Burn Injury Resource Center
Firefighters risk their lives daily to save our lives and properties. They face many hazards including the exposure to fire and therefore they need a protective uniform to help them perform their job. The uniform is composed of:
Helmet:
Firefighters wear a helmet to protect their heads from fire and from any falling things like debris. The helmet is made of Kevlar which is a very hard plastic. Helmets are equipped with a face shield. The color, number and wording on the helmet identify the rank, department and the fire company. A torch or a helmet light may be used by the firefighters in dark places, at night or to help them keep in contact with each others.
Jacket and trousers:
They are made up of NOMEX which is strong, light and easy to wear. The clothes are fire proof. They are called turnouts. The trousers are turned inside out and the boots are attached to it, in case of an emergency, the firefighter quickly jumps into the boots and pull the trousers up, these trousers have snaps and Velcro, they also have side pockets to put equipment, gloves and other things that the firefighter needs. These trousers have reflective stripes so that firefighters can be seen at night.
Gloves:
They are thick gloves made of fire resistant material that protect the hands of the firefighters from heat and from sharp objects like broken glass.
Boots:
Firefighter’s boots are made of rubber material. These boots have a steal toe covering to protect the toes of the firefighters; the shank in the sole is very thick and made of steel to protect the firefighters if they step on sharp objects such as nails. The boots have rubber handles at the top in order to help the firefighter pull the boots on very quickly.
Self contained breathing apparatus:
It is a cylinder filled with air carried on the back of the firefighter and made of fire resistant material. This cylinder is attached to a tube that runs to a rubber facemask twitch allows the firefighter to breath fresh air in cases where there is hazardous materials in the environment such as toxic gases and smoke.