Research for Civil Security

12 „SmaRt ClOthES“SensProClothIntegrated sensory protective clothing system for fire brigades and disaster managementmotivationDuring disasters and large-scale emergencies, thosewho provide assistance, such as fire-fighters anddisaster relief workers of the THW (German FederalAgency Technische Hilfswerk), perform physicallydemanding tasks and are exposed to other hazards,which are often initially unidentified or difficultto assess. Under the high stress of an operation,personal protective equipment can isolate the bodyfrom the environment, sometimes causing insufficientperception of normal corporeal sensations, environmentalstimuli and hazard warnings. Duringlarge-scale emergencies, orientation is frequentlydifficult and locating forces in distress is often virtuallyimpossible. Used for localisation and to measureenvironmental and corporeal variables, sensorytechnology embedded in the clothing is designedto reduce risk and improve emergency responsecapabilities.Project description and goalsThe aim of the project is therefore to develop anintegrated sensory clothing system for use in theworkplace and as personal protective equipment.The systems to be integrated will comprise a recordingand communications system with localisationto support operations and initiate aid and rescuemeasures for fire brigades and disaster management.In addition, these clothing systems will beequipped with specially adapted sensory technology,electronics and energy supply systems. Thiswill enable them to automatically record and reportenvironmental conditions, such as temperature,position or pollutant exposure. The physiologicalcondition of the wearer will also be monitored inthis way, including information on pulse (ECG),respiration rate and the generation of heat.Special sensors for clothing to report environmental and physiological conditions (source: ITV Denkendorf)