By Joseph Murray
As an avid hiker, I learned very early on the importance of quality footwear. Using a properly fitted hiking boot made of quality materials was a game changer for me in terms of the amount of miles I was able to put behind me as well as keeping my feet protected and pain free.
Through my hiking experiences, I learned an important lesson that I hadn’t really thought about in all my years as a firefighter: Proper footwear matters. The human foot has 26 bones; 33 joints; and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These all work together to keep a person balanced, mobile, and supported. Protecting your firefighters’ feet from injury is extremely important, as their feet are an essential component of their gait and overall body alignment. When the feet are injured, it can often result in secondary injuries to the hips, knees, and back. Ensuring that your firefighters’ feet are properly supported and protected is an extremely important aspect of their overall physical health.
As any firefighter who has spent a good number of hours working a stubborn fire can attest, poorly fitted or poor-quality firefighting boots can make a miserable fire even more miserable. Many of us have pulled our boots off only to find blisters and blood after a long night of action. With that in mind, it does seem perplexing that purchasing fire boots is often more of an afterthought when compared with the time and research that is usually undertaken by fire departments in choosing other items of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as turnout gear, helmets, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Every fireground poses risks to our firefighters. Firefighting boots must not only protect from flame and heat exposure, but they must also keep feet dry, protect from sharp objects and debris, support and protect the ankle and foot, maintain good traction in a wet or frozen environment, and assist in the maintenance of balance in an unpredictable environment. A carefully chosen firefighting boot can profoundly impact firefighter safety, efficiency, and comfort on the fireground.
SAFETY CONCERNS
As with all of the fire service’s PPE, it is essential that department-issued footwear is compliant with applicable industry standards. Fire chiefs should ensure that any boots considered meet the requirements of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulation 1910.136, which requires the fire department to provide protective footwear for employees who work in hazardous areas where there is a potential for foot injury from falling, rolling, sharp objects, and electrical hazards. Firefighting boots that meet the requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, meet and exceed the OSHA requirements, and a fire chief can rest assured that NFPA 1971-compliant boots have been vigorously tested for heat and thermal resistance, thermal insulation, liquid penetration resistance, cut and puncture resistance, electrical insulation, and corrosion resistance. While there are many other considerations involved in the decision-making process, NFPA compliance is obviously an important starting point.
PROPER FIT AND COMFORT
The importance of a properly fitted boot cannot be understated. Firefighting boots must provide protection and support while still allowing for flexibility and comfort. Ankle support is an extremely important aspect of a proper fit as it provides protection when firefighters are traversing uneven surfaces. Various designs of boots can provide varying levels of ankle support. Boots that follow the anatomical curves of the foot naturally provide more comfort and keep feet in an optimum position. Proper fit also aids in preventing blisters and other damage to the foot caused by unnecessary movement and friction within the boot.
The comfort of firefighting boots is another important factor to consider. Firefighters work in a variety of hazardous environments that often require them to be on their feet for long periods of time. Firefighting boots must fit well to allow for the necessary range of movements.
Firefighters are expected to crawl, walk, run, and climb in their boots, all of which contribute to fatigue. Comfortable boots can help reduce fatigue by providing cushioning and support, which reduces the strain on the legs and feet. It is important that boots provide good arch support and breathability to prevent blisters and other foot injuries, which allows firefighters to focus on the task at hand instead of their aching feet. Investment in high-quality, well-fitting boots will not only provide immediate comfort but can also help prevent longer-term foot, ankle, and leg injuries that result from continued use of poor-quality footwear.
MATERIALS
While “traditional vs. modern” firefighting helmets is undoubtedly the most passionately debated firefighter PPE topic, a close second is the “leather vs. rubber” fire boots topic. Many manufacturers offer both rubber and leather options that meet NFPA 1971 specifications, while others specialize in one or the other. Both rubber and leather have their benefits and detriments. While there have been a number of scientific studies on which material is better for firefighting operations, the results are generally inconclusive and, at times, even contradictory.
Rubber boots have long been seen as more waterproof, more durable, and more flexible. Many believe that rubber boots are easier to decontaminate; however, this assumption has been called into question after studies have indicated that this may not be the case for certain contaminants.
Leather boots generally provide better ankle support and are more slip-resistant. Leather boots also are usually lighter, which reduces fatigue and exertion on the fireground. Leather boots are generally more costly than rubber boots and are priced anywhere from 25% to 100% higher. However, depending on their durability and service life compared with rubber, the cost difference may be nominal.
WEIGHT
The weight of firefighting boots has a significant impact on firefighter fatigue levels. As fatigue is a significant contributing factor to injury on the fireground, it is important to consider the weight of the boots, which has been found to affect the way firefighters naturally move their lower body. Joint loading at the hips and knees is significantly increased with heavier boots during normal gait. Heavier boots can lead to trips and may interfere with a firefighter’s ability to clear obstacles. Heavier boots increase the amount of exertion, which leads to higher air consumption. Fire chiefs must strike a balance between the type of materials and protective features vs. the ability to lessen weight and reduce fatigue.
SELECTION PROCESS
Today, most firefighting boots found on the market or at vendor expos are NFPA 1971 compliant, but that shouldn’t limit additional research. While NFPA 1971 compliance is a good starting point, fire chiefs must keep in mind that it is, in fact, the minimum standard. Your department should conduct continued research and testing to determine the best boot for your firefighters based on the criteria discussed above.
Forming a committee to research, test, and evaluate various firefighting boots is an advisable first step in the selection process. As fire chiefs, it is important that we allow those who will be using firefighting boots the most to have an opportunity to participate in the process. Members selected for this committee should be committed to undertaking initial research both online and with various vendors. The committee should obtain multiple pairs of “test boots” of various designs from numerous manufacturers. Once obtained, they should be put through various and repetitive evolutions that replicate actual uses on the fireground in combination with actual use on the fireground. It is also important that multiple firefighters test out the same manufacturer, brand, and design of a particular boot.
As everyone’s feet are different, it is important to obtain feedback on the same boot from multiple firefighters, especially if the intent is to supply everyone on your department with the same boot. Finally, it is important that the same firefighters try out all of the test boots. Having the same firefighters test multiple types of boots is an important step in the research collection as it allows the firefighters to compare and contrast multiple boots to gain a good understanding of what works best for them during firefighting operations.
With all that fire chiefs have to contend with these days, determining the type of firefighting boots your team uses may not initially register as a high priority; however, many studies have shown that the choice of firefighting boots can have a significant impact on fireground injuries, fireground fatigue, and fireground injuries caused by fatigue.
Although often an afterthought, firefighting boots play an essential role in firefighter safety and efficiency. When properly researched, tested, and specified, firefighting boots can protect firefighters from injury and significantly reduce fireground fatigue. While the first priority in the selection of any PPE should be its ability to protect, there are many other additional considerations that must go into boot selection such as weight, comfort, durability, materials, and design.
A fire chief should engage those who use firefighter boots on a daily basis to assist in the selection processes. While firefighting boots are not always a “one-size-fits-all” solution, a well-planned and comprehensive selection process can lead to a boot choice that better protects your firefighters while reducing fatigue and improving comfort, all of which can lead to a more efficient fireground.
JOSEPH MURRAY, Ph.D., is chief and emergency management coordinator for the Dearborn (MI) Fire Department.
