AMES, Iowa --
Iowa State University scientists are working to develop new lightweight clothes that can protect firefighters in dangerous conditions.
"It's the best job in the world," said Ames firefighter Eric Deters. "We love it."
But firefighters also get an intense workout in severe heat with 50 pounds of gear.
"Your body heat does go up a little bit. Your heart's beating harder, you're breathing faster," Deters said. "It's hard work."
"That firefighting gear they have to wear really costs them a lot in extra energy expenditure," said ISU professor Rick Sharp.
He said that's why, months after designing a record-setting speed suit for Olympic swimmers, the same ISU researchers are looking to help firefighters.
"As a researcher, my main goal is to help the well-being of the human," said ISU assistant professor Young-A Lee.
All month, they've been putting firefighters through a familiar drill, working out in a 100-degree sweatbox.
"They do that once while wearing just normal exercise clothing and then another time wearing their usual firefighting gear," Sharp said.
The researchers use treadmills and 3-D imaging to calculate wasted energy and find ways to build suits that won't be so physically draining.
"If they sense it's easier to perform a given task, then maybe they can do it longer, have fewer mistakes and fight fires more efficiently," Sharp said.
"We still want to be able to go in there and fight the fire, but we want to not have to work as hard, so we can be in there longer," said Deters.
Changes like pocket positions, vents and fitting might seem minor, but they could make a dramatic difference.
"The fit of the garment is a critical part when they work in the work environment," Lee said.
Once the researchers finish studying how firefighters work, they plan to design a better-fitting and more comfortable coat and pants. They said the process might take five years or so to hit the market.
The scientists are also still working to improve the swimming speed suits, hoping to make them even more aerodynamic before the 2012 Olympics in London.
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