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Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

Introduction to Fire Fighting

Luke Riddle

Anderson 1 & 2 CTC

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Objectives

  • Describe the purpose of protective clothing and equipment
  • Describe the NFPA standards related to personal protective equipment
  • Describe the physical requirements of wearing personal protective equipment and need for hydration and safety
  • Describe the characteristics of protective clothing and equipment

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Objectives

  • Describe the different types of personal protective equipment
  • Summarize guidelines for the care of personal protective clothing
  • Describe donning and doffing personal protective equipment
  • Demonstrate doffing personal protective equipment

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Objectives

  • Describe the personal protective equipment used in the EMS field
  • Describe the personal protective equipment used in technical rescue
  • Describe the personal protective equipment used in wild land firefighting
  • Describe the personal protective equipment used in hazardous materials incidents

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Objectives

  • Describe ARFF personal protective gear

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Why do Fire Fighters Wear Gear?

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NFPA Standards

  • NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health

Requires Fire Fighters to use PPE

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What are the pieces of PPE that NFPA requires?

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NFPA Standards

  • NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting
  • All turnout gear must meet this standard to be approved for structural fire fighting
  • Approved turnout gear will state that it is NFPA 1971 compliant on the label inside the gear.

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Physical Requirements

  • Heat Stress/Overexertion is the #1 Killer of Fire Fighters
  • Fire Fighters Must Keep in Mind the Added Toll That Turnout Gear Will Place on the Body
  • Fire Fighters Should Stay In Good Physical Condition
  • Fire Fighters Must Make Sure to Stay Hydrated
  • Fire Fighters Must Use Rehab On Scenes and in Training

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Fire Helmets

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Fire Helmets

  • Wide Brimmed to Protect Back of Neck From Hot Water and Embers
  • Protect the Head From Impact of Falling Objects
  • Protect the Head From Heat
  • Face Shields Provide a Secondary Protection for the Face and the Eyes

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Wearing Fire Helmets

  • Chin Straps Should be Pulled Snug
  • Ear Flaps Should be Pulled Down
  • Face Shields Should be Pulled Down Whenever Hazards are Present

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Fire Helmet Styles

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Leather Fire Helmets

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Traditional Fire Helmets

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Metro Fire Helmets

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Phoenix “LA Style” Helmets

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F1 Fire Helmets

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Fire Helmet Colors

  • Fire Helmet Colors Often Signify a Particular Rank or Position in the Fire Service
  • Fire Helmet Colors Vary for Each Fire Department
  • White Helmets Typically Signify a Chief or an Officer

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Fire Helmet Leather Front Pieces

  • Placed on the Front of Leather, Traditional, Phoenix, and Occasionally Metro Styled Helmets
  • Also Called Leather Shields
  • Front Pieces Often Identify Name of Fire Fighter, Rank, and Company Assignment
  • Front Pieces Vary For Fire Departments

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FDNY Fire Helmet Shields

  • FDNY Shields have FF’s ID Number on Bottom
  • Shield has a Removable Centerpiece with a Number that Represents Co. Number
  • Color of Centerpiece Identifies Type of Truck

Black-Engine

Red-Ladder

Blue-Rescue

Yellow-Squad

Green-HAZMAT and Marine Units

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Boston Leather Shields

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Metro Leather Shields

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Types of Fire Helmet Eye Protection

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Shields

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Goggles

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Defender Shields

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Bourkes

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History of the Bourkes Eye Shields

  • Invented by FDNY Fire Fighter Lester Bourke
  • Bourke’s face was Injured in a Fire and He Saw the Need for Fire Helmet Eye Protection
  • He First Tried Army Issued Goggles, but They Fogged Up During Use
  • Invented the Bourkes in 1965 After He Saw a Mechanic Discard a Speedometer Spring
  • Cairns Bought the Design in 1966

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Primary Forms of Eye Protection

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Safety Glasses

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SCBA Masks

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Protective Hoods

  • Also Known as Flash Hoods
  • Protects Ears Neck and Face From Heat
  • Typically Made of Nomex, Kevlar, or PBI
  • Come in Different Styles and Colors

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Flash Hoods

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Protective Fire Coats

  • Also Called Turnout Coats
  • Must Meet NFPA 1971 Standard
  • Must Have an Inner Liner and Have 3 Layers of Protection: Outer Shell, Moisture Barrier, Thermal Barrier
  • Must Have Reflective Striping

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Protective Fire Coats

  • The Barriers Serve to Trap Insulating Air That Inhibits the Transfer of Heat From the Outside to the Fire Fighter’s Body
  • Protects From Some Direct Flame Contact, Steam, Hot Water, and Cold Temperatures
  • Collars Must be Closed, Wristlets (If Applicable) Must be Worn, and All Zips, Snaps, and Velcros Closed

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Protective Fire Coats

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Protective Fire Pants

  • Also Called Bunker Pants or Turnout Pants
  • Must Have the Same Characteristics of the Turnout Coats and Meet NFPA 1971
  • Many Styles Also Have Reinforced Knees and Suspenders

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Protective Fire Pants

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Suspenders

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Fire Boots

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  • Can be made of Rubber or Leather

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  • Boots are steel toed and have a steel midsole plate

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Rubber Fire Boots

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Leather Fire Boots

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Fire Gloves

  • Gloves Protect Against Heat and Cold
  • Resistant to Cuts, Punctures, and Liquid Absorption
  • Must be Tactile and Not Bulky

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Caring For Fire Gear

  • PPE Must Be Cleaned After Each Use
  • Soot and Dirt on PPE Absorbs Heat Faster Than Clean PPE
  • All Gear Must Be Inspected After Each Use
  • Gear Should Be Cleaned According to Manufacturer Recommendations

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Donning Fire Gear

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Demonstration

Donning Gear From Street Clothes to All PPE Minus SCBA. This Should Take Less Than 1 Minute

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Doffing Fire Gear

  • Gear Should be Taken off Only After Fire Scene is No Longer IDLH or Fire Fighter is Out of Hot Zone
  • Gear Should be Placed Back in the Ready Position After Use

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EMS PPE

  • Safety Goggles For Splash Protection For the Eyes
  • HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Mask For Protection From Airborne Diseases
  • Gloves Preferably Nitrile and Not Latex

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Technical Rescue PPE

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Technical Rescue PPE

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Technical Rescue PPE

  • Helmet can be Fire or Rescue with Eye Protection
  • Steel Toed Shoes or Boots
  • NON FIRE Gloves
  • Coveralls or Pants Preferred

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Swiftwater PPE

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Swiftwater PPE

  • Wet Suit or Dry Suit
  • PFD (Coast Guard Approved Life Vest)
  • Helmet
  • Gloves
  • Water Shoes or Boots

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Wildland Fire Fighting PPE

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Wildland Fire Fighting PPE

  • Must Meet NFPA 1977 Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting
  • PPE Consists of Helmet With Goggles and Neck Protection, Coat and Pants or 1 Piece Jumpsuit, Gloves, and Boots
  • Long Sleeve T-Shirts Should be Worn if Coat Only Has One Layer

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HAZMAT PPE

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ARFF PPE

  • ARFF Fire Fighters Wear Proximity Suits That are Rated for Higher Temperatures Than Structural Fire Fighting Gear

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Questions???