At Hunter Apparel Solutions Limited (Hunter) we understand the value and the importance of selecting the right fire PPE is one of the most critical procurement decisions a fire and rescue service (FRS) can make. Not only is it about protecting lives in high-risk environments, but it’s also about ensuring long-term value, serviceability, firefighter health and operational performance.

At Hunter we’ve supported fire services for almost 90 years, and we know that the right gear goes far beyond just initial specification.

Here are five key factors every FRS should consider when sourcing fire PPE:

1. Scalability and Manufacturing Capacity

When demand is high, especially in national or multi-regional rollouts, manufacturing capacity becomes mission critical. Your supplier must demonstrate proven capability at scale.

At Hunter, when it comes to EN 469 suits we exclusively partner with Texport®, owners of the largest firefighting PPE manufacturing facility in Europe. In 2024 Texport produced 200,000 firefighting suits – no one else comes close! Their track record includes producing the largest single production order in fire PPE history—delivering 48,000 firefighting suits for the German Army and delivering on time. This capability gives procurement teams confidence that even the most ambitious rollouts can be delivered on time, without compromising on quality. When you need production at scale Hunter can help.

2. Aftercare, Inspection & Decontamination Services

A fire suit’s life does not end at delivery—it begins. Modern PPE must be routinely inspected, repaired, and professionally decontaminated to maintain its protective performance and extend its usable life. Compliance with BS EN ISO 23616:2024 is now key for all brigades. We can help!

Hunter provides end-to-end inspection, repair, and advanced decontamination services through our innovative HunterCARE® programme. We already support over 60% of Ireland’s firefighters through smart, trackable care, ensuring that every garment is fit for purpose and fully compliant with current standards also using our advance LC02+ Deconolgy® decontamination solution.

3. Alignment of Economic Importance

One often overlooked factor is the alignment of your contract’s economic value with the supplier’s operating scale. If your contract is too small to be important to a large supplier, it can lead to a misaligned, sub-optimal service —you may not be prioritised, or receive the responsiveness your team requires.

At Hunter, we operate with a right-sized partner approach. We work with fire services of all sizes and treat every contract with strategic significance. Our structure means you’ll never be lost in the noise—your requirements matter, and we deliver with accountability. We are large enough to cope and small enough to care. In 2020 we scaled and delivered 55 million units of Covid PPE!

4. Technical Expertise and Product Knowledge

Fire PPE is highly technical. Procurement teams should expect their supplier to bring deep product knowledge, material science understanding, and insights from global developments in PPE.

Hunter combines decades of experience with close relationships with our suppliers, and active engagement in annual Module D BTTG audits. Our in-house design and technical teams ensure that every product meets or exceeds EN standards and performs reliably in the field.

5. Digitalisation and Lifecycle Tracking

Managing a suite of PPE can be complex. The ability to track, audit, and manage each garment through its lifecycle is a growing priority. With HunterPAC®, HunterCARE®, and our smart barcode/RFID tracking, you gain full visibility over every item’s condition, repair history, and lifespan. This ensures safer equipment, better budget planning, and simpler compliance reporting.

In Summary

We’re not talking just about a kit — it’s lifesaving Fire PPE. Choosing the right provider means looking beyond price and spec sheets. It’s about strategic fit, aftercare infrastructure, digital management tools, and a proven ability to deliver what matters: better protection, better performance, and better health outcomes.

Hunter has been doing just that for decades and we’re ready to help protect your firefighters better.

Contact us today to get started at sales@hunterapparelsolutions.com

Interested in decontamination of Fire kits? Read more about our award winning Deconology® services, the first to be offered to the UK and Ireland, click here: Deconology® | Hunter Apparel Solutions