Research shows that unisex firefighter gear is dangerous for women. Did you know that 10% of firefighters worldwide are women? And that many of these women wear firefighter gear designed for the male body? This means the majority of these 2 million women are doing their job without proper protection. A recent study shows that unisex firefighter clothing is dangerous for women. In this article, I’ll tell you all about it.

Prefer to read in Dutch? Click here

  Research shows: unisex firefighter gear is dangerous for women

Bodi.Me, a London-based fashion fit technology company, recently brought this issue to light. They analyzed the body measurements of British female firefighters and compared them to the standard sizing charts used in the firefighting industry. The results showed that in 75% of cases, women’s hips are wider than their bust. Additionally, 55% of women had different sizes for bust and waist, often needing, for example, a size M for the bust and a size S for the waist. All of this is based on the standard unisex firefighter gear sizing chart.

According to Bodi.Me, the consequences of wearing unisex firefighting gear are serious. Loose-fitting gear can allow flames, chemicals, and heat to reach the skin. If clothing is too loose at the neck or wrists, the risk of respiratory illness and even cancer increases. On the other hand, tight gear can also cause problems, such as reducing the garment’s insulating effect.

Tight or oversized gear can also restrict mobility, making it harder to crawl through tight spaces or climb ladders. This slows down reaction time and increases the risk of injury.

Unisex firefighter gear increases injury risk for women

That these risks are real is supported by research from Florida State University in 2020. In the study titled “Effect of structural turnout suit fit on female versus male firefighter range of motion,” Associate Professor Meredith McQuerry demonstrated that women wearing male-designed turnout gear have a 33% higher risk of injury.

And that wasn’t the only study. In Portugal, 3D scans also revealed that average firefighter equipment does not match the female body.

Women have always been part of firefighting

It’s a common misconception that women have only recently joined the fire service, or that they’ve never been a real part of firefighting history. At least, not in roles where they actually fought fires. But that’s not true. In 1818, Molly Williams became the first female firefighter in the United States.

The fact that we know her name is remarkable because back then, it was uncommon to document female involvement.Firefighting was often done on a voluntary basis and widely regarded as a man’s job. As a result, people rarely recorded the names of women who served. When women did take on official roles, others typically labeled them as “fire watchers.” Their main task was to prevent fires in factories, while men handled the actual extinguishing.

During World War I, authorities officially recruited women into firefighting to address staff shortages. Still, many men refused to train them. By World War II, however, the shortage had become so critical that governments actively launched recruitment campaigns. In the UK, the number of female firefighters rose from 5,000 in 1940 to 90,000 by 1943.

The impact of unisex firefighter gear on women

Although firefighting is still a male-dominated profession, women now hold more and more roles. In the Netherlands, the percentage of female firefighters has hovered around 6.5% for years (thankfully, we now have women’s firefighter gear available), but in countries like France, the figure is closer to 20%, mostly in volunteer positions. Many European countries have been trying for years to attract more women to the field.

But let’s be honest: no one wants to expose their body to fire without proper protection. Whether you’re a volunteer or not, women deserve firefighter gear that actually fits.

It’s clear that unisex firefighter gear is dangerous for women. Not only in terms of comfort, but also safety. More awareness and better design are urgently needed.

Best,
Aileen

Last update: 2/10/2025