The ACTIVE PCP project aims to address critical gaps in personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders facing increasingly complex threats, whether man-made or natural. They operate in hazardous and unpredictable environments, from CBRN-E incidents to natural disasters, where effective protection is critical to ensure their safety, maintain operational readiness, and enable swift responses. Innovations in PPE tailored to these shared needs not only enhance individual safety but also foster interoperability across multi-stakeholder groups during joint operations. However, current PPE limitations expose vulnerabilities that affect responder safety, performance, and morale, ultimately hindering emergency services’ and first responders’ ability to protect people, animals, and property. ACTIVE PCP seeks to leverage innovative procurement methods to stimulate research and development in the private sector, encouraging the creation of cutting-edge PPE solutions tailored to the unique challenges of modern emergency response. Through this approach, the project aspires to set new benchmarks in responder safety, efficiency, and interoperability, ultimately enhancing the resilience of emergency response systems across Europe.