By Jeff Koledo, Fire-Dex vice president of sales
When it comes to firefighting, few decisions are as pivotal as selecting the appropriate turnout gear for optimal safety and performance. In this article, we discuss the selection process, examining four key factors that can help simplify the determination process for ideal gear tailored to a fire department’s specific requirements.
Embracing the NFPA Standard
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) holds a crucial role in upholding the well-being and security of firefighting personnel through its extensive guidelines on personal protective equipment (PPE) care and maintenance. To ensure the welfare of emergency responders, it is imperative to opt for structural firefighting gear that adheres to NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.
NFPA 1971 establishes minimum protective levels against thermal, physical, environmental, and bloodborne pathogen threats faced during structural and proximity firefighting operations. Adhering to NFPA 1971 not only guarantees that firefighters are equipped with gear capable of withstanding extreme conditions but also ensures that the equipment offers maximum breathability and comfort.
It is equally essential to recognize that structural firefighting PPE is designed specifically to shield against thermal hazards in structural firefighting scenarios. Using structural gear during nonfire emergencies can exert unnecessary strain on the body, potentially leading to fatigue and exposure to contaminants.
Performing a Risk Assessment
Undertaking a methodical risk assessment is another pivotal step in the process. This procedure involves meticulously identifying specific hazards that personnel may encounter while executing their duties. Subsequently, the next stage involves ascertaining the necessary levels of personal protection to guarantee the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of firefighters when they confront these perils.
A comprehensive risk assessment serves as a valuable tool. It encompasses recognizing potential hazards. It also accounts for the number of structural and nonfire calls that the department responds to and how often personnel will use structural gear, with further consideration paid to the department’s geographical location (e.g., in a major metropolis filled with operational areas that might influence the required PPE) as well as the typical climate of the area (e.g., in regions where very high or low seasonal temperatures will have a major impact on gear selection).
A thorough risk assessment also gauges the experiences of crew members who have used existing turnout gear and seeks to obtain their feedback and satisfaction ratings. Furthermore, an assessment can justify the additional resources needed to ensure the readiness of crews in handling diverse challenges, such as access to alternative PPE for nonfire calls or developing a training program for proper gear selection and care.
Choosing the Right Materials
Each turnout composite system comprises an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. These three layers must harmonize to offer balanced protection.
Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) and Total Heat Loss (THL) metrics originate from this selected three-layer composite system, influencing breathability and comfort. TPP measures the time taken for the heat from flames to pass through the composite, potentially causing second-degree burns, while THL evaluates the system’s ability to dissipate heat and moisture.
Composite systems determine the overall weight of the turnout gear, its thermal resistance qualities and resistance to penetration, as well as its ability to help the body regulate temperature and move easily through a fire scene. When selecting composites, consider factors such as breathability, lightweight design, and thin materials that facilitate the body’s natural cooling process, reducing the risk of heat stress.
Conducting a Wear Trial
It is crucial to thoroughly evaluate turnout gear before making a purchase. To ensure a seamless wear trial and to arrive at choices that cater to the well-being of all personnel, departments can use several best practices. Before embarking on the procurement of PPE, take note of the following guidelines.
Seek Alignment
Ensuring comprehensive stakeholder alignment with the department’s requirements is important. This requires the participation of health and safety committees, union representatives, administrators, procurement specialists, and training personnel, all of whom make up a typical evaluation panel. From the initial stages to gear procurement, consider opportunities to foster stakeholder collaboration, whether through periodic progress assessments or by organizing visits to manufacturers’ facilities. A factory tour is often the best way to learn more about advanced materials and techniques used in the production of the garments under evaluation. This also fosters a shared understanding among all parties that can streamline decision making down the road.
Make It Measurable
It is also important to establish quantifiable evaluation criteria for wear trials. For instance, when assessing gloves, emphasize factors like thermal protection, palm size accuracy, and dexterity and for boots, weight, stability, and ease of donning rugged footwear become paramount.
To maintain impartiality throughout the trial, ensure that data collection remains confidential. And to eliminate any potential bias stemming from physical exhaustion, be sure to limit thermal evaluations to once per day per evaluator.
Assess Aging Gear
Strongly consider updating your PPE if it’s beginning to show signs of aging. Start by scheduling meetings with gear manufacturers to explore the latest options, as an open dialogue is vital to ensuring a mutual understanding of your department’s needs. Bunker gear is evolving to be stronger; safer; and, in some cases, smarter. Take time to inquire about designing a solution from the ground up that aligns with the evolving landscape of fire services.
Test Everything
Implement the All Participants Test All Gear approach (APTAG) to ensure a comprehensive head-to-head comparison of each ensemble under a variety of conditions. Evaluators should follow the APTAG approach rather than wearing ensemble A for a designated period and then ensemble B, and so on.
It is also prudent to grant the gear manufacturer access to your evaluators for fit verification. Despite careful upfront measurements, many factors can influence the actual fit of the garment upon receipt, potentially compromising the evaluation process.
Discuss Results
Wear trials can require substantial time and attention from both the fire department and gear manufacturer. Following the evaluation period, a post-trial summary offers a chance to examine the outcomes, including all surveys and reports produced. Typically, manufacturers are willing to conduct a formal presentation at a location of your choice. Even if you are fully satisfied with your purchase, this is a valuable opportunity to benchmark your department’s updated requirements against the expectations for future needs.
Choose Wisely
Efficiently navigating the turnout gear selection process goes beyond merely finding the right garments; it’s a commitment to safeguarding the dedicated individuals who tirelessly serve their communities. By adhering to these four steps, you play a vital role in advancing the quality of protective apparel and upholding the highest standards of safety, effectiveness, and well-being for firefighters.
Find more fitting advice for fire departments at FireDex.com.
