Firefighter Personal
Protective Equipment
Module 1
Chapter 6
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe the Summarize
purpose of guidelines for the
personal protective care of personal
equipment. protective clothing.
Describe Explain the safety
characteristics of considerations for
each type of personal protective
personal protective equipment.
equipment.
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
INCLUDES THREE BASIC COMPONENTS.
Personal protective Respiratory protection Personal alert safety
clothing (PPC) equipment system (PASS)
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IS
DESIGNED TO MEET TWO PURPOSES.
Minimize risk
Protect from
of injury or
hazards
fatality
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STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING PROTECTIVE
CLOTHING MUST METT NFPA® 1971.
All PPC must include permanent
label demonstrating compliance
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ALTERING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING MAY
ENDANGER LIVES AND HAVE OTHER EFFECTS.
Remove
moisture
liner
DO
NOT
Add
Sew to
combustible
outer shell
decals
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT HAS
SEVERAL DESIGN BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS.
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HELMETS MUST BE WORN CORRECTLY TO PROPERLY
PROTECT AND IDENTIFY FIREFIGHTERS.
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EYE PROTECTION DEVICES ARE REQUIRED BY NFPA® 1500
AND COME IN MANY VARIETIES.
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PROTECTIVE HOODS PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS
LAYER OF PROTECTION BETWEEN COAT AND
HELMET.
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PROTECTIVE COATS ARE REQUIRED BY NFPA®1971 TO
HAVE THREE LAYERS,
WHICH PROVIDE LIMITED PROTECTION.
a. Outer shell
b. Moisture barrier
c. Thermal barrier
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WARNING
All layers of the
protective coat must be
in place during any fire
fighting operation. Failure
to wear the entire coat
and liner system during a
fire may expose you to
severe heat resulting in
serious injury or death.
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NFPA® 1971 REQUIRES SEVERAL DESIGN
FEATURES FOR PROTECTIVE COATS.
Reflective trim Wristlets Collars
Drag Rescue Device (DRD) Closure system
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ADDITIONAL PPC PROTECTS FIREFIGHTERS FROM
A VARIETY OF HAZARDS.
Protective trousers Protective gloves
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ADDITIONAL PPC PROTECTS FIREFIGHTERS FROM
A VARIETY OF HAZARDS.
Hearing protection
Protective footwear
devices
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PERSONAL ALERT SAFETY SYSTEMS (PASS) AID
IN RESCUING FIREFIGHTERS.
Courtesy of James Nilo
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WILDLAND PPC FOLLOWS SPECIFICATIONS
FOUND IN NFPA® 1977.
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WILDLAND PPC ALLOWS MORE MOVEMENT BUT
LESS PROTECTION THAN STRUCTURAL PPC.
Load-carrying
Fire shelter
equipment
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WILDLAND PPC ALLOWS MORE MOVEMENT BUT
LESS PROTECTION THAN STRUCTURAL PPC.
Air-purifying Chain saw
respirators protection
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DO NOT WEAR UNDERCLOTHING MADE OF
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS.
Nylon,
polyester,
and other
synthetics
Materials
melt to
skin
Extreme
heat
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WARNING
Wildland personal
protective clothing
is not designed,
certified, or
intended for
interior structural
fire fighting.
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ROADWAY OPERATIONS CLOTHING IS DESIGNED
TO INCREASE FIREFIGHTER VISIBILITY.
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EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
HELPS PREVENT TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES.
Wear to protect against infectious
bodily fluids and airborne
pathogens
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SPECIAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING CAN BE USED
FOR OTHER EMERGENCY INCIDENTS.
Technical rescue Standing/swift water rescue
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SPECIAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING CAN BE USED
FOR OTHER EMERGENCY INCIDENTS.
Courtesy of Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau
Ice rescue Hazardous material
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SPECIAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING CAN BE USED
FOR OTHER EMERGENCY INCIDENTS.
Chemical, biological, Proximity fire fighting
radiological, and nuclear protective clothing
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STATION/WORK UNIFORMS SERVE TWO
FUNCTIONS FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
Identifies Protects
wearer with against direct
organization flame contact
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STATION/WORK UNIFORMS MUST MEET
REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA® 1975.
Will not Safety
contribute shoes or
to injury boots
Permanent
label
Fire
resistant
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CARE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
IS A MATTER OF SAFETY.
Procedures
for care
Department
SOPs NFPA® 1851
Manufacturer’s
instructions
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INSPECT PPC FREQUENTLY AND FOR SEVERAL
TYPES OF DAMAGE AND/OR CONTAMINATION.
Inspection findings
determine cleaning
method used
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NFPA® 1851 DEFINES FOUR TYPES OF
PPE CLEANING.
Routine Advanced
Specialized Contract
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WARNING
Do not take
Do not wash
contaminated
contaminated
protective clothing
protective clothing in
into the living or
washing machines
sleeping quarters of
used for other
the fire station or
garments or items.
your residence.
PPE that is carried in
PPE should not be personal vehicles
stored where it can should be placed in
come in contact with closable garment bags
vehicle exhausts. intended for that
purpose.
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PPC MUST BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY BY
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Repairable
damage
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PPE BOTH PROTECTS AND ISOLATES
FIREFIGHTERS FROM HAZARDS.
Creates a
protective Prevents awareness
barrier of environmental
changes
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REMEMBER SEVERAL SPECIFIC SAFETY
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PPE.
Steam burns Delays
Consider design
from shell and awareness of
and purpose
liner heat
2 inches (50mm)
PPE must fit in
minimum
order to work
overlap
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REMEMBER SEVERAL SPECIFIC SAFETY
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PPE.
Thermal burns
Radiant heat
at compression
can penetrate
points
Excessive Extreme fire
sweat conditions
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SUMMARY
Your PPE will protect you from hazards
and minimize the risk of injury or fatality
if properly worn, cleaned, and
maintained.
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