New Firefighting Suit Increases Chemical, Biohazard Protection

  • Published
  • By Major Krystal Walker, AFRL/RXQE
  • Materials and Manufacturing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Military firefighters can count on increased protection from the effects of chemical and biological agents thanks to a cooperative project between the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency's (AFCESA) Fire Emergency Services Program.

The new Joint Firefighter Integrated Response Ensemble (JFIRE) allows operations in a chemically contaminated environment. The JFIRE includes a modified chemical protective overgarment (a modified Joint Services Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST)), traditional proximity turnout gear, a new helmet, new boots and gloves. The prototype ensemble was field tested by airmen at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, in July 2011.
 
The modified JSLIST suit consists of an outer shell that provides liquid protection and an inside carbon-bead filter material that offers vapor protection. The new, one-piece JSLIST suit is also lighter weight, breathable, more flexible and less bulky than the current JSLIST.

AFRL and AFCESA established a collaborative, three-year effort to identify and improve technologies that allow Air Force firefighters to respond to emergencies and perform operations in an expanded variety of hazardous situations including fire, toxic chemicals, and technical rescue in chemical and biological environments. In Mission Oriented Protection Posture (MOPP) 4, firefighters are required to wear the JSLIST chemical protective overgarment underneath their proximity firefighting ensemble, which is extremely hot and taxing on firefighters.
 
The modified JSLIST coverall is a two-layer material system consisting of a flame-resistant, durable, camouflage-printed outer fabric and a light, thin, highly efficient inner filter layer. This material system is air permeable, enabling thermo-regulation through evaporative cooling. The revolutionary new filter material uses nanoporous activated carbon micro-spherical absorbers, and is produced using advanced textile manufacturing processes. The outer shell material is a blend of four fibers -- Nomex, FR Rayon, Kevlar, and Nylon -- engineered to provide flame resistance, low-noise signature, durability and tear resistance, air permeability and oil and water repellency.

Initial testing of the modified JSLIST showed a 35 percent reduction in weight, a 14 percent reduction in bulk, a 36 percent increase in breathability, and an 85 percent improvement in flexibility. Additional improvements in the weight of the boots (by 32 percent) and helmet (by 9 percent) were also achieved.

In July 2011, 33 Airmen from Kunsan Air Base participated in the field test of the final prototype JFIRE suit, providing data and feedback for AFRL researchers. Firefighters told AFRL researchers that the JFIRE felt cooler and was more comfortable, and that they felt less fatigue after performing activities.
 
Follow-on efforts by AFRL include certifying use in a chemical warfare agent environment. Researchers expect the modified JFIRE components to be useful in other fields such as explosive ordnance disposal, emergency management, bioenvironmental and aircrew operations.