Firefighters depend on personal protective equipment every day, and while turnout gear often gets the spotlight, the clothing worn beneath turnout gear plays a larger protective role than many realize. That's where the NFPA station wear requirements (long known as NFPA 1975) come in.
But if you're evaluating station wear in 2026, there's an important update: NFPA 1975 no longer exists as a standalone standard.
Where Did NFPA 1975 Go?
As part of the NFPA's Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan, NFPA 1975 was consolidated into NFPA 1970 (2025 edition), which now covers structural and proximity firefighting ensembles (formerly NFPA 1971), emergency services work apparel (formerly NFPA 1975), open-circuit SCBA (formerly NFPA 1981), and PASS devices (formerly NFPA 1982) in a single document.
The station wear requirements themselves carry forward; what changed is where they live and what the certification label says. Going forward, new station wear is certified to NFPA 1970. Garments certified to the last standalone edition of NFPA 1975 remain compliant, so departments don't need to replace existing uniforms overnight.
What Does the Standard Cover?
The work apparel portion of NFPA 1970 establishes performance requirements for station wear and work garments commonly worn during daily station duties, training exercises, public education events, inspections, apparatus maintenance, and emergency response preparation.
As before, this apparel is not a substitute for structural firefighting PPE. It provides an additional layer of protection while eliminating risks associated with non-compliant fabrics.
Why These Requirements Exist
Historically, many firefighters wore cotton, polyester, or blended fabrics that could melt, ignite, or contribute to burn injuries when exposed to heat. The station wear requirements were developed to reduce garment ignition risks, prevent melting fabrics from contacting skin, improve thermal performance, establish consistent testing requirements, and support firefighter health and safety initiatives. Consolidation into NFPA 1970 reinforces the point: station wear is now formally part of the same standard as turnout gear and SCBA, a core component of the protective system, not an afterthought.
Key Benefits of Compliant Station Wear
Enhanced safety. Fire-resistant fabrics protect against incidental thermal exposures that may occur before turnout gear is fully deployed.
Improved durability. Station wear built to NFPA requirements withstands frequent laundering and demanding work environments.
Professional appearance. Modern FR station wear maintains a clean, professional look while delivering advanced performance.
Reduced risk. Minimizing melting and ignition hazards gives firefighters an added layer of protection during daily operations.
What Garments Are Covered?
Common compliant garments include station wear shirts, duty uniforms, work pants, fire-resistant polos, job shirts, and work jackets. Many departments now require these garments as part of their standard uniform policy.
Choosing Compliant Station Wear in 2026
When evaluating station wear, look for certification to NFPA 1970 (2025 edition) on new garments (or valid NFPA 1975 certification on existing stock) along with fire-resistant fabric technology, comfort and mobility, moisture management, durability, and professional appearance.
CrewBoss offers firefighter station wear designed specifically for helping departments balance safety, performance, and comfort, all while staying up to standard.
What This Means Now
The consolidation into NFPA 1970 doesn't diminish what NFPA 1975 accomplished; it elevates it. Station wear now sits alongside turnout gear and SCBA in the fire service's flagship PPE standard. While station wear is not a substitute for turnout gear, compliant garments provide meaningful protection during daily operations and support modern risk reduction initiatives. As departments upgrade uniform programs in 2026, understanding the new certification landscape is the first step to buying right.
Contact us today to connect with a sales representative and receive your quality-certified gear.
For more information on NFPA standards, visit their official site.
