Firefighter turnout gear limits the ability to reach down for an object without flexing the spine.

The restrictive nature of firefighter turnout gear may influence firefighter's ability to lift low-lying objects using strategies aimed at mitigating low back disorder risk. This study examined the influence of each component of firefighter turnout gear on how far they could reach down for an object with their spine physically restricted from forward flexion. Wearing any component of fire gear restricted reach depth (p < 0.001). The greatest amount of restriction, compared to wearing station fatigues, occurred when firefighters wore full gear with boots (12 cm, 95% confidence interval = [10, 14]). There was no statistical difference in restriction when firefighters wore only fire pants versus wearing only fire jacket and oxygen tank. Wearing boots only had a significant impact when firefighters wore full gear (average difference = 2 cm, 95% confidence interval = [1, 3], p < 0.001). Firefighter turnout gear limits the ability to lift low-lying objects without flexing the lumbar spine.