Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

1. Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

2. Firefighter PPE • Firefighters require the best PPE available because of the hostile environment in which they perform their duties. • All equipment discussed is required by NFPA 1500 Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety & Health Program • Proper PPE does not guarantee safety, but can reduce & prevent injury when properly used & worn.

3. Structural Firefighting PPE(Turnouts) • Bunker gear, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear & interface components (hoods & wristlets) must comply with and have a permanently affixed label in accordance with: NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Firefighting

4. Structural Firefighting PPE • The permanently attached and conspicuous label must display the following: • Manufacturers name, ID or designation • Manufacturers address • Country of manufacture • Manufacturer’s …ID number or lot number or serial number • Month & year of manufacture (not coded) • Model name, number or design • Size or range • Garment materials (coats, trousers, coveralls or hoods) • Footwear size & width (boots) • Cleaning precautions

5. Structural Firefighting PPE • Helmet • Protects the head from impact & puncture injuries as well as scalding water • Protective Hood • Protects portions of the face, neck & ears not covered by the helmet or coat

6. Structural Firefighting PPE • Coat & Trousers (Bunker Gear/Bunkers) • Protect trunk & limbs against cuts, abrasions & burn injuries & provide limited protection from corrosives. • Gloves • Protects the hands from cuts, wounds and burns.

7. Structural Firefighting PPE • Safety Shoes or Boots • Protect the feet from burn injuries or punctures • Eye Protection • Protects the wearer’s eyes from flying solid particles or liquids.

8. Structural Firefighting PPE • Hearing Protection • Limits noise-induced damage to the ears when loud noise situations can’t be avoided • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus • Protects face & lungs from toxic smoke & products of combustion

9. Structural Firefighting PPE • Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) • Provides life safety protection by emitting a loud shriek if the FF should collapse or remain motionless for @30 seconds

10. Wildland (Brush) PPE • Wildland Firefighting gear is covered by: NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing & Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting • Structural gear is generally too bulky, hot & heavy for Wildland Firefighting. • Wildland gear includes: • Gloves • Goggles • Brush jackets/pants or one piece jumpsuits • Head & neck protection • Footwear

11. Station/Work Uniforms • Certain synthetic fabrics should never be worn. These fabrics melt & stick to skin. • Acceptable fabrics include: • Organic fibers such as wool & cotton • Synthetic fabrics such as Kevlar, Nomex, PBI, Kynol, Gore-Tex, Orlon, neoprene, Teflon, silicone & panotex. • All Station uniforms should comply with: NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Firefighters

12. Care of PPE • All parts of the ensemble should be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. • Cleanliness effects the performance of coats, trousers, hoods & gloves. • Clean outer shells have better fire resistance. Dirty shells absorb more heat. • Dirty turnouts also add the risk of you taking carcinogen particulate home to loved ones every time you wear them. • Turnouts should be cleaned through a cleaning service or FD facility equipped to handle contaminants.

13. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus(SCBA)