Personal Protective Equipment - PPE News & Articles

• PPE basics: Protection, evaluation and care

  –

  Understanding the ensemble and how the components work together provides a solid appreciation of both PPE protections and limitations

• Accessibility to the NFPA standards process

  –

  Overcoming complexities and learning how firefighters can impact PPE requirements

• Implications of new NFPA 1970 standard addressing turnout gear and SCBA

  –

  A preview of what is likely to come to fruition in the next editions of NFPA 1971 for turnout gear and NFPA 1981 for SCBA

• Innovations in turnout gear: How to pick the best options for your department

  –

  Selecting new garments can be simple when done in a methodical way

• Addressing cleaning product and service claims

  –

  The next edition of NFPA 1851 may give detergent or cleaning agent suppliers a means to legitimately claim compliance with the standard

• Chief John Oates: "Can we just retire the ‘it’s a generational thing’ mindset?"

  –

  The IPSDI CEO argues that labeling firefighters by arbitrary birth years is unfair, too convenient and shortchanges the conversation around individuality

• Mass. city takes action against PFAS in firefighting gear

  –

  Methuen officials passed an ordinance stating the city will not purchase firefighter gear unless it is PFAS-free

• N.C. county spending nearly $600K on PPE in widespread effort to reduce FF cancer

  –

  Wake County is reducing the risk of cancer with PPE, decon and prohibiting tobacco products

• 1-click Prime Day tips for public safety

  –

  What's on your department’s Amazon wish list? 5 ways to leverage Prime Day for your department and community

• Firefighter safety reminder: Car fires are Class B fires

  –

  Responding to vehicle fires requires full PPE and a cautious approach to the fire fight

• $128K grant helps N.Y. FD reduce the risk of cancer

  –

  An AFG grant will help Troy firefighters keep their PPE clean and reduce their exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens

• Photos: FF rescues man in Idaho river after completing swiftwater rescue training

  –

  USFS Firefighter JT Sohr used his rafting gear to save a 91-year-old man trapped inside his car

• 'Burned: Protecting the Protectors' documentary debuts in Worcester

  –

  When Diane Cotter’s firefighter husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 she uncovered PFAS in PPE

• Ga. FDs reimbursed $37K for turnout gear damaged in chemical plant fire

  –

  Turnout gear worn in the Brunswick plant fire has been rendered useless due to the chemicals involved

• Ind. governor signs bill to monitor PFAS in firefighters across the state

  –

  A pilot program will monitor the chemical levels in the blood of thousands of firefighters

• Ill. FD to spend $500K on PFAS-free PPE to reduce cancer risk

  –

  Naperville City Council authorized spending to replace their frontline firefighter PPE with PFAS-free outer shells

• Standards changes ahead: An upcoming transformation in gear care and maintenance

  –

  Detailing emerging issues of concern with respect to PPE programs, gear selection, cleaning and decontamination, verification for ISPs, and PPE retirement

• A small-town VFD’s 6-year journey to minimize carcinogen exposure

  –

  The Greensburg VFD has improved its approach to gross decon and PPE laundering to help minimize firefighters’ cancer risks

• Training to command a mayday event

  –

  Officers must take personal responsibility for member readiness and plan single-company and multi-company drills to hone their own command skills

• Independent service providers: A valuable FD resource for PPE care and maintenance

  –

  How to use an ISP to navigate the implementation of your NFPA 1851 PPE program

• ‘Risk a little to save a lot’: A new look at an old mantra

  –

  Is it time to reconsider the levels of risk in light of everything we now know about the exposure risks we face on the fireground?

• ‘Put your pants back on’: Proper PPE use is critical to survival

  –

  Other firefighters died so you could live – so wear your damn gear already!

• Know your gear: What does a successful wear trial look like?

  –

  Select the best turnout gear for your department’s needs by following these guidelines

• How will the upcoming NFPA changes affect firefighters’ gear?

  –

  Here’s what’s on the horizon as several standards are updated and consolidated

• Don’t delay! Check out the 2022 AFG PPE Project Guide (eBook)

  –

  There is a short window of time to submit your application for AFG funding. Download this free guide to learn how to develop a competitive application for funding to purchase personal protective equipment.

• Load More Stories