 7 panel sleeves in our Valiant kit that don’t ride up or stretch when climbing and 3D-spacer reinforced shoulder and back areas to reduce the risk of compression injuries and steam burns when battling ferocious heat.

The biggest innovation though would arguably be the focus on the size range and specific use garments.

 From my military experience, ill-fitting or uncomfortable PPE can distract from making life-saving decisions.

Often, it’s the little things that make big differences and that’s where we specialise.

How do you work with fire brigades to tailor equipment to their specific needs?

Our approach is multifaceted depending on where we and the customer are within the design process.

For new products we work very closely with the fire services to fully understand their requirements and challenges and our design team base all of their work around aligning a new garment to these challenges and the required certifications to keep the fire fighters safe.

This work will range all the way from focus groups to in-depth wearer trials, with feedback taken and amendments and refinements made at every point until the perfect garment is achieved before going into production.

For a fire service purchasing a garment already on the market they may have a slight alteration that they wish to make, maybe a different pocket size or an additional radio loop and out design team will work with them to make sure the garment is fully fit for their needs before they order.

How does FlamePro manage to balance rapid delivery with maintaining high product quality?

Fire services are not protected when they are stuck waiting 6 months for their kit with deadlines being repeatedly missed, as is the case with many of our competitors.

We believe that this is totally unacceptable.

That is why two and a half years ago, we brought our own in-house manufacturing facility in Europe, giving us full control of our supply chain and allowing us to manufacture and deliver garments globally withing 8-12 weeks.

Owning our own facility means we’re able to adjust production slots to meet customers’ needs, being fluid and flexible and ensuring that we always remain on track.

So far in the first 10 months of 2024 we have delivered on time in full over 99% of our orders.

We are also fully transparent with our customers providing an agreed upon timeline for every part of their order so that they know what is happening at every stage and eliminating any surprises from the word go.

This document in then the steer for every meeting and discussion internally and externally throughout the sizing, production and delivery process to ensure no deviation.

What emerging technologies or industry trends do you think will most impact the development of firefighter PPE?

We know that on the collaborative next year, there will be a structural lot and a lightweight lot.

The lightweight lot targets the 93% of tasks – technical rescue, wildfire, high-volume pumping.

We’ve introduced, based on focus groups and discussions, a brand new hybrid garment covering 93% of call-outs: a technical rescue tunic and trouser with a removable membrane or liner for wildfire tasks.

Existing technical rescue jackets may be wildfire-rated but lack removable membranes, which is impractical in certain conditions.

Our solution allows the membrane to be removed or reattached as needed, addressing heat stress and budget concerns, being two-thirds the cost of structural uniforms and preserving their life.

It also maintains the diversity piece with 96 sizes across two fits.

The PPE industry as a whole needs to focus on understanding the environments firefighters are in and providing fit for purpose PPE, addressing heat stress and budgets by using the right PPE in the right instances, reducing washing and condemning issues.

Ensuring enough sizes and offering bespoke options when necessary is important.

We have looked at improved tracking and tracing of garments via smart technology and believe that this will be something that the market will see a rise of in the near future too.

We also believe that sustainability will continue to be a pressure that builds for suppliers and the fire services about, addressing environmental issues with projects such as our RECYCLE programme will be of vital importance when awarding and winning contracts.

These are our thoughts on the four pillars—the most critical challenges faced by firefighters.

Other suppliers may think differently, but as suppliers, we have a duty of care to address these issues with every PPE item we bring to market.

Ultimately, this will set apart suppliers who want to improve and be at the forefront from those who don’t.

This article was originally published in the November 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.