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Importance of PPE for Firefighters

Firefighters engage in dangerous activities during their work fighting fires, effecting rescues and dealing with emergency situations. In 2010, 72 on-duty firefighter deaths occurred in the U.S. In addition, approximately 80,000 firefighters are injured each year. The fire service provides firefighters with personal protective equipment, or PPE, to minimize the risk of injury and death in the course of their duties.

  1. Background

    • Firefighters respond to 1.8 million fires each year in the United States. While they must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of the colleagues around them, they cannot avoid putting themselves into hazardous situations as part of their job. They must wear PPE to protect them from the effects of heat and smoke as they tackle fires and enter smoke-filled environments. PPE can also alert colleagues if a firefighter requires assistance.

    Basic PPE

    • The National Fire Protection Association sets standards for firefighters' PPE. NFPA 1971 was last updated in 2007. Basic PPE is often referred to as bunker gear or turnout gear and consists of coat, pants, helmet, gloves, boots and a hood. The primary purpose of a firefighter's PPE is to protect against heat and fire. Firefighters' coats have three layers: a flame resistant outer layer, a waterproof middle layer and an inner layer that protects against heat transfer. Helmets protect against falling material and have a fire-resistant hood to cover the ears and neck. Safety boots include steel toecaps and shanks.

    Breathing Apparatus

    • Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus when entering a fire or smoke-filled environment. An SCBA is an air supply worn on the back and held in place by shoulder straps and a waist belt. They are made of lightweight material which can withstand high pressures. The SCBA contains a device known as a personal alert safety system, which emits an audible alarm if the firefighter becomes motionless to alert his colleagues that he is in need of assistance.

    Future Developments

    • PPE provided to firefighters is continually reviewed and upgraded as new technologies become available and in response to lessons learned from incidents in which injuries or fatalities occur. Research conducted by the Firefighter Life Safety Research Center at the University of Illinois identified a need to continue developing lighter, breathable and less restrictive PPE. The study found that while current PPE provides effective protection from heat and fire, it can add to heat stress and affect firefighters balance. These two issues can contribute to incidents which result in injuries or fatalities.

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