A Team Effort

Research that makes a difference is a task that takes a combined effort from those who are affected by the issue and those that want to make the change. Our researchers are always looking for people willing to lend a hand and participate in many ways from surveys that provide vital insight into user experience to human subject testing that shows how PPE can effect a person during their job tasks. 

Some current research projects within the lab that are in need of participants are described in more detail on this page. 

Fire Service

Firefighting Hood 

"Design and Performance Improvement for Firefighter Hoods" is a project that is working to improve the comfort and protection of firefighter hoods as they are essential pieces of equipment. Current firefighter hoods face challenges such as material limitations and design flaws that impact firefighters' safety, particularly in relation to carcinogen exposure from smoke particles. Our project aims to address these issues by redesigning the hoods using advanced materials and design techniques, incorporating feedback from both firefighters and purchasing managers. 

Survey

We invite firefighters and PPE decision-makers to take part in two surveys designed to gather crucial insights on the current state of firefighter hoods. Your feedback will directly influence the development of new, innovative hoods that offer enhanced comfort, protection, and performance in life-threatening situations. The surveys are essential for improving the future of firefighter gear and ensuring the well-being of those who protect our communities. Your participation will take about 15–30 minutes and help us create safer, more comfortable firefighter hoods for the future.


 

The survey below is for firefighters in the field who are using firefighter hoods. 

User Experience on Firefighter Hoods

The survey below is for managers who are responsible for the purchasing and management of firefighter gear.

PPE Management and Decision-Making

Firefighter Gloves

NexGenPPT is working to identify the needs, issues, and expectations surrounding firefighting turn out gloves. Feedback from first hand users of PPE, especially gloves, helps to guide research goals and design needs leading to innovative and functional changes within the industry and standards. Our goal is to develop a fundamental tool, including models, lab simulation testing and evaluation methods and apparatus for understanding and improving protective gloves. The long term goal is to develop next generation high performance turnout gloves with new materials and task-focused functional design that best fit the needs and protection of our firefighters.

Survey

The survey below was created to gather information regarding the thoughts and expectations firefighters and first responders have for their turnout gloves. 

Turnout Glove Expectation and Opinion

Coming Soon

Our team is working to create an app (AI-SAFEHAND project) that will use photos of a firefighter's hand to size and recommend firefighting gloves that will give them the best fit from a database. This app will provide information like brand, size, feedback, and performance needs.