Made in Philadelphia — Built for the Fireground 

Philadelphia-based Ricochet Manufacturing has been crafting high-performance protective gear since 1999. What started as a small EMS and technical-rescue operation has grown into a respected manufacturer of custom turnout gear, all built under one roof.

“We’ve always focused on movement and comfort,” said Peter Askey, Ricochet’s president. “Our Maximum Mobility™ design came from talking directly with firefighters—learning what worked, what didn’t, and building gear that moves with them instead of against them.” 

“Firefighters shouldn’t have to fight their gear to do their job.” - Peter Askey, Ricochet President.

Giving Back: A Gear Giveaway with Purpose

In partnership with Philadelphia Phillies, Kyle Schwarber, Ricochet has launched a regional—and now national—turnout gear giveaway program.

“We gave about 30 sets of gear to three Philadelphia-area volunteer departments this year,” Askey explained. “The departments came to an event with Kyle, took photos, and connected with other firefighters. It was a great experience.” 

Departments simply share their story, explain their need, and Ricochet draws winners.

“Reading those stories is the best part,” Askey added. 

Addressing the PFAS Challenge 

With growing national attention on PFAS-free materials, Askey offered an honest perspective on the evolving standard. 

“PFAS has already been removed from most shells and thermal liners for years,” he said. “Now, the moisture barriers are transitioning too. But removing PFAS affects how materials perform—especially in water and fuel repellency—and we’re seeing faster wear in some cases.” 

Ricochet continues to test, improve, and help departments navigate the tradeoffs as the industry transitions.

Engineering for Movement: The Maximum Mobility™ Advantage

Ricochet’s design philosophy centers on how firefighters actually move on the job. 

“We studied mobility—how the body moves when you’re wearing an air pack, climbing ladders, or crawling,” Askey explained. “We added a bi-swing panel through all three layers of the jacket and a shaped underarm gusset that keeps cuffs and coverage in place when reaching overhead.” 

On the pants, a bi-swing knee relieves tension when lifting the leg, climbing, or crawling—eliminating the dreaded “gear creep” that exposes the ankle. 

“If you’re going up a ladder, you should only be fighting gravity—not your turnout pants.” — Peter Askey 

Listening to Women in the Fire Service

One of Ricochet’s customer-driver projects is its Women’s Fit Initiative, which starts with a nationwide survey. 

“We’re talking directly with female firefighters,” Askey said. “We want to know exactly where current gear falls short—fit, rise, waist, jacket length—so we can fix it. Most ‘women’s cuts’ are just smaller men’s gear. That’s not enough.” 

By collecting broad feedback first, Ricochet aims to engineer truly functional turnout gear for women without compromising protection or accessibility. 

Customization and Craftsmanship

Ricochet’s flexibility was born out of necessity. Early on, the company served mostly small EMS departments that wanted custom colors, trim, and pocket placements. 

“Ten sets was a big order,” Askey laughed. “We said yes to everything just to stay busy—and that taught us how to manufacture with precision at a small scale.” 

Today, that adaptability allows Ricochet to deliver fully customized gear efficiently, whether it’s for a major metro department or a small volunteer company. 

Innovation Ahead: Sizing and Visualization

Looking forward, Ricochet is exploring video-based sizing tools to ensure accuracy and comfort and online gear configuration tools. 

“We’re also working on digital configurators that let departments see their exact gear in 3D before ordering—where pockets are placed, how it fits, how it looks,” said Askey. “It’s all about improving the experience from start to finish.” 

A Culture of Listening

More than anything, Askey believes Ricochet’s strength lies in its people and their mindset. 

“We love having firefighters visit our facility,” he said. “We always learn something new from them. That constant feedback loop—listening, testing, improving—is what sets us apart. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to help firefighters move safer, work smarter, and go home healthy.” 

“Mobility is safety. If you can’t move, you can’t perform—and that puts you at risk. We build gear that moves with you.” — Peter Askey