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Firefighter PPE

Professionals in many industries require personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep them safe from various hazards. Firefighters often face dangerous conditions such as extreme heat, fire, and smoke along with toxic fumes, falling debris, and low visibility, among others. High-performance PPE keeps firefighters protected from these hazards and allows them to perform their life-saving work.

Paulson offers a selection of firefighter PPE that’s specially designed to protect wearers from the hazards of this industry. Since 1947, we’ve designed some of the most reliable safety products to protect firefighters and others from a variety of hazardous work conditions.

What Is Firefighter PPE?

Firefighters encounter many hazards on a daily basis, including exposure to elements such as extreme heat, smoke, gasses, and fumes. Because of these hazards, firefighters have required regulated equipment since 1977 to facilitate their safety.

PPE for firefighters protects them from harm resulting from exposure to fire along with other dangers such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) hazards. This equipment includes everything from gas masks and respirators to certain garments, gloves, and turnout gear.

High-quality PPE will provide physical protection from injury for firefighters as well as protection from health hazards that can cause certain illnesses. To provide firefighters with the protection they need, Paulson carries a selection of PPE such as firefighter goggles, google parts, and goggle accessories.

The Importance of Using the Correct PPE

PPE helps protect firefighters in many environments and situations. For example, firefighters need PPE such as fire-resistant bunker jackets and trousers, which will allow them to enter buildings without suffering burns from extreme heat. Respirators and masks also protect firefighters from smoke and gasses or fumes that could otherwise cause lung damage and illnesses.

Thermal and outer layers of PPE specifically protect firefighters from a combination of heat and flame. At the same time, a moisture barrier protects the skin from steam burns while preventing PPE from soaking in the water that firefighters spray. Helmets offer additional protection from heat and water along with falling debris. Goggles, face masks, and air supplies prevent smoke, fumes, and gasses from affecting firefighters.

Many tasks present different dangers for firefighters. For instance, firefighters may need to fight wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires or extinguish fires in large buildings like multi-level apartments or offices. In addition, they may need to move victims with serious injuries to safety from motor vehicle crashes and other hazardous areas. All these applications require sufficient PPE to protect firefighters based on the existing situation.

Many firefighters rely on structural PPE as the only form of reliable protection they have, which is why firefighters often require one-size-fits-all solutions for this equipment.

Fire & Rescue PPE Regulations

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To ensure firefighters get the protection they need, Paulson adheres to the latest industry regulations, including national and internal regulations.

The National Fire Protection Association and Firefighter Safety

Paulson meets the current safety standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with each piece of firefighter personal protective equipment. These guidelines include the following:

  • NFPA 1971 — Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting standard; this standard determines the protection needed from certain physical, thermal, bloodborne pathogen, and environmental hazards.
  • NFPA 1977 — Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting standard; this establishes guidelines for protection from certain hazards present in wildland fires.
  • NFPA 1951 — Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents standard; this puts standards in place for treatment, search and rescue, decontamination, and extrication, along with other emergency services.

The American National Standards Institute and Eye Safety

In addition to the NFPA guidelines, our firefighter PPE meets standards from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for eye safety. Specifically, we meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard for personal eye and face protection.

Paulson A-TAC® goggles are the only one of their kind to meet the specific needs of firefighters. These goggles have undergone and passed thorough heat exposure tests. They include a variety of features, including baffled top and bottom vents, anti-fog inner surfaces, hard-coated outer lenses, Quick Strap tension adjustments, and quick-release buckles. You can easily wear these goggles over other PPE such as helmets, spectacles, and hoods.

It’s easy to adjust and handle our A-TAC® goggles while wearing gloves, and they allow for high visibility with optically correct lenses. Additionally, we offer a selection of goggle accessories and parts that support our other products, including A-TAC® goggles, Infectious Disease Control/AntiFog (IDC/AF) shields, and face shields. Medical professionals and police officers also benefit from these products.

Protecting Our First Responders with Paulson PPE

Firefighter personal protective equipment is crucial for providing sufficient protection from injuries and illnesses on the job. At Paulson, we provide these and other professionals with superior PPE products that give them the protection they need.

For more information about our products, browse our full catalog. To find the right product for you or ask any questions you have for us, request a quote for our products or contact us today.