The Firefighters Gear
Authored By: R. Reitz
Wildland firefighters use a basic set of equipment.
Personal protection equipment (PPE) puts a safety barrier between the firefighters body and flames or related hazards, reducing the possibility of injury. The barrier is created by bulk, chemicals, color, or design. PPE has saved firefighters from injury, discomfort, and even death.
- Fire Resistant Clothing protects firefighters skin from radiant heat and prevent embers from igniting their clothing.
- Fire Shelters are fire resistant tents that each firefighter is required to carry.
- Line Packs are used to carry fire shelters, water, and other gear.
There are some firefighting duties that require very specific tools that are needed in additional to the standard gear. A Lookout, for example, needs to carry a radio, compass, map, binoculars, and a fire weather kit. A Crew Leader needs a radio, compass, map, and a GPS. Some of the additional personal equipment used in wildland firefighting operations are:
Subsections found in The Firefighters Gear
- Fire Resistant Clothing : Outer clothing worn by firefighters to reduce risk of burns by fire.
- Fire Shelter : Temporary shelter designed to protect airway from superheated air and firefighter from receiving burns when wildland fire overtakes fire personnel.
- Line Packs : Pack used by firefighters to carry necessary supplies, equipment, and personal gear on the fireline for the assigned operational period.
- Fire Weather Instrument Kit : Instruments that provide weather information to personnel on the fire line.
- Chain Saw Protection Gear : Leg protection used while operating a chain saw
- Hearing Protection : Personal protection equipment designed to protect hearing.
- Binoculars : Used for a variey of observational purposes.
- Head Lamp : Equipment designed to see in darkened conditions as well as be seen.
Encyclopedia ID: p315
