The Integrated Clothing Project (ICP) is the first national procurement project for clothing – from station wear, sportswear through to personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Fire and Rescue Service.

The ICP Board comprises representatives from the English fire service’s nine regions, representatives from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland fire services together with representatives from Communities & Local Government (CLG), the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA), the Fire Service College and the Ministry of Defence’s fire service.

The aim of the project was to create a national identity that addresses equality and diversity issues and to deliver a standard level of appropriate protection for firefighters nationally.

Whether they are fighting fires in buildings, on grassland, dealing with road collisions or tunnel and water rescues, UK firefighters are set to get the very best protective clothing from a new contract between Firebuy and Bristol Uniforms Ltd, the recommended preferred bidder for the Integrated Clothing Project (ICP). The new firefighting kit will offer comprehensive protection in a range of hostile environments.

This project saw the most rigorous and extensive research and evaluation process ever undertaken for a contract of this kind in the history of the fire and rescue service. Amongst many other activities, clothing from all bidders was put to the test over two, four week periods under strictly controlled scientific conditions at the Health & Safety Laboratories in Buxton, Derbyshire in summer 2006. Sixteen male and female volunteer firefighters from around the UK donned sets of protective clothing – including helmets and gloves - provided by four bidding companies and were tested for levels of heat stress, performance, comfort and durability. Rigorous physiological and ergonomic tests were undertaken to simulate physical movement, manual dexterity and hearing attenuation – all designed to gauge the relative performance of the clothing under realistic conditions.

The tests were specifically designed to make sure that gender and equality issues were addressed particularly the fit and comfort of the clothing. Bristol Uniforms Ltd will also provide firefighters’ station and work wear for when they are at their fire stations or providing fire safety advice in their local communities or fitting smoke alarms for the elderly or to homes in deprived areas.