Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear

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Editor’s note: This story was adapted from a feature in the Cornell Chronicle.

By Tom Fleischman

A Cornell researcher’s bold new redesign of firefighter gear is more versatile and better adapted to their actual work—only a small fraction of which involves actually fighting structure fires. Human Ecology’s Heeju Terry Park and his lab developed the new two-piece, Velcro- and zipper-equipped suits after interviewing more than 50 firefighters.

“Current turnout gear has been used for decades with modest changes of design and materials,” says Park, the Woo Professor in human centered design, “despite increasing fire service roles for handling more wildland fires and emergency rescue operations.”

Current turnout gear has been used for decades with modest changes of design and materials, despite increasing fire service roles for handling more wildland fires and emergency rescue operations.

Prof. Heeju Terry Park

The term “firefighter,” while technically accurate, doesn’t paint the full picture of what these men and women do on a daily basis. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 60% of fire department responses are for medical aid calls. Firefighters respond more to false alarms (8%) than to actual fires (3.9%).

Firefighters don’t always need their bulky turnout gear, which creates additional physiological stress due to heat and restricted movement. Additionally, some of the materials these protective suits contain or are treated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known carcinogens dubbed “forever chemicals.”

Park’s Performance Apparel Design Lab’s modernized gear, inspired by the suits worn by Formula 1 racecar drivers, can be adapted to the task at hand, and uses noncarcinogenic materials.

In interviews, the researchers identified three primary problems with firefighter suits:

• They are designed mainly for thermal protection—understandable, but since less than 4% of firefighter calls are for fires, firefighters are often overdressed. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the main cause of on-duty firefighter death is cardiovascular in nature, triggered by heat stress;

• A growing number of firefighters are women (approximately 9% of all firefighters, paid and volunteer), and clothing generally designed for men doesn't always work if it’s just made smaller; and

• The PFAS chemicals used to treat suits pose a significant health risk. According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters are 9% more likely than the general public to be diagnosed with cancer, and 14% more likely to die from it.

Firefighters don’t always need their bulky turnout gear, which creates additional physiological stress due to heat and restricted movement.

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Traditional fire suits are multilayer, heavy-duty coats and pants featuring three layers of material—a flame- and puncture-resistant outer shell; a moisture barrier; and a thermal barrier.

The main difference between current firefighter clothing and the Park lab’s redesign is versatility.

The new design is two pieces, which can be connected with zippers and Velcro to function as a coverall. The protective outer layer of the top can be unzipped and secured around the waist or completely removed when not needed, a feature similar to the suits worn by F1 racers.

“This unique design feature will enable firefighters to quickly cool down their body in non-firefighting situations,” says Park, whose yearlong project was supported by a grant from FEMA.

In particular, the upper portion of the redesigned gear promotes effective heat release; more than 60% of perspiration occurs in the head and torso.

The new design is two pieces, which can be connected with zippers and Velcro to function as a coverall.

Additionally, the top features dual vertical zippers, for ease of donning and removal; a detachable front panel, convenient for bathroom breaks; two-way zippers to allow for ventilation; and a lower collar to reduce skin irritation and improve breathability.

Another improvement is the front pocket, which typically stores the tools a firefighter needs. To facilitate quick access, the new design’s pocket features compartments so the tools can be custom-organized by the firefighter for ease of access in stressful situations.

The pocket is also detachable, and can be secured in front to accommodate either right- or left-handed people, and so access is not restricted, for example, by the straps of an oxygen tank.

Park is hoping to secure additional funding to enable further testing of the updated fire suits, with firefighters in Ithaca as well as at the NYC Fire Department training facility on Randall’s Island.

“I want to test whether this is really better designed to handle all the stressful tasks,” he says.

“We want to see how quickly they can put it on and take it off, and how quickly they can reach the tools without dexterity issues, and how they feel about the new design aesthetically, culturally, psychologically, and whether it works for men, women, tall people, small people. That’s the next step.”

Top: Prof. Heeju Park (left) with doctoral student Albert Lin, MA ’23. (All photos by Jason Koski / Cornell University)

Published June 15, 2026

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