Wildland PPE Maintenance, Storage, and Replacement Standards

Every time wildland firefighters face an emergency, they get exposed to harmful contaminants from the ruins of the scene. If not for their protective gear, it would be impossible for them to do their jobs. On that note, it’s highly required to perform proper maintenance and storage, even identifying when their PPE is already due for a replacement.  

Maintenance Methods for Wildland PPE

Wildland PPE should be maintained in its best condition. Like any kind of equipment, a firefighter’s protective gear must undergo standard cleaning and repair methods.

Most importantly, any flammable contaminants present on the gears must be completely cleaned and removed through meticulous washing or wiping.

Firefighter garments can either be washed at home or sent to industrial laundering services. If the apparel is washed at home, find out the specific guidelines for removing various kinds of flame-resistant (FR) or flame-retardant (FRD) fabrics.

Industrial laundering services know all the particular methods for washing wildland PPE, which is preferable for regular bulk batches.

For repairs, it’s best to consult with the manufacturer’s standards to determine if the gear is redeemable or replaceable. 

Proper Storage of Wildland PPE

Fire stations are mandated to follow storage protocols on all of their equipment. All issued wildland PPE lockers are dedicated to secure the storage of clean ‘head-to-toe’ gears.

Storage areas must have proper ventilation to avoid high humidity and dampness. The gears should also be protected from direct sunlight. Never store PPE where it’s constantly exposed to the sun.

Wildland PPE is not supposed to be worn or stored at home. It could be exposed to contaminants that will affect the FR properties of the fabric. Home washing might only be ideal for emergencies, and it’s highly advised to separate the PPE from other garments. 

Firefighters should also be responsible for their own gears, including a regular self-implemented inspection to ensure that the gears are always ready and safe to use. Comprehensive inspections also prevent reckless storage methods of officers. 

When should wildland PPE be replaced?

There are two main causes for the replacement of wildland PPE: (1) the severity of contaminant exposure or (2) if it meets the retirement criteria specified by the NFPA 1977. According to them, PPE ensemble components must be retired from service after 10 years since it’s been manufactured. Take note that it’s the manufacturing date that’s considered in the criteria and not the service date.

Let’s look at a few points that can help determine the viability of wildland PPE.

• Degradation in some localized areas of the gear materials or fabric.

• Presence of contaminants that are impossible to remove from the gear.

• Soil buildup and other elements that affect the protective performance of the gear.

• Suggested age proximity/lifespan of the PPE ensemble components.

If the gear goes through tough service situations that may elicit its early retirement, fire departments have objective criteria provided in NFPA 1977. It is outlined in the field evaluation process to determine when it’s time to replace the wildland PPE.

Visit us here to shop for our high-quality wildland fire gear, equipment, tools, and station wear!

Nomex® Fiber: Certified Fire-Resistant Protective Clothing for Firefighters

Firefighters need protection from the number one danger they constantly face during work emergencies: fire.

All firefighter crews, both in structural or wildland units are trained with a proper protocol to know exactly what to do in various situations. They precariously learn their drills until it becomes a part of their reflex. However, no amount of training can make them immune to fire and other hazards involved in their work.

Therefore, our firefighters are required to get equipped with a standard fire-resistant uniform— which brings us to our main subject in this article, the famous quality-certified Nomex fiber clothing.

What Is Nomex Clothing?

Nomex is a synthetic fiber with heat and flame-resistant features. This is, by far, the most suitable material used in manufacturing protective apparel for firefighters and those exposed to hazardous work conditions. It’s one of the first flame-resistant (FR) fibers successfully developed with proven supreme strength and performance.

DuPont, the developer of Nomex fiber, specifically engineered the heat and flame-resistant features to the molecular structure of Nomex fabric. Unlike the chemical treatments applied to other firefighter garments, their method prevents the material from being worn out of its protective features. To add to that, they designed the FR product with a combination of electric arc protection. Nomex does not melt or drip, and it also prevents combustion in the air. But what makes it unique from other FR products is its ability to carbonize and thicken when exposed to intense heat. Thus, it averts and minimizes injury from flame or heat exposure.

Its impressive qualities don’t end there. Nomex fiber is highly resistant to hydrocarbons and some other organic solvents. It also has a good level of resistance to alkalis, but only when exposed within room temperature. Nomex fiber even has a higher resistance to x-rays and beta/gamma radiation than woven nylon fabric.

At what temperature does Nomex burn?

Even though Nomex fiber has a low level of flammability, it still has a limit that will reach its burning point.

Woven nylon fabrics melt at 489°F/254°C, while at this rate, the Nomex fiber would still be able to retain up to 60% of its original strength and resistance. But above 700°F/370°C, Nomex fiber can no longer hold the temperature, and then it will quickly begin to degrade until it gets weak and brittle.

Nomex FR Products

Several Nomex personal protective equipment (PPE) garments are available in different stores, such as coveralls, shirts/pants for structural firefighters, brush shirts/pants for wildland firefighters, gloves, hoods, innerwear, coats, and jackets.

Nomex is also used to manufacture electrical insulation products, pressboards, and papers. The Nomex aramid fiber paper, for example, has heat-resistant properties and a lightweight feature with the durability and strength ideal for scientific and engineering purposes in several industries like construction, automotive, aerospace, military, and sports.

Nomex Clothing For Structural and Wildland Firefighters

Indeed, Nomex fiber clothing is highly preferred as standard equipment for structural and wildland firefighters. Our fire crews require a protective gear that’s made of the highest quality materials with trusted heat and fire-resistant features.

Looking for NFPA-certified wildland fire gear and PPEs? Come and visit CrewBoss today!

The Top 4 Essential Equipment For Wildland Firefighters

Wildland fire crews require fire-specific gear to keep them safe in the field. They have standard equipment that will prepare them for particular assignments. 

The firefighters’ primary goal is to prevent the fire from spreading and then putting it out all at once. However, it is also the crew’s responsibility to avoid getting harmed on duty. To ensure that they can handle anything that’s waiting for them in the job, they need to get fully equipped with a few essentials.

What Equipment Do Wildland Firefighters Use?

Here’s a list of the four basic equipment for wildland firefighters.

Pants, Coats, Shirts, Hoods

It is the firefighters’ utmost priority to protect their bodies from the danger of wildland fire situations. A complete bodysuit includes fire and heat-resistant clothing, such as a hoodie, brush shirt/coat, and brush pants. These should cover the wearer’s torso, arms, and legs while allowing extensive mobility.

Aside from being protected from fire and heat, the brush suit is also resistant to sharp objects commonly present in the wild, like broken branches and tall bushes. 

Wildland firefighter bodysuits are designed to reduce exposure from the natural elements of an outdoor fire, which are different compared to structural fire situations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The personal protective equipment (PPE) completes the required head-to-toe uniform for wildland fire crews. The additional gear includes a helmet, anti-fog goggles, heat and fire-resistant leather gloves, and heavy-duty boots.

The job calls for extreme activities, which means that whole-body protection enables the firefighters to perform their tasks without being held back by unprotected body areas.

Safety Packs

Wildland fire crews also need a safety pack that contains all their necessities for a specific assignment. Generally, the daypack should have the following: a first-aid kit, flashlight, map, compass, safety glasses, extra batteries for the headlamp, water bottle, utility knife, sunscreen, fusees, matches, MREs, and more.

For overnighters, wildland firefighters must bring other items, such as a tent, inflatable sleeping pad, camping stove, instant food, can opener, etc. Longer assignments may even require an extra change of clothes, laundry bag, and other camping essentials that will keep them even just a little bit comfortable.

Extra Tools

Other several tools are also required for wildland firefighters to carry on site:

• A wristwatch, perhaps, is a useful addition to keep them working within schedule.

• They need a headlamp to let them workaround through the dark.

• A Pulaski is an essential tool for chopping or trenching.

• Everyone in the wildland crew must have a radio to establish constant communication.

• They also carry a drip torch to burn materials that they can’t dispose of in any other way.

• And more importantly, firefighters must always bring their fire shelter.

Certified Wildland Firefighter Equipment

Equipment for our wildland firefighters must be certified by organizations supervising the fire departments, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the ASTM International. It’s one of the best ways to ensure the quality of the protective equipment worn and carried by our fire crews.

Check out CrewBoss’s purpose-built firefighter equipment that meets NFPA 1584 requirements for departments of all sizes.

Gearing Up The Wildland Firefighters: How Much Does Their PPE Cost?

Our wildland firefighters are composed of government officials, employees, and volunteers who risk their lives every time they face disasters. For that, their sacrifices will always remain priceless, which is also why their safety is a top priority.

An essential type of equipment that our firefighters require is a complete body gear and equipment.

Not very many of us know how much it costs to provide wildland firefighters with whole-body protection. Every firefighter must have personal protective equipment (PPE) and basic tools to prepare them for the hazard of wildland fires.

In this article, we’ll discuss the gear costs of wildland firefighters. First, let’s identify the appropriate uniform they have to wear every time they’re called out to face another brush fire.

What do firefighters wear for a brush fire?

Just like structural firefighters, our wildland heroes face a difficult job. The difference is that they fight dangerous flames through rough terrains and unpredictable weather. To overcome brush fire situations, they need the right gear that enables them to take necessary actions with extra precaution.

These are the required PPE for wildland firefighters:

Helmet

The helmet protects the head from falling or flying objects like broken branches and rolling rocks. They’re designed with a yellow color for visibility. Firefighter helmets are specifically made with heat-resistant thermoplastic to avoid or lessen injuries from impacts.

Some modern helmet models already have an attached pair of goggles or face shields for modified functionality. The hoodies include protection from the sides of the head down to the neck.

Goggles

The goggles allow firefighters to see through smoke, heat, and debris without damaging their eyes. They’re designed with a hard-coated, anti-fogging lens that can withstand up to 500°F roughly within a few short minutes.

Brush Shirt

The brush shirt is a long-sleeved coat that covers the neck, torso, and arms to the wrist. They’re manufactured with flame-resistant materials, such as Nomex or Tecasafe Plus.

Brush shirts have a loose-fitting to prevent the flames from causing serious burn injuries, in case it comes in contact with the suit. It also provides the wearer with extended mobility. Tight-fit brush shirts do not help with the heat and flame contact.

Brush Pants

The brush pants cover the legs down to the ankle. They’re also made with fire-resistant materials, such as Nomex, Tecasafe Plus Advance, and Pioneer. The materials do not only protect the skin from the heat and flame but to dodge the thick brush in the wildlands as well.

Boots

The high-rise boots protect each foot up to the area above the ankle, where it meets the bottom of the calves. It’s made of heavy-duty leather that supports the feet from the traction brought by long explorations in various wildland grounds.

It’s vital for firefighters to wear high-quality boots while they’re on site. Falling or slipping on uneven terrain is a cause for about 15% of the injuries reported by wildland firefighters.

Gloves

The gloves are made of heavy-duty, full-grained leather with a fire-resistant feature that helps with heat absorption. It also doesn’t shrink through the skin when exposed to heat.

Line Pack

The line pack is an emergency bag brought by wildland firefighters, which they carry on their back with safety belts secured around the hips and the chest. It contains all the items they need for the task, such as a first-aid kit, headlamp with extra batteries, map, compass, safety glasses, earplugs, a water bottle, fuses, MREs, etc. The pack should also be resistant to heat when exposed to wild flames.

Radio

Firefighters use the radio for internal communication. They constantly face life-threatening emergencies that require them to inform each other about site updates. The whole crew receives reports that allow them to navigate the situation using the right strategies, which prevents them from taking unnecessary actions.

Pulaski

A Pulaski is another essential tool carried by wildland firefighters. It has a long wooden handle and the double-purpose head that can be used as an ax blade or as a narrow trenching blade. Its purpose can either be for chopping brushes and branches or digging fire lines.

Drip Torch

A drip torch is a small handheld fuel tank. Wildland firefighters use it for burning materials on site.

Fire Shelter

A fire shelter is also an important tool in case a firefighter gets trapped in enclosed spaces surrounded by fire and harmful fumes. It’s made of fiberglass, woven silica, and aluminum.

The fire shelter serves as a source of breathable air while reflecting radiant heat. It shields the person inside the tent, preventing the hot gases from getting inhaled. Once it enters the airways, it can significantly damage the lungs.

This tool has saved many lives through the deadliest fire situations, both in structural and wildland fires.

How much does wildland firefighter gear cost?

We can never put a price on the services provided to us by our wildland firefighters. But it also means that every community should be aware of how the firefighters prepare to be well-equipped for all kinds of situations.

Let’s make a list of each item’s prices with an estimate from the possible lowest to highest rates available in the market.

• Helmet: $50 - $300

• Goggles: $40 - $100

• Brush Shirt: $100 - $500

• Brush Pants: $150 - $500

• Boots: $300 - $600

• Gloves: $30 - $100

• Line Pack: $300 - $500

• Radio: $800 - $1,000

• Pulaski: $20 - $80

• Drip Torch: $150 - $300

• Fire Shelter: $400 - $800

The prices of the products depend on the brand and quality of the materials. For a complete wildland firefighter gear set, it can go for as low as $2,000 and as high as $5,000. That’s like an average of $3,500 for every set.

Wildland Firefighter Gear: High Cost For Priceless Sacrifice

As mandated in the U.S., the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) tests the standards for effective firefighting equipment. This entails a serious guideline on the quality of the firefighters’ gear and PPEs. And even though they come at a high cost, it will never amount to the sacrifice of the brave men and women who face the danger for the safety of every community.

Check out the latest high-quality protective clothing for wildland firefighters from CrewBoss. Visit us today!

PPE For Firefighters: Why It’s Important?

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment is essential, especially for those jobs that deal with emergency situations like fire. And while safety is the main reason why proper PPE should be worn, they are needed by firefighters to prevent them from inhaling hazardous fumes, toxins, and debris that could harm their lungs and respiratory system.

Read more as we are going to tackle the importance of Personal Protective Equipment or PPE for firefighters in today’s article.

Physical Protection

PPE for firefighters is extremely important so they can enter a house or building without suffering from burns or lung damage from smoke inhalation. Even in situations where these heroes have to engage in size-up or overhaul, wearing of PPE is also required so they won’t get seriously injured while doing their job.

Every Equipment Serves A Purpose

The trousers and bunker jackets are critical components of a firefighter’s PPE ensemble as it is made with different layers of fabric for optimal fire protection. To be specific, the trousers and bunker jackets are composed of an outer shell or layer, a moisture barrier, and the thermal layer.

The outer and thermal layer protects the wearer from radiant heat, and it can also serve as protection from partial flame. While the moisture barrier serves as a protection from the sprayed water to prevent their bodies from getting soaked and save them from injuries due to steam burns.

On the other hand, the gloves and boots that firefighters wear are made from fire-resistant materials to safeguard their hands from sharp objects, radiant heat, and other forms of danger that they might encounter during fire service.

Furthermore, the helmet is the most recognizable equipment of a firefighter. And it is made from durable and fire-resistant materials to protect their head from extreme temperatures and falling debris. Likewise, it also prevents the firefighter from getting drenched from the sprayed water.

Finally, the PPE also includes a face mask, an air pack, and an air cylinder so they can regulate air pressure and breathe clean air during firefighting operations. And in some situations, small editions such as a sealed off gear is also included so that the exhaled air will be used to cool the firefighter off.

Protection From Health Hazards

Aside from providing physical protection, the Personal Protective Equipment also serves as safety gear to protect the firefighter from dangerous elements in the air that might lead to serious respiratory conditions due to excessive inhalation of smoke and fumes. In addition, the PPE also acts as a shield to prevent the skin from absorbing harmful toxins and particles that might otherwise lead to chronic health conditions.

Final Word

Overall, PPE for firefighters is always required to be worn during fire service to provide enough protection and to enable these professionals from capably performing their duties. In addition to wearing PPE correctly, proper maintenance of this gear is also essential so that the equipment will remain in good condition and is ready to be worn in the event of another fire emergency.

Important Notice About Nomex Pricing

To Our Valued CrewBoss Customers,

We recently received notification from our fabric suppliers that DuPont Safety has increased the price of their Nomex® fiber by 10% globally for the emergency response market effective April 15th, 2019. Nomex® fiber is a key raw material in FR (Fire-Resistant) fabric that is utilized in the manufacturing of CrewBoss PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) products for the fire service market. As a result of this mid-year increase from DuPont Safety, prices for garments utilizing Nomex® will rise industrywide.

We are doing everything that we can to reduce and delay the effects of this price increase on our distribution partners and end users. Although the increased cost of raw materials have already been applied, we have made the decision to maintain our current price list until June 14th 2019.  This will give you the opportunity to place any additional orders for the season prior to the mandatory increase going into effect on June 15th. Any new orders placed on June 15th, 2019 or after will be processed based on a revised 2019 Price List – Effective June 15th, 2019.

Sincerely

Ryan Davidson
Director of Sales
CrewBoss

The NFPA 1975 Certification For Firefighter Station/Work Uniforms

There are different types of firefighter uniforms, including standard station wear, dress uniforms, and emergency protective clothing. Each of these different types of uniforms is designed to provide safety and protection from potential hazards while they are on duty.

This article focuses on the standard station/work uniforms for firefighters with a brief discussion on the NFPA 1975 scope.

Station Wear For Firefighters

A fire station uniform is worn by the firefighters and is often intended for daily use. Firefighters are allowed to wear clothing that adheres to specific dress code guidelines to ensure that their attire and uniform are appropriate for their duty. These guidelines are laid out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In most states, a law requires that a firefighter be allowed to carry identification and wear a uniform when on duty. Most of these laws are put in place to ensure that firefighters can function as effectively as possible and remain safe while on the job.

The station wear for firefighters ordinarily comes in monochrome pair (commonly black or navy blue) or with a white top uniform. It is used for daytime office operations, but it is also worn as an inner gear in fieldwork.

Certification of Firefighter Station Uniforms

Every fire department in the United States needs a certification of firefighter station uniforms in order to provide uniformity and safety in the workplace and even in emergency zones. 

NFPA 1975 Standard on Station/Work Uniforms For Firefighters

One vital element that firefighter station uniforms can add to personnel safety is the protection it provides the firefighters from possible injuries caused by high temperatures or chemical spills. This uniform allows the firefighters to be comfortable underneath the turnout gear while they are out on site. That is why the certification for firefighter station uniforms is an essential element of a successful fire station that ensures that each firefighter is fully protected when they are on duty.

According to the NFPA 1975 scope, these are the following requirements fire departments must follow:

• The design, performance, testing, and certification of nonprimary protective station/work uniforms and the individual garments comprising station/work uniforms. 

• Thermally stable textiles are used in the construction of station/work uniforms. 

• Flame-resistant textiles are specified or used in the construction of station/work uniforms.

The purpose of the standard station/work uniforms for firefighters is to "establish minimum requirements for thermally stable textiles that will not rapidly deteriorate, melt, shrink, or adhere to the wearer's skin, causing greater, more severe burn injuries."

Moreover, "This standard shall also provide optional flame resistance requirements and tests to verify the flame resistance of textiles where the authority having jurisdiction specifies the use of flame resistance textiles for the construction of station/work uniforms, or where the manufacturer represents station/work uniform textiles as flame resistant."

And lastly, the standard applies to "the manufacture and certification of new station/work uniforms, the individual garments comprising station/work uniforms, and nonprimary protective garments that comprise station/work uniforms."

Summary

Firefighter station uniforms are designed to provide protection, safety, and comfort to officers on duty, whether in the office or the field. They are also required to wear the appropriate protective clothing at all times to remain ready and secure in an untimely crisis. Our brave men may have a special responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for the general public, but their security is the number one priority.

Protect firefighters with NFPA 1975 certified standard on station/work uniforms. Visit our store and browse through our selection!