Format changes have been made to facilitate reproduction. While these research projects have been selected as outstanding, other NFA EFOP and APA format, style, and procedural issues may exist. PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES FOR FIREFIGHTING CHALLENGE THE BALANCE A

Format changes have been made to facilitate reproduction. While these research projects have been selected as outstanding, other NFA EFOP and APA format, style, and procedural issues may exist.- 2-Format changes have been made to facilitate reproduction. While these research projects have been selected as outstanding, other NFA EFOP and APA format, style, and procedural issues may exist. King's Point Volunteer Fire District is a rural, residential community that has recently experienced tremendous growth, as well as an increase in both emergent and non-emergent incidents. With the increase of incidents, King's Point has experienced a number of firefighters, with no apparent sensory deficits, experience slips and falls while wearing protective clothing ensembles. The purpose of this research project was to investigate the affects on a firefighter's center of gravity (COG) and balancing ability when wearing a station uniform as compared to wearing protective clothing ensembles, coupled with a self contain breathing apparatus. This project employed evaluative and historical research methods to (a) determine what deficiencies are encountered while wearing protective ensembles in order to position one's center of gravity (COG) over the base of support (BOS) in a given sensory environment, (b) determin