The Integrated Clothing Project (ICP) is the first national procurement project for clothing for Fire and Rescue Services (FRS).
The aim of the project is to deliver, via a single service provider, a complete range of clothing designed specifically for FRS staff, including protective clothing that offers comprehensive protection for firefighters.
After a thorough evaluation of bids submitted by companies world-wide, Bristol Uniforms Ltd was selected as the service provider and now offers the clothing through a choice of three contract options – Fully Managed Service, Purchase/Managed Service and Purchase Only.
As part of the procurement process, an extensive evaluation of firefighter protective clothing was undertaken at the Health & Safety Laboratory in Buxton, Derbyshire. Sixteen male and female firefighters from around the UK took part in the trials. Rigorous physiological and ergonomic tests designed to compare the relative performance of the clothing under realistic conditions were carried out over an 8 week period. Further wearer trials examined the performance of station wear, sports wear, control staff wear and corporate wear.
The video opposite shows actual footage from the trials and interviews with those who took part.
The clothing on offer is well equipped to address the needs of a modern, diverse workforce with a range of styles and sizes to suit all staff. The firefighter’s protective clothing comes from the very successful Ergotech Action™ range with PBI Gold™ outer fabrics and the station wear has been designed to be fully compatible, with fabrics selected for their technical performance and comfort.
The station wear, sports wear and corporate wear ranges reflect a new colour scheme of red, grey and charcoal, designed to provide a clearly identifiable image to the public.
click here for answers to some frequently asked questions about ICP. More information about the clothing, including photos, can be found on the Bristol Uniforms website, ICP page click here.
The Integrated Clothing Project (ICP) is the first national procurement project for clothing for Fire and Rescue Services (FRS).