Few images instill as much pride and confidence as that of firefighters in full protective gear on their way to a call. But when the outer gear comes off and the crew is performing station duties, are they projecting a uniform, professional appearance? For that matter, is it even possible to outfit a firehouse in a way that looks good, is comfortable, is safe and offers as much protection as possible against hazardous work conditions?

Today, uniform manufacturers and service providers are making it less complicated and less difficult to meet these needs. Today's uniforms are engineered to be better than ever. They are less constricting. Soils are removed much more easily. Protective fabrics are easier and more comfortable for active workers to wear.

New choices

Non-fire-duty uniforms require, at the very least, comfort for long hours of wear during activity and rest while also providing a strong professional appearance.

In the past few years, 65% cotton/35% polyester blends have become extremely popular as uniform fabrics for active workers. These blends offer durability that can enable them to last two to three times longer than 100% cotton. The blends developed for the uniform market also have excellent soil release properties built into them, making it possible to eliminate even the worst stains.

Dirt comes out but color stays in: the strong inherent color retention properties of the polyester in the blends enable colors to withstand high-temperature industrial laundering. Anyone that has ever washed an old T-shirt knows that 100% cotton does not typically perform nearly as well in high-intensity laundering.

Active workers, however, sometimes think that blends are less breathable than 100% cotton. And, some workers whose jobs require significant movement and activity have been frustrated by the stiffness of the older synthetics.

New textiles being introduced into the uniform marketplace help address these problems. They combine the advantages of both all-cotton fabrics and cotton/poly blends. These fabrics have been around for awhile in the athletic and outdoor recreation markets. Known as hydrophilic fabrics, they have become familiar to consumers under brand names such as Nike's Dri-FIT and Patagonia's Capilene.

The newest hydrophilic fabrics used in work apparel are 100% polyester knits. No, these are not the polyesters of the 1970s. These fabrics use spun yarns that give a truly cotton-like feel, creating soft garments that people like to wear. Hydrophilic fabrics have been very well-received by athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in large part because of their moisture management systems. Perspiration is moved away from the skin and then evaporates, enhancing comfort for very active workers. They also provide effective odor resistance, because without available moisture, odor-causing bacteria can't survive in large numbers.

Wicking properties also enhance safety for employees who work in conditions where temperatures fluctuate between hot and cold. For firefighters working both inside and outside their firehouses, these fabrics offer comfort and convenience as they move back and forth.

Color-retention, durability and wrinkle resistance of hydrophilic fabrics are as good as or better than the same properties in 65/35 blends. Darker colors in particular have excellent color retention with this technology. Soil release properties built into hydrophilic uniform fabrics also ensure that these new uniforms can be kept very clean.

On the horizon for uniform fabrics are those with stretch features. Lycra Spandex, which is commonly incorporated into fabric blends in consumer clothing to add stretch capability, has been less suited to workwear for active workers, because it can be hot to wear during extended activity. However, wicking Lycra is now available that offers wearer comfort during active work. In some applications, rather than using Lycra, a mechanical stretch can be woven directly into uniform textile fibers. The result is a garment with comfortable stretch capability, and with soil release and other features found in 65/35 blends.

Uniform technologies

Departments in need of new firefighting uniforms to replace aging ones will likely be pleased with the qualities available in newer fabrics. Today's textile options can be used to make each layer of an ensemble meet the top priorities of a firefighting department. Uniform service providers will work with you to develop ensembles that offer the best level of protection for your firefighters. They also can help address NFPA-compliance questions related to various fabrics.

Until recently, flame-resistant garments have frequently been the subject of complaints from wearers who became too warm while working in them. Now, however, many of today's flame-resistant fabrics are more breathable and comfortable than those of the past.

Newer alternatives include flame-resistant finishes that can be added to cotton garments, with the finish also increasing the fabric's color retention. Even Nomex, a classic flame-resistant textile, is available for production of uniform pants, shirts, coveralls and outerwear.

If you want to stick with another classic, an option to explore is heavyweight denim adapted to provide flame-resistance. Denim's popularity as a comfortable and attractive fabric, and its durability, make it a worthwhile option to consider.

There are also fluid-resistant and pathogen-resistant textiles that can provide a level of protection against liquid-borne pathogens and can be used for emergency-response ensemble layers.

A textile service company will help you identify the impact of each job activity on clothing and select uniform textiles that meet the specific needs of your firefighters, so that they can be comfortable and safe while doing their jobs.

Care and maintenance

Uniform service providers also provide careful inspection of uniforms to ensure that uniforms are well-maintained. Inspection processes ensure that repairs to uniforms are made promptly, so that small rips in protective wear that could place firefighters at risk are addressed before garments are worn again. Similarly, torn fabric in station wear that would produce an unprofessional appearance or uncomfortable wear also would be repaired promptly.

Uniform service providers also can maintain large-scale inventories of uniforms much easier than their customers. This means that as uniforms need to be replaced due to wear, or need re-sizing when firefighters lose weight, such requirements are met promptly.

No matter what your house's clothing requirements, you can be reasonably assured that a solution is just a phone call or a mouse click away. Visit www.uniforminfo.com to learn more or to find a Uniform Textile and Service Association member by location.