{"id":72869,"date":"2026-06-15T15:31:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T19:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=72869"},"modified":"2026-06-15T15:31:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T19:31:08","slug":"firefighter-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s note: This story was adapted from <\/em><a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2026\/06\/redesigned-fire-gear-offers-potentially-more-cooling-less-toxicity\"><em>a feature<\/em><\/a><em> in the <\/em>Cornell Chronicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Tom Fleischman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">A Cornell researcher\u2019s bold new redesign of firefighter gear is more versatile and better adapted to their actual work\u2014only a small fraction of which involves actually fighting structure fires. Human Ecology\u2019s Heeju Terry Park and his lab developed the new two-piece, Velcro- and zipper-equipped suits after interviewing more than 50 firefighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCurrent turnout gear has been used for decades with modest changes of design and materials,\u201d says Park, the Woo Professor in human centered design, \u201cdespite increasing fire service roles for handling more wildland fires and emergency rescue operations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<cite><strong> Prof. Heeju Terry Park<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The term \u201cfirefighter,\u201d while technically accurate, doesn\u2019t 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%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Firefighters don\u2019t 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 \u201cforever chemicals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Park\u2019s <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/performancewear.human.cornell.edu\/\">Performance Apparel Design Lab<\/a>\u2019s modernized gear, inspired by the suits worn by Formula 1 racecar drivers, can be adapted to the task at hand, and uses noncarcinogenic materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Doctoral student Huieun Do, MA \u201925, examines a white firefighter coat\" class=\"wp-image-72873\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_031.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Apparel design doctoral student Huieun Do, MA \u201925, in the lab.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In interviews, the researchers identified three primary problems with firefighter suits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 They are designed mainly for thermal protection\u2014understandable, 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;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 A growing number of firefighters are women (approximately 9% of all firefighters, paid and volunteer), and clothing generally designed for men doesn&#8217;t always work if it\u2019s just made smaller; and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>Firefighters don\u2019t always need their bulky turnout gear, which creates additional physiological stress due to heat and restricted movement.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional fire suits are multilayer, heavy-duty coats and pants featuring three layers of material\u2014a flame- and puncture-resistant outer shell; a moisture barrier; and a thermal barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main difference between current firefighter clothing and the Park lab\u2019s redesign is versatility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis unique design feature will enable firefighters to quickly cool down their body in non-firefighting situations,\u201d says Park, whose yearlong project was supported by a grant from FEMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In particular, the upper portion of the redesigned gear promotes effective heat release; more than 60% of perspiration occurs in the head and torso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>The new design is two pieces, which can be connected with zippers and Velcro to function as a coverall.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another improvement is the front pocket, which typically stores the tools a firefighter needs. To facilitate quick access, the new design\u2019s pocket features compartments so the tools can be custom-organized by the firefighter for ease of access in stressful situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A closeup of a pocket of one of the firefighter suits\" class=\"wp-image-72872\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_004.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A newly designed front pocket allows for custom organization.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to test whether this is really better designed to handle all the stressful tasks,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe 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\u2019s the next step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: Prof. Heeju Park (left) with doctoral student Albert Lin, MA \u201923. (All photos by Jason Koski \/ Cornell University)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Published June 15, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":72871,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-72869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-beyond"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear - Cornellians | Cornell University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear - Cornellians | Cornell University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cornellians | Cornell University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Cornellians\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-15T19:31:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-15T19:31:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Beth Saulnier\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@WeCornellians\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@WeCornellians\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Beth Saulnier\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Beth Saulnier\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100\"},\"headline\":\"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-15T19:31:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-15T19:31:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":858,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Campus &amp; Beyond\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/\",\"name\":\"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear - Cornellians | Cornell University\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-15T19:31:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-15T19:31:08+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100\"},\"description\":\"Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"caption\":\"Prof. Heeju Park (left) with doctoral student Albert Lin, MA \u201923.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/firefighter-gear\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/\",\"name\":\"Cornellians | Cornell University\",\"description\":\"Cornell&#039;s alumni publication\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100\",\"name\":\"Beth Saulnier\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Beth Saulnier\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/alumni.cornell.edu\\\/cornellians\\\/author\\\/ess8\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear - Cornellians | Cornell University","description":"Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear - Cornellians | Cornell University","og_description":"Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives","og_url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/","og_site_name":"Cornellians | Cornell University","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Cornellians","article_published_time":"2026-06-15T19:31:07+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-15T19:31:08+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Beth Saulnier","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@WeCornellians","twitter_site":"@WeCornellians","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Beth Saulnier","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/"},"author":{"name":"Beth Saulnier","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100"},"headline":"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear","datePublished":"2026-06-15T19:31:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-15T19:31:08+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/"},"wordCount":858,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg","articleSection":["Campus &amp; Beyond"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/","name":"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear - Cornellians | Cornell University","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-15T19:31:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-15T19:31:08+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100"},"description":"Inspired by Formula 1 racers\u2019 suits, a Human Ecology prof and his lab are developing new suits that could save lives","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/2026_1215_JK_020.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"caption":"Prof. Heeju Park (left) with doctoral student Albert Lin, MA \u201923."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/firefighter-gear\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Big Red Researcher Could Revolutionize Firefighter Gear"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#website","url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/","name":"Cornellians | Cornell University","description":"Cornell&#039;s alumni publication","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/#\/schema\/person\/32fea64e8c64bb984ed5809675634100","name":"Beth Saulnier","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/321760a8edb5153d2c562bbadd61cc5ebb987bda75fb59074266c35cc35beae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Beth Saulnier"},"url":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/author\/ess8\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET","POST","PUT","PATCH","DELETE"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72869"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72896,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72869\/revisions\/72896"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72869"},{"taxonomy":"cornell_year_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cornell_year_post?post=72869"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=72869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}