Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment Guide
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Like any other job with objectives such as protecting lives, nature and property, firefighting is one of the noblest things a person can do, whether it is a career choice or on a volunteering basis. Of course, it is also one of the most dangerous activities as well. Naturally, firefighters need all the protection they can get to stay safe and, quite literally, in some cases alive.
When they are facing fires, the women and men trying to fight it, need to be protected, not only against the fire, itself but also against the smoke and other harmful materials that can cause serious health issues, including cancer. Thankfully, firefighting equipment has been around for a long time, changing, evolving, and becoming better and better.
Firefighting Jacket
Unlike in the past, today firefighters have some incredible technology that can help them in dire situations, they can even order a highly resistant and reliable fireman jacket online, and have it in no time… and other things that would be unimaginable in the past. The basic firefighting safety wardrobe consists of an oversized fire rescue jacket and firefighting pants. As the largest item on the list, the firefighter jacket is probably the most important safety item in a firefighter’s gear. In fact; the extra-large jacket plays many vital roles in firefighting.
Aside from protecting the firefighters’ torso, a big part of their skin, as well as their vital organs, firefighting jackets are specifically designed to respond to many other requirements. They come with many different features that make them suitable for the job.
During fires, one of the many dangers that firefighters face along with the power of the fire is the low visibility in extreme and life-threatening conditions. Fire jackets are designed to help make it easier to spot fellow firefighters. They feature reflective safety stripes, keeping the person visible, which can make a huge difference in many different cases.
Firefighting jackets are also made to protect your skin entirely. They feature special insulation, which helps you stay safe from the heat. Typically made from Kevlar and Nomex materials, they are quite long and go well over the trousers. They have a wrist guard that doesn’t allow your skin to be exposed between the sleeve and the glove, protecting you from wrist burns, but also remaining flexible. The collar is also made in a way that protects your throat and your neck from burns.
Firefighting Trousers
In a similar way to the fireman jacket, the fire pants are specially designed to act as a barrier between the firefighter’s body and the source of heat. Nowadays, firefighting trousers are made lighter than they used to be. They feature reinforced knees with inserts, that can further help protect you from injury – allowing you to crawl freely.
Nowadays, fire pants can also feature a built-in harness system, which can make the job easier, by eliminating the need for extra hardware. Furthermore, this part of firefighters’’ protective wardrobe can be even more effective with some effective features, such as gusseted cargo pockets, zippered pant legs, ripcord suspenders, stretch waistbands etc.
Firefighting Gloves
Another vital piece of firefighting equipment, gloves have to be very reliable, as you will constantly be using your hands to move smouldering items, rescue people out of fires and so on. But firefighters also can come into contact with potentially dangerous substances, so they may help you avoid touching something harmful and protect your hands. There are different types of gloves suitable for different emergencies.
Firefighting Helmet
Helmets have gone a long way, and today they can offer unparalleled protection to the firefighter’s head, against falling debris and other dangers. But firefighting helmets also protect from the heat, as well as from electrical and steam burns. They shield the head and the eyes.
This vital piece of equipment also comes in many different designs, as well as different materials. Typically, they are lightweight and comfortable and they are made of materials such as plastic and carbon fibre, as well as non-conductive materials to protect the firefighter against electrical currents. They also have a Kevlar layer that makes them even more resilient and strong, and thus more protective. Some helmets can feature a faceguard, some have built-in protection for the neck, ears and the face, while others don’t, in which case the firefighter needs to also use a protective hood.
Firefighting Boots
Undoubtedly a vital part of a firefighter’s safety equipment, boots for firefighting are typically made of leather or rubber, with a steel toe insert. They are intended to protect the feet from fallen objects, fire, electricity and so on. In other words, fire boots need to be able to protect from burns, puncture wounds and other injuries. Firefighting boots also have a role in enhancing the firefighter’s visibility, as they come with reflective materials.