While a record-number of women are joining the fire service, heralding a new era of inclusivity for the sector, a new report highlights that training and injury-prevention protocols remain overwhelmingly based on male physiology.
Research and findings
Experts led by the University of East London highlight how optimised training – tailored to female physiology and health – can improve female firefighters’ safety and career longevity, as, although the physical demands are the same for everyone, there is currently a flawed assumption that training principles based on male cohorts will produce the same results in females.
The research reveals that nearly 80% of female firefighters operate in ill-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE), compared to just 20.9% of their male counterparts.
This equipment mismatch, combined with a lack of sex-specific training and recovery actively heightens the risk of injury.
“Immediate, real-world change”
Co-author of the report, Dr Lee Brown, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at University of East London commented: “Currently, women make up 8% of firefighters across the UK, and while recruitment numbers are rising, retention remains a challenge.
“Most services currently don’t have policies regarding female-specific physical training and drastically lack research and policy to support women through key life stages such as pregnancy, postpartum and menopause.
“This research and the involvement of services such as the Kent Fire and Rescue Service in this type of initiatives is a step in the right direction, and it is prompting immediate, real-world change.”
Sex-specific training
Dr Brown is currently working with Chief executive Ann Millington at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, which is directly implementing the new sex-specific training recommendations this year, and will be partnering with other fire services to overhaul training guidance and develop robust policies designed to keep women in the service longer.
“We’re proud to lead the way”
Ann Millington, Chief executive at Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our goal is to be an employer of choice where every firefighter has the tools to thrive.
“By adopting these sex-specific training and PPE protocols, we are telling our female colleagues that their health and careers are a top priority.
“We’re proud to lead the way in creating a fire service that is fit for the future,” Millington added.
“A more supportive environment”
Sophie Bulmer, Firefighter at Canterbury Fire Station said: “This research has helped raise awareness of the challenges and unique issues female firefighters face.
“In particular, it has focussed on understanding strength and fitness performance and on developing practical, evidence-based solutions that could help create a more supportive environment for women in the fire service.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this work, which has potential to help ensure standards that are both achievable and sustainable,” she concluded.
The study
Published in the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) TSAC Report, Dr Brown’s study highlights the need to recognise female physiology when programming training and recovery strategies, to create a more inclusive culture that supports female firefighters throughout their entire careers.
The study suggested that training should focus on improving absolute strength and address females’ sex-specific vulnerabilities – such as higher ACL injury risks – through targeted injury prevention.
Training and recovery should also be adapted and account for shift-work fatigue, sleep deprivation and hormonal fluctuations.
Finally, properly sized, fitted and structured PPE for females must be a mandated, non-negotiable safety requirement, where at present, is largely based on male body measurements, which can fail to protect them properly.