Fire-Dex, a supplier of PPE for first responders, has launched the Virtual Sizer, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to quickly and precisely measure firefighters for new turnout gear, minimizing safety risks from improper fit, such as exposed skin or restricted movement.
Fire-Dex officials say the Virtual Sizer uses AI-driven algorithms and simple questions (like height, weight, and shoe size) to accurately capture measurements in minutes.
“We’ve already seen more than 6,500 entries,” said Todd Herring, Fire-Dex’s vice president of product innovation and strategy at Fire-Dex. “We’ve actually been testing and refining this technology internally for over five years to ensure accuracy before making it widely available.”
The traditional sizing process inherently involves variations and inconsistencies due to differences in judgment, measurement techniques, and human error, Fire-Dex said, whereas the Virtual Sizer eliminates those inconsistencies, which leads to better fitting PPE.
“The technology is backed by over 150 million AI-generated digital twins and validated through extensive firefighter-specific data,” Herring said. “It’s precise, tested, and constantly improving with every use – meaning the more firefighters use it, the smarter and more accurate it becomes.”
The Virtual Sizer has already been tested on the City of Memphis Fire Department in Tennessee, Fire-Dex said. The department began using the Virtual Sizer for measuring remote recruits, particularly those coming from out of town, and received accurate sizing without the usual time, travel, and logistical hurdles, which enhances its ability to recruit from a wider geographic pool.
“Our AI tool streamlines ordering, but the real winners here are the firefighters,” Herring said. “The process is faster, but more importantly, emergency responders end up with gear that fits well and lets them focus on the job.”