Firefighting & Brush Gear

Fighting fire requires head-to-toe protective gear.

Fighting a fire is a dangerous job that should not be attempted without the right equipment. Aside from the specialized vehicles and water dispensing equipment professional firefighters use, they're also covered from head to toe in protective wear.

Head

Protecting the head and face is a top priority.

Firefighters wear a flame resistant hood that tucks inside the rest of their uniform at the neck. It protects their head, neck and hair from the heat and smoke. For particularly in-depth fire rescue, the firefighter can wear a special mask attached to an oxygen tank to keep breathable air flowing to the lungs. The mask also protects the face from flying embers. Firefighters also wear helmets with a visor and chinstrap to protect their heads from falling debris.

Hands and Feet

Firefighter boots are encased in rubber to protect against both fire and water.

Firefighters wear thick leather gloves on their hands and steel-toed rubber boots to protect their extremities from the flames. Although rubber boots are heavier and can make moving around slightly more difficult, they're waterproof ,which is a huge asset to the firefighters.

Core Body Protection

Firefighters wear bunker coats and pants. These are flame resistant but not to the point in which a firefighter could stand in flames and not get burnt. The pants are held up by suspenders, allowing firefighters to pull them quickly on and off. The coats have reflective stickers on them so firefighters can see each other in smoke and darkness.

References

• Fire Department City of New York: Protective Gear