Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

Firefighter PPE Firefighters require the best PPE available because of the hostile environment in which they perform their duties. 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 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. Proper PPE does not guarantee safety, but can reduce & prevent injury when properly used & worn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wildland (Brush) PPE Wildland Firefighting gear is covered by: 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. Structural gear is generally too bulky, hot & heavy for Wildland Firefighting. Wildland gear includes: Wildland gear includes: Gloves Gloves Goggles Goggles Brush jackets/pants or one piece jumpsuits Brush jackets/pants or one piece jumpsuits Head & neck protection Head & neck protection Footwear Footwear

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

Care of PPE All parts of the ensemble should be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. All parts of the ensemble should be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. Cleanliness effects the performance of coats, trousers, hoods & gloves. Cleanliness effects the performance of coats, trousers, hoods & gloves. Clean outer shells have better fire resistance. Dirty shells absorb more heat. 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. 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. Turnouts should be cleaned through a cleaning service or FD facility equipped to handle contaminants.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)