MODULAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SYSTEM FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Abstract

Emergency responders are being asked to react to a growing number of violent events and natural disasters as well as evolving threats, such as mass rioting and targeting of response personnel. The aim of this research was to develop modular PPE systems that protect the emergency responders from injury while acting/ operating effectively in hazardous environments and provide the highest level of protection against a range of possible threats. The modular PPE system, built upon a duty uniform, integrates state-of-the-art protective tehnologies; provides basic protection from most likely threats (for example: fire, extremes weather etc.); enhances daily-wear comfort; provide increased localized protection as needed (for example: knees, forearms); includes next-to-skin layer and outer layer to provide varying levels of protection as needed; the modular layers easily donned and undonned. This modular approach: i) provides several advantages, including preserving comfort and flexibility until the intervention mission requires the use of the next level of protection; ii) it is a guarantee that emergency responders are not in a position of choosing between their safety and the effectiveness of the mission; iii) the use of modular layers could be the most cost-effective option, because only certain layers may become damaged or be in need of decontamination following an incident.

Keywords

• protection
• safety and health
• duty uniform
• mission-specific layers
• functional design
• modular layers.