PPE (Personal Protective Clothing)

Components of PPE Helmet- Protects the head from impact and puncture injures as well as from scalding water Protective Hood- Protects portions of the firefighters face, ears, and neck not covered by the helmet or coat Coat and Pants- Protects limps against cuts, abrasions and burn injures and limited protection from corrosive liquids Gloves- Protects hands from cuts, wounds, and burns

Components of PPE (cont.) Turnout boots- Protects feet from burn injuries and puncture wounds. Eye Protection- Protects the wearer’s eyes from flying solid particles and liquids Hearing protection- Limits noise-in-duced damage to the firefighters ears when loud noise situations cannot be avoided

Components of PPE (cont.) SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus)- protects the face and lungs from toxic smoke and products of combustion PASS ( personal alert safety system)- Provides life-safety protection by emitting a loud shriek if the firefighter should collapse or remain motionless for approximately 30 seconds.

The Helmet The tradition function of the helmet was to shed water, not to protect from heat, cold, or impact. The wide brim, particularly where it extends over the back of the neck was designed to prevent hot water and embers from reaching the ears and neck. Now the helmet prtoects from impact, provides protection from cold and heat, and had a face shield for secondary protection

The Helmet (cont.) The helmet must have ear covers, which should always be used during firefighting, the chin strap ensures that the helmet is in place upon impact. The face shield provides eyes and face protection. The most common injury on the fire ground is to the eyes. Eye protection comes in different forms such as goggle, safety glasses, helmet face shield and an SCBA mask. Safety goggles and glasses protect against approximately 85% all eye hazards.

Hearing protection Firefighter are exposed to variety of sounds such as ones on the fire ground, en route to a call, and at the station. The most common us of hearing protection is for firefighters that ride the apparatus that exceeds maximum noise exposer levels. A dual intercom/ear protection system is commonly used. Ear muffs and ear plugs can be used on the firegound.

Protective hoods The hood protects the ears and necks and face from exposure to extreme heat. The hood also protects areas that the SCBA mask can’t. the hood is made of fire resistance material that comes in a long or short style.

Bunker coat The coat used for protection in firefighting and other fire department activities. The coat comes in three components outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal barrier that trap insulating air that inhibits the transfer of heat from the outside to the firefighters body. They also protection the body from direct flame contact, hot water an vapors, cold temperatures, and other hazards.

Bunker coat (cont.) Collar must me turned up to protect the wearer's neck and throat. Wristlets prevent water, embers, and other foreign debris from rolling down inside the sleeve. The closure system on the front of the coat prevents water or fire products from entering through gaps between the snaps or clips.

Bunker pants The Pants have the same layers and prevents the same causes from occurring as the bunker coat does but for the torso. Suspenders are used so that when the pants are wet they do not sag.

Hand protection. The most important characteristics of the gloves are the protection they provide against hear or cold penetration and their resistance to cuts, punters, and liquid absorption. Gloves must allow enough dexterity and tactile feel for the firefighter to perform the job effectively.

Foot protection Embers, falling objects, and nails are examples of commonly encountered hazards. Firefighters are to have two kinds of foot protection. Protective boots for fire fighting and emergency activities Safety shoes for station wear and other department activities that include inspections, emergency medical responses, and similar activities

SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus)

SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) The SCBA is very crucial to the well-being of the firefighter. Failure to use this equipment could lead to failed rescue attempts, firefighter injuries, or firefighter fatalities. The well-trained firefighter should be knowledgeable of respiratory hazards, and the requirements for wearing the SCBA, donning and doffing, and proper care and maintenance of the SCBA

SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) The lungs and respiratory tract are the more vulnerableto injury than any other body areas, and gases encountered in fires. The Four common hazardous atmospheres associated with fires and other emergencies. Oxygen deficieny Elevated temperatures Smoke Toxic atmospheres (with and without fires)

SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) Different types of breathing apparatus is the open circuit and closed circuit. Open circuit SCBA uses compressed air Closed circuit SCBA uses compressed or liquid oxygen The open circuit is the most commonly used type of circuit by firefighters

SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) How to inspect and donning and doffing of the SCBA ( hands on portion)