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Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is perhaps the most important physical system in firefighter safety. The full ensemble – pants, coat, helmet, hood, gloves and boots – works together to create a protective barrier between firefighters and the hazards they face, whether fire, smoke, sharp objects on extrication scenes or other potentially harmful exposures. With the heightened focus on occupational cancer awareness and prevention, as well as protection from COVID-19 infection, departments depend on PPE to provide supreme protection from fireground toxins. Download our PPE-related How to Buy Guides for Turnout Gear, Hoods and SCBA.

Fire Department Superintendent Roman Nelson said firefighters lack the basics for fighting recent swamp fires, wildfires
Firefighter Amanda Keesey shares great gift ideas for this holiday season
Understanding the ensemble and how the components work together provides a solid appreciation of both PPE protections and limitations
Overcoming complexities and learning how firefighters can impact PPE requirements
The market is witnessing a trend towards rental services, offering enhanced flexibility and cost-effectiveness for fire departments
RESCEU Intellitech addresses market demand with a new single-phase Solo Rescue decon washer, redefining firefighter safety
Twin Falls’ new Station 2’s hold all of its apparatus and has a decontamination area separated from living quarters
Government officials hear testimonies about challenges involving recruitment, cancer, mental health, EVs, climate change and beyond
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule requiring manufacturers to report their use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
A preview of what is likely to come to fruition in the next editions of NFPA 1971 for turnout gear and NFPA 1981 for SCBA
Selecting new garments can be simple when done in a methodical way
It’s time to put these issues to rest once and for all – and start doing the right thing
Federal funding helped Menands and Ballston Lake firefighters purchase extrication tools and a gear washer
Legislation and lawsuits grow as the effort to avoid cancer and PFAS-infused materials continues