The effects of climate change are clearer every day. One major effect is the increased chances for wildland fires. As this increases, having firefighters help fight wildland fires is more important than ever.
Fighting wildland fires is an incredible and dangerous job. These firefighters are working to save lives and stop the fire from damaging more than it already is.
Those performing this kind of work need firefighting PPE that will keep them safe. They need to withstand high temperatures and protect their bodies and lungs. They also need equipment to help them stay in contact with their team.
Check out the eight attributes of effective wildland firefighting PPE below to help you expand your knowledge on PPE for wildland fires.
1. Firefighting PPE for the Head
The firefighting PPE for your head is a good helmet! You need to protect your head from any falling debris like branches while you are out working to put fires out. That’s what the thermoplastic in a helmet is for: to lessen the impact of impacts.
Oftentimes, helmets will be yellow or another bright color to help distinguish you from your surroundings. The helmet is made of heat-resistant material to avoid melting around such high temperatures as well.
Sometimes the helmet will have goggles or a face shield attached to it as well.
2. PPE for the Face
If your helmet does not have goggles or a face shield attached to it, then you need a separate pair.
Goggles are essential PPE for wildland fires. They can help you see through all of the smoke and other obstructive objects in your path.
Good goggles will have a special lens on them that repels fog and smoke so that you can continue to see clearly, even while moving through unimaginable high temperatures.
3. PPE for the Body
You need wildland fighting gear for your body too, of course! A brush shirt, brush pants, and a good pair of boots are the way to go.
The brush shirt is what you see firefighters wearing, a coat with long sleeves made of a material that is flame-resistant. It fits loosely, allowing you plenty of space for movement and enabling you to avoid any possible burn injuries.
The brush pants are made of the same flame-resistant material as the brush shirt. They are also good for keeping your legs protected from any sharp objects you may move past in the wildland environments.
Finally, you need a good pair of fire-resistant leather boots and gloves!
4. Protecting the Respiratory System
Another important aspect of wildland firefighting gear is making sure your respiratory system is protected against wildfire smoke and fumes.
Air tanks are the obvious necessary object needed to protect your respiratory system. This gives you clean air to breathe while doing your work.
5. Versatile and Comfortable Firefighting PPE
Your firefighting PPE needs to be versatile and comfortable. As mentioned previously, brush shirts or pants that are too tight to your body will not protect you from burns or smoke, as well as sharp objects.
Make sure the PPE on your body is loose-fitting. It keeps you comfortable as well since you will be wearing those clothes the entirety of the time you are out in the wildland fires.
6. The Importance of Fire Radios
Fire radios are just as important as any of the other tools and clothes meant for firefighting wildfires. Having the best portable radio can make a world of difference for communicating with your team when you are out surrounded by heat and flames galore.
Our variety of fire radios, from portable radios to general public safety, will give you a leg up on ensuring communication between you and other members of your team.
Fighting fires is dangerous, but a fire radio makes sure you won’t find yourself separated or lost on your own.
7. The Line Pack Is Essential
The line pack is essential because it is the emergency bag. It is filled with everything a firefighter may need while out trying to put out wildland fires.
Inside of a line pack, one can often find a first aid kit, a water container, a compass, a map, a headlamp, extra batteries, and more. It can also resist heat.
Emergencies can happen at any time, but the line pack is there to make sure firefighters have the materials they need to handle emergencies.
8. A Pulaski and Drip Torch Too
A Pulaski is a needed attribute for wildland fire PPE. If you do not know what a Pulaski is, imagine a handle made of wood with a head to it that is an ax blade on one side and a trenching blade on the other. Whether there is a branch in your way or you need to dig fire lines, this took is a must-have.
Using a drip torch is also one that firefighters need to use. A drip torch is full of fuel to help burn things.
Get the Best Firefighting PPE
There are eight attributes every firefighter needs for their PPE. You want to make sure you or other firefighters have the proper PPE when going out to fight wildland fires.
From proper PPE to protect your head and body to wildland fire radios and more, firefighters can only do their job well if they are safe and protected from the dangers that fire presents.
Firefighting PPE should be a priority, and that includes even more than PPE for the body. Get a quote from us today about fire radios!
Leave A Comment