Firefighters are the unsung heroes of our society. They put their lives on the line every day to protect us from harm, and we often take their service for granted. One of the most important ways firefighters can protect themselves is by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Now you may be wondering just how they can withstand blazing temperatures and smoke while being active helping people. One of the PPE they use is the self contained breathing apparatus.
But what else must they wear to protect themselves while in action? The truth is, PPE helps to reduce the risk of injury or death. But what kind of PPE should a firefighter have? This checklist will help you become familiar with the different types of PPE firefighters use to stay safe on the job.
Respiratory Masks
First, let’s talk about how they breathe under extreme conditions. A respiratory mask is an essential piece of PPE that firefighters wear. These masks protect them from smoke, dust, and other hazardous fumes that can be harmful to their health. They come in two varieties; air-purifying respirators (APRs) and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). An APR filters out small particles from the air, while a PAPR uses an electric fan to help pull the contaminated air away from the face. Respirators come with replaceable filters or cartridges and must be inspected regularly for service life expiration.
Protective Helmets
Helmets are something they can’t do without. They protect their heads from falling debris, fire-retardant material, and heat radiation. The helmet should fit snugly; if it doesn’t, a custom-made one is available. Helmets can also be equipped with a face shield to protect against smoke and other environmental hazardous particles.
Turnout Gear
Do you wonder why they wear bulky clothes in the heat of the blaze? It is called turnout gear or protective clothing. This outer layer of PPE must be flame-retardant and water-resistant to provide optimal protection against fire and heat radiation. It should also be loose enough for mobility but snug enough to prevent entrapment if the firefighter falls into a dangerous area.
Safety Goggles and Eyewear
Their vision can be their biggest asset on the job, so they must wear safety goggles and eyewear when necessary. This will help protect against smoke, sparks, and other hazardous materials present in the environment. The eyewear should fit snugly to prevent them from having an impaired vision while in action. Not only that, but it must also be impact-resistant to avoid any possible injuries.
Boots and Gloves
Last but not least, the boots and gloves. Firefighters need to wear protective boots that are resistant to heat and cold and provide good traction on slippery surfaces. These special-duty boots come in many different styles, such as steel-toe, insulated, lace up, pull-on, and even zip-up designs. Gloves should also be worn to protect the hands from heat, fire retardants, and other hazardous materials.
It’s a matter of life and death for firefighters to wear the right kind of personal protective equipment when responding to fires or any other hazardous situations. This checklist should help you understand which pieces of PPE are necessary for them to keep themselves safe on the job.…