Improved First Responder Ensembles Against CBRN Terrorism

www.ifreact.eu

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October 2014

Who are we?

• IFREACT is a consortium of CBRN manufacturers, subject-matter experts and end-users from all over Europe

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October 2014

Aim

• Developing an advanced protective ensemble that will enhance the chemical, biological and radiological protection of European first responders in a CBRN crisis.

• terrorist attacks + non-intentional incidents

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October 2014

Current PPE - Far from ideal

As stated in the European Security Research Innovation Forum (ESRIF) final report 2009, current Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is:

• Heavy and bulky• Restricts peripheral vision • A physiological burden/heat stress

interfering with operational duties of first responders

• Lack of related PPE standards• (University of Illinois, 2008)

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

Goals of IFREACTTo develop a PPE system that:

– provides adequate protection while keeping the burden of the system as low as possible;

– includes solutions for respiratory protection and hand and foot protection;

– Enhanced operational capability with variety of innovative add-on.

– allows end-users to best select the PPE system needed for the mission and the expected threat via digital selection tool.

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

IFREACT will go beyond the state-of-the-art

For the 1st time, skin protection (suit) performance will be based on the assessment of:

• Realistic CBRN incident scenarios;• Realistic protective requirements as to quantitative

threat and exposure levels;• Real life First Responder operational needs.

Expected outcome:• Adequate protection (re. threat & user needs),• Lowest possible burden on the wearer,• Simple to use, to maintain and to store.• Optimally compatible with other level C PPE used by

the wearer.• ‘low lifecycle cost’, incl. costs of acquisition, use,

storage & maintenance.

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

HEAVY DUTY SUIT – Design Concept

BalaklavaSafe interface hood/respirator-> designed butyl ring to seal to respirator

Suithuman-engineered design safe interface:Saratoga© (1g = 500m2)Outer textile layer, air permeableOil and water repellent

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

Beyond the state-of-the-art

• Respirator– Key to alleviating physiological and psychological burden of PPE

– Increased flexibility– Panoramic visor– Aeraulic circuit

• Overpressure hood– textile materials that will insure, in addition to the function of protection, the

direction the air flow to cool the head and reduce fogging of visor.

– Over pressure maintained by blower system worn on body

– This equipment should be also compatible with a helmet.

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

Bio-dosimeter

– Lightweight, portable– Airflow rate approx. 10-50L per minute to match adult

breathing rate– 6 hours uninterrupted sampling– Gives access to the biological dose absorbed by the

individual– Periodic reading of these aerosol collectors can

provide evidence of biological incidents

• Sampling- Quick provisional identification by hand-held assays

(immunoassay)

- Further identification through laboratory analysis (PCR, culture, GC/MS…)

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

Communications bubble• Provides dedicated safe network

• Suitcase sized

• 1,500m coverage

• Communication via standard GSM phones

• Capacity for 28 simultaneous calls

• Hands free capability

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

Add-ons - Head Up DisplayIn the command Center:

• Track location and status of responders• Issue orders via text message• View video feed from field• Communicate with field units

head-up display:

• Directional information• Time in hazardous zone• Decon. stations• Duties/tasks• maps and localisation• See messages / alarms• Photograph and stream

video

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

What Next?

• First prototypes are available, modifications and adaptation based on user requirements

• Testing for physiological burden and protective performance are on going (Initial results encouraging).

• Integration of add-ons in one set of systems • Exercise with fully integrated suits involving 30

responders in October

• Dissemination of project results

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014

www.ifreact.eu ana.mikacic@duzs.hr

Future Forces International 2014 Annual Conference, 15-17 October

2014