PPE FIREFIGHTER

When you hear the term PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), your first thought is probably your structural PPE. Many firefighters consider their structural PPE their only Protection. It must be a one-size-fits-all option for personal Protection. Let’s discuss PPE firefighter.

Your job isn’t a one-size fits all job. Fire service is just one of a handful of vocations, or in the case of volunteer firefighters, hobbies with a wide range of needs for PPE. You can deliver the following services, just a few examples:

Fire extinguishment in multi-level structures
Rescue a patient who is severely injured in a car accident.
You can fight a wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire that threatens homes in your locality.
Conduct a restricted rescue of a contractor who sustained a medical emergency while working inside a utility tunnel.

Each tactical operation has risks, but firefighters can minimize them using the correct type of PPE. There are many options for PPE beyond the traditional structural ones. It is a broad range of options and can be used by you and your brothers and sisters in firefighting. Let’s take a look at some of these options.

Firefighter Gloves

No matter what job you are required to do, one thing is sure: you must have adequate Protection for your hands. You have many options today to find gloves that offer security and functionality.

All NFPA standards, which address protective gear, clothing, and ensembles for PPE firefighter firefighting, wildland, WUI, and technical rescue, include the requirements for gloves.

When shopping for structural firefighting gloves, it is essential to consider thermal Protection and fit. I covered this topic in 2018. “Some firefighters choose gloves that are too tight because they mistakenly believe that tighter gloves equal more excellent dexterity. It reduces the thermal barrier, which results in less trapped heat, less insulation from heat, and more heat transmission to the hands.

Non-structural firefighting gloves have seen a dramatic increase in the number of options and functionality. Gloves now offer more excellent Protection from cuts and abrasions and skill in using tools. To see an overview of the options available for non-structural and structural firefighting gloves, visit “The expanding world gloves for firefighters and your jobs.”

Firefighter structural firefighting boots

You may have heard, “If your dog bark, nothing feels good.“

Leather was the most common material used to make the first firefighting boots in the 1930s, the first introduced rubber fire boots in the United States. The early 2000s saw the return of leather structural firefighting boot that was lighter, more comfortable, and fit better for firefighters.

Boot manufacturers have improved on the design of the earlier leather structural firefighting boots. You can find a lot of information about firefighter footwear, and there are many options for boot choices.

For tips on choosing the best firefighting boots for the job, see “How to Choose the Right Firefighting Boot for the Job” for some ideas.

Firefighter PPE – Working around water.

A typical high-risk/low-frequency emergency incident for many fire departments has their firefighters working in or around areas with floodwaters. In this work environment, you must use a Class III or IV personal flotation device (PFD), as recreational PFDs are unsuitable for emergency responders who need to be buoyant around floodwaters.

Don’t forget to protect your head in case of water rescue situations. Your structural firefighting headgear is precisely that, a structural firefighting headgear. Water rescue helmets offer more Protection from impacts, particularly side impacts, and are lighter than other options. They are designed to drain the water from the helmet if you get submerged in water.

Turnout Gear undergarments

Synthetic fibers make performance underwear that wicks moisture away from the skin. It helps keep you more relaxed. It’s not surprising that firefighters are drawn to these undergarments for their comfort while on the job.

The U.S. Forest Service sponsored the paper “Tests of Undergarments Exposed to Fire,” which shares the possibility that firefighters who wear synthetic undergarments are more likely to sustain burn injuries because the synthetic materials could melt and stick to the skin. However, undergarments made from 100% cotton or 100% wool fibers didn’t ignite, melt, or char during testing.

To produce fire-resistant undergarments, most manufacturers use one or more of these aramid fibers (strong and heat-resistant synthetic fibers):

Polyacrylonitrile oxidized
Meta-Aramid (Nomex)
Modacrylic is a manufactured fiber that contains less than 85% but at least 35% of acrylonitrile units.
Para-Aramid (Kevlar)
Polybenzimidazole (PBI)

These base components are blended with additional strengthening fibers like nylon or Spandex to provide a better fit and longer wear time.

To be more environmentally sensitive, manufacturers are now using lyocell. For the replacement of silk or cotton, we use semi-synthetic fabric. Lyocell, a rayon, is made mainly of cellulose derived primarily from wood. Lyocell fiber, also known as Lenzing or Tencel, provides heat- and flame resistance in various fabric blends.

Firefighter eye protection

NFPA 1971: Standard for Protective Ensembles to Structural Fire Fighting or Proximity Fire Fighting requires fire helmets to include protective goggles or a face shield. NFPA 1500: Standard for Fire Department Occupational Safety & Health Program gives guidance and direction to firefighter eye protection. It stipulates that a firefighter not wearing an SCBA facepiece must wear primary Protection when operating on a fire ground.

The standard defines primary eye protection as Protection that meets the requirements of ANSI/ISEA Z87.1: American National Standard For Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection. ANSI Z87.1 requires that can use only safety glasses and goggles to protect the eyes. Face shields cannot.

Will only use Eye-protection equipment consistently if it is easy to use, meets their needs, and can be seen through.

Hearing protection

One in five Americans has hearing loss. 80% of Americans do not know how to deal with it. It is because hearing loss happens gradually. While most people have an eye exam every other month, few receive regular hearing tests.

Protect your hearing by purchasing hearing protection equipment. Earmuffs, noise-reducing earplugs, and ear canal caps can help reduce noise exposure. It will also reduce your risk of hearing loss. You must use it, just like eye protection.

Unique risks require silver PPE

Your fire department and you provide various services to the communities you serve. While each service comes with its risks, some situations have their risks. It would be best to have the proper PPE Firefighter to reduce those risks.

John

Hi, I am John Smit a Captain in Fire Department City of Newyork with over years of experience in the field of Firefighting and HSE. My passion for fire safety started when I was a young boy and witnessed a neighbor’s house go up in flames along with precious lives. Since then, I had dedicated my life to ensuring the safety of buildings, properties, and individuals in case of a fire and medical emergencies.