First Responder Insights

28 October 2024

FFP Standards Versus Baselayer Standards: Spot the Difference

It is no question that firefighters require a high level of protection in their line of work. In part from the flames and heat, but more importantly from the toxic chemicals that they are subjected to through the smoke. Whilst the flames pose an immediate risk to the lives of firefighters, it is the toxic […]

30 September 2024

The new Enduro Protect Helmet Bag – A breakthrough in protection

Standard helmet bags are replete with external clips to attach various pieces of equipment to. Other than the risk of equipment not being where you expect it to be through the danger of becoming unclipped, this poses an even greater risk. The risk of cross contamination. If your used PPE is clipped to the […]

22 August 2024

Prevention Is Better Than the Cure

In April 2024, workmates of Ollie Hatfield, a loving husband and father of three, ran 10 km in full gear in memory of Ollie and hundreds of other firefighters whose lives had been affected by cancer. Ollie was only 39 years old when he died of bowel cancer. Major research commissioned by the Fire Brigades […]

14 August 2024

Impact Resistant Gloves for Road Traffic Collisions

Our Impact Resistant Gloves provide everything you need in one glove. Designed for road traffic collisions, these gloves are the result of listening to the issues and requirements of emergency responders. These gloves are the perfect solution as PPE where there is a risk of injury to the hands by crushing or impact, whilst still […]

5 August 2024

Flash Hoods – Complete Protection over the Scalp

Protective gear is vital for firefighters to ensure they are protected from carcinogens entering their skin. Particulate blocking contaminants, particularly Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Although Flash Hoods are resilient, some designs can be permeated by harmful chemicals, potentially leading to significant health risks for firefighters, including cancer. The Enduro Protect® Flash Hood guarantees the highest […]

13 June 2024

The Enduro Protect Advance+ Stationwear

The Advance+ is a technical garment ensemble based on the same patented technology and features of our Advance Baselayer. With the Advance+, we have used this technology to develop a Station wear uniform which is composed of a Poloshirt and Action trousers (activewear design). We have also used the technology of the Advance+ in a […]

8 May 2024

What Is Thermal Burden and Heat Stress?

Thermal burden and heat stress are significant concerns for firefighter health and safety, particularly during firefighting operations. Research shows that more than 75 per cent of firefighters experience heat-related illness symptoms such as headache, sudden muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea and fainting, and that sudden cardiac death accounts for almost half of all firefighter duty-related fatalities. […]

22 April 2024

What are the Main Chemical Hazards to Which Firefighters are Exposed?

The question of whether firefighters are exposed to harmful chemicals that are absorbed through the skin is no longer in any doubt. This absorption occurs despite firefighters wearing full turnout gear. Evidence shows that this exposure can lead to firefighters experiencing increased risks of cancer and other serious illnesses compared to the general population. In […]

17 April 2024

Get into the Cab Clean, Leave the Dirt at the Scene

What is the Clean Cab Policy? The ‘Clean Cab Policy’ is a measure that was introduced to protect firefighters from dangerous carcinogens which have been shown to significantly increase the risk of cancer and other diseases. As we all know, research over the last 15 years has demonstrated the correlation between firefighting and increased risk […]

15 March 2024

What Chemicals and Substances Are Firefighters Exposed To?

Firefighters face greater dangers than those simply resulting from fire itself, for example, burns, smoke inhalation, or being injured by falling debris. They are also exposed to insidious, often invisible dangers from chemicals and substances resulting from fire, smoke, combustion products, fire station dust, diesel exhaust, and contaminated fire equipment and gear. One of the […]

20 February 2024

Understanding the Science of Particulate Blocking in Firefighting Undergarments

It is well known that the standard issue firefighting equipment worn by firefighters in the UK does little to prevent toxic carcinogens from reaching the skin, significantly increasing the risk of long-term and fatal health conditions within the profession. Given that a clear correlation between firefighters and cancer was established by researchers in 2022 and […]

20 January 2024

Budgeting For Baselayer Protection 2024/2025

This year marks 200 years since the first organised municipal fire brigade in the world. Founded in 1824 by James Braidwood, the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment originated in Edinburgh, Scotland. In the early days, firefighters wore wool clothing and rubber boots to protect them from heat, cold, and water and Jacobus Turck developed the first […]

18 September 2023

Firefighters and Cancer – The Latest Research

Finding the link between firefighters and cancer is vital in protecting our emergency service personnel. In June 2023, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) announced that nearly 300 firefighters would be participating in new national health monitoring research for firefighters. The firefighters will provide blood and urine samples to be analysed for biomarkers of cancers and […]

15 September 2023

A Huge Wake-Up Call: Cancer and Firefighters

“UK Firefighters suffer significant excess mortality from cancer and other diseases when compared with the general population.” Such was the findings of the, now infamous, study by Professor Anna Stec published at the start of this year (January 2023). Looking at the mortality records from the National Records of Scotland, the research showed a significantly […]

15 September 2023

How Enduro Protect Safeguards Firefighters Against Serious Health Risks

It is an unfortunate reality that Firefighters are exposed to enormous health risks on a daily basis from excessive heat, smoke, and harmful toxins. While there is no doubt that modern protective clothing has made the industry much safer in general, firefighters still face the serious problem of cancer-causing substances being absorbed directly into the […]