Best Cooling Products for Responders
The work doesn't stop when the heat rises
Disaster response means long shifts and heavy labor, often in protective gear that traps heat.
After Hurricane Beryl (Houston, 2024), researchers found that post-storm conditions were unsafe for unacclimatized relief workers doing moderate-to-heavy labor 74–100% of the time. Source: Grundstein et al., GeoHealth (AGU), University of Georgia
Once restrictive protective gear was added, conditions were unsafe in every scenario.
ThermApparel cooling gear pulls heat away from the body to lower core temperature, so your people can stay safe and keep working.
Why Businesses Trust ThermApparel Cooling Gear
Built for the people who keep working
- FEMA Reservists and CORE deployers on extended field assignments
- Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs)
- Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews working door to door
- Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) staff in temporary facilities
- Logistics, staging and Public Assistance field personnel
- Crime scene, hazmat and decontamination teams in protective suits
UltraCool
Maximum Cooling best for: Hazmat, decon, heavy labor
- Prevents Overheating: Powerful cooling for teams in heavy gear where heat buildup is intense
- Reliable 3-4 Hours Cooling: Long-lasting chilled relief to keep teams comfortable through extended shifts
- Improves Performance: Helps maintain focus and energy by preventing heat fatigue and heat stress during intense physical activity
- Durable, Adjustable Design: Fits all body types with 8-10 cooling packs for full-torso coverage without restricting movement
- Silent & Dry Cooling: Electricity-free and condensation-free, it won’t add humidity inside PPE or hazmat suits, helping teams stay cooler.
UnderCool 3
Concealable, Lightweight Cooling best for: Uniformed staff, DSA, and DRC teams
- Concealable & Lightweight: Ultra-light, low-profile design fits discreetly under any uniform or polo without bulk.
- Prevents Overheating: Keeps teams cool and comfortable during intense, active roles.
- Reliable 1.5–2-Hour Cooling: Provides focused cooling for hot areas.
- Durable, Flexible Fit: Adjustable straps and 4-way stretch fabric ensure a full range of motion.
- Discreet Colors: Available in black or white to match clothing and uniforms.
- Silent & Dry Cooling: Electricity-free and condensation-free, it won’t add to the humidity, helping teams stay cooler and dry.
RallyWrap
On and off in seconds best for: Shared kits, quick swaps and wide range of body types
- Adjustable Wrap Fit: Wraps around the torso and adjusts to a wide range of body types, so one kit works for a mixed team.
- Fast On and Off: Slips on and off in seconds, so crews can gear up or change out quickly at staging areas and between assignments.
- Reliable 2-3 Hour Cooling: Keeps teams cooled through extended tasks. Swap in fresh packs on site to keep going.
- Silent & Dry Cooling: Electricity-free and condensation-free, with no noise and no wet clothing.
CoolSleeve
Portable and fast cooling best for: Everyone
- Targets Key Cooling Point: Rapid cooling at the radial artery for quick full body cooling relief.
- Versatile Use: Ideal for fast cooling when bulkier vests aren’t practical.
- Lasts 30- 45 Minutes: Perfect for pre-cooling or on-the-go relief during breaks.
- Lightweight & Easy: Slip it on quickly and change the packs effortlessly
Headband
Rapid cooling for recovery best for: Everyone
- Targets Key Cooling Point: Provides cooling to the head or, when worn around the neck, rapid cooling of the carotid artery for quick full-body relief.
- Lasts 30- 45 Minutes: Perfect for pre-cooling or on-the-go relief during breaks.
- Lightweight & Adjustable: Designed for a secure, comfortable fit during rest and light activity.
- Dry Cooling: Delivers cool comfort without moisture, keeping sweat out of the eyes.
How it works
Cool It. Wear It. Go to work.
- Cool it: 30 min in ice water, 45 min in a freezer or 60 min in a fridge. No power needed.
- Wear it: Slip the packs into the vest and wear it under your uniform or PPE
- Go to Work: up to 4 hours of cooling. Swap in a second set and keep going.
Cooling packs are interchangable between main garments and can be reused thousands of times over a 3-year period, and our take-back program recycles them at the end of life.
Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat puts real strain on the heart. For every 1°C (1.8°F) rise in core temperature, your heart adds about 10 extra beats per minute. You don't feel any of that happening. Your body just keeps working to cool itself down.
What you can feel are the warning signs:
Heat exhaustion
- Faint or dizzy
- Fast, weak pulse
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Excessive sweating, muscle cramps
Heat stroke (call 911)
- Throbbing headache
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Hot, red skin, dry or damp
- Body temp 103°F or higher
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Loss of consciousness
The signs are easy to brush off
Most of these feel like something else:
- Nausea? Must have been lunch.
- Tired? Long shift yesterday.
- Headache? Could be a dozen things.
Heat illness can build slowly over hours or hit fast, and that's how it catches people off guard. On a crew, watch each other. Confusion is itself a symptom, so people often can't spot it in themselves.
Download the Know the Signs poster as a printable PDF for staging areas and break tents.
Procurement & bulk ordering
It's easy to buy, from a small business. You get direct access to the owners for sizing, kits, and bulk orders.
We accept Government Purchase Cards for micro-purchases and purchase orders for larger buys.
Call 585-204-0841 or Request a Quote and we will get right back to you.
Request a Quote
| Certification | SBA-Certified WOSB |
| UEI | M8FABWJ2GCL3 |
| CAGE | 84WS9 |
| NAICS | 315990, 339113 |
| Payment | GPC, PO |
| Past performance | U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; state and local forensic teams (CA, NV); national nonprofits |
FAQ
Can I wear it under a hazmat suit?
Can I wear it under a hazmat suit?
Yes. The vests are low-profile and are worn under hazmat suits by crime scene and decon teams in California and Nevada.
How long does the cooling last?
How long does the cooling last?
Up to 4 hours per pack set, depending on heat, workload and layers.
Are the cooling packs interchangeable?
Are the cooling packs interchangeable?
Yes! Our PCM packs fit all of ThermApparel’s main garments for ultimate flexibility and easy swaps.
How do I recharge in the field without power?
How do I recharge in the field without power?
Put the packs in ice water for 30 minutes. A freezer takes 45 minutes and a fridge takes 60.
How do we cool people through a 12-hour shift?
How do we cool people through a 12-hour shift?
Issue two pack sets per person. One set is worn while the other recharges.
Is it safe against the skin?
Is it safe against the skin?
es. Packs freeze at 70°F (21°C), so there is no frostbite risk and no condensation.
Will one size fit our whole team?
Will one size fit our whole team?
Our vests fit 18–64 in. waists. We can help you build a sized kit for a team or a deployment.
How long do the packs last?
How long do the packs last?
They can be reused thousands of times over a 3-year period, and our take-back program recycles them.
Can we pay with a Government Purchase Card?
Can we pay with a Government Purchase Card?
Yes. We accept GPC for micro-purchases and POs for larger orders, and we ship the same day on orders placed before 1 pm ET.
Keep your team safe, cool and on task
Talk to the owners about sizing, kits and bulk pricing for your agency or crew.
Call 585-204-0841 or Request a Quote and we will get right back to you.
Does it work under hazmat suits and PPE
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Evaporative Cooling
- Dangerous in humid conditions.
- Doesn't cool your core
- Only works when wet
- Needs airflow to work
-
ThermApparel PCM
- Works in any climate
- Cools your core body temp
- Lightweight & flexible
- Dry comfortable cooling
-
Gel & Ice
- Works in any climate
- Too cold for direct skin contact
- Heavy & rigid
- Wet from condensation