
The Future of Firefighter PPE Selection, Care, and Maintenance
There are few items related to the fire service that represent a greater investment from fire department and that require greater familiarity and understanding from firefighters than the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn when entering a fire environment.
Firefighting, like politics, is local, adapted based on staffing, building types, operational tactics, environmental conditions, and other factors. It is therefore important to have PPE that meets the needs specific to each service. What is equally important is the requirement for departments and their members to properly select, service, and cycle out PPE used to protect themselves for the risks from fire environments.
This webcast will discuss some basic fundamentals regarding the selection of PPE, its capabilities and limitations, as well as the NFPA standard (1851) applicable to its care and maintenance. It will also cover proposed updates to the standard (NFPA 1850) and what that may mean for firefighters and departments moving forward.