All firefighters need safety equipment to accomplish their duties. Without proper PPE gear, firefighters face the risk of injury or worse. As you prepare your list of the essential gear to have with you, remember these reasons why personal protective equipment is vital for firefighters.
Body Protection
We’ve seen individuals with torn protection gear make it out alive in movies and television shows, but that’s make-believe. Fires are a real danger, and many individuals risk their lives making sure everyone gets out of a burning building without harm.
The first element of PPE is the physical uniform. The uniform consists of these safety features:
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Bodysuit
- Jacket
- Boots
Without at least a helmet on your PPE list, you run the risk of harming yourself. Wearing safety gear built for fires can help protect your body, including your most vulnerable parts.
Equipment Pieces Have a Reason To Exist
Each piece of your professional attire, including your tools, plays a part in how you work through dangerous situations. Everything you wear on your body helps create a safer work environment.
For instance, the trousers you wear beneath your work pants and the bunker jacket you wrap around your shoulders have three layers: the outer layer, a moisture shield, and a thermal cover. As for the gloves and boots, they feature a strong material that prevents fires from seeping through the fabric and causing burns.
You’ve likely seen firefighters wear face shields or masks with an oxygen tank strapped around their backs. These help prevent smoke inhalation. The helmet you wear protects your head from falling debris.
Protective Gear Prevents Health Risks
Even as protective equipment prevents physical injuries, it can also keep you safe from breathing in toxic fumes that increase your risk of respiratory problems, skin issues, and heart complications.
Without the right supplies, you risk developing serious health problems. Never dismiss a critical piece of PPE gear.
Wildfires in Arizona
Arizona is one of many states well-known for wildfires. When outdoors, ensure your firefighters stay safe by providing them with the proper PPE.
As mentioned, having the standard and required pieces of equipment can often prevent danger from striking while on the job. So, after learning why personal protective equipment is vital for firefighters, ensure every team member has the right PPE equipment before heading out to their next fire rescue.
