Abstract: Against the backdrop of increasing natural disasters and accelerated urbanization, fire accidents are becoming more frequent. Reasonable use of firefighting and protective equipment is crucial for protecting the personal safety of frontline firefighters and improving rescue efficiency. This article reviews the research trends of firefighting protective clothing, firefighting helmets, firefighting headgear, respiratory protective equipment, firefighting gloves, and firefighting boots for firefighters over the past 10 years. It focuses on the application of new materials in the various layers of firefighting protective clothing and innovative research in structural design. Summarized and analyzed the existing problems of heavy firefighting protective equipment, poor breathability, and poor comfort for firefighters, as well as the lack of protective equipment in extreme environments and the shortcomings of equipment in intelligence, integration, and compatibility. Finally, prospects for the full lifecycle research of firefighting and protective equipment for firefighters were proposed from the aspects of new materials and technologies application, equipment ergonomics, real-life simulation evaluation methods, standardization, and post retirement recycling.

Key words: firefighting and protective equipment, thermal insulation performance, functional materials, fireproof materials, comfort, intelligence