Wildland PPE and Respiratory Protection: Firefighting Safety and Equipment | Quizlet

What is wildland PPE?

Protective clothing and equipment designed specifically for wildland firefighting.

What does wildland PPE generally include?

Gloves, goggles, jackets, trousers, one-piece jumpsuits, long-sleeve shirts, helmets, face/neck shrouds, protective footwear, fire shelters, load-carrying equipment, respiratory protection when required, and chainsaw protection.

What is the purpose of a wildland fire shelter?

To protect firefighters from convected and radiant heat.

What respiratory protection may be used for wildland firefighting?

NIOSH-certified, NIOSH-approved air-purifying respirators (APRs) and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), when appropriate.

What is chainsaw protection?

Chaps, leggings, or protective trousers made of ballistic nylon fibers that protect the legs.

Is wildland PPE designed for interior structural firefighting?

No, it is not designed, certified, or intended for interior structural firefighting.

What minimum PPE does NFPA 1500 specify for ground-cover fire fighting?

A helmet with eye protection and neck shroud, flame-retardant shirt and pants or a one-piece jumpsuit, protective footwear, gloves, and a fire shelter in a crush-resistant case.

What is required PPE for roadway incidents?

High-visibility vests that meet applicable ANSI/DOT and NFPA/CSA requirements.

When should a high-visibility roadway vest be worn?

When working on or near roadways, but not while performing structural firefighting or hazardous materials activities.

Why is PPE not a substitute for situational awareness?

PPE creates a protective barrier but cannot isolate firefighters from all hazards; awareness of environmental changes is essential.

Why should protective clothing be dry before use?

Moisture can transfer heat rapidly and result in serious steam burns.

How can tight or loose protective clothing create hazards?

Tight clothing may not close properly and reduces protection; loose clothing can hinder mobility and create tripping hazards.

What is the minimum required coat-to-trouser overlap at the waist?

A minimum of 2 inches (50 mm) when bending over at a 90-degree angle.

What is thermal saturation?

A condition where the thermal environment heats the exterior of PPE until it becomes saturated with heat.

What can prolonged exposure to hot environments while wearing PPE cause?

Heat stress or burns due to moisture retention from sweating.

Is PPE designed to protect against flashover or backdraft?

No, PPE is not designed to protect against fire conditions such as backdraft or flashover.

What can happen when PPE absorbs excessive heat?

Heat can build up until the PPE becomes hotter than the surrounding environment, potentially causing burns.

What can happen to Velcro fasteners when heated?

Heat can cause Velcro components to fuse together.

What should RIT and rescue personnel do when removing super-heated PPE?

Exercise caution and wear firefighting gloves.

At what skin temperatures do burns become increasingly severe?

First-degree burns at about 118°F (47.8°C), second-degree burns at about 131°F (55°C), and third-degree burns at about 152°F (66.7°C).

When should firefighters inspect their PPE?

At the start of every work shift, after every use, after washing/repair/decontamination, and periodically.

What should firefighters look for during routine PPE inspection?

Soiling, missing or damaged hardware, physical damage, worn stitching, thermal damage, and loss of waterproofing.

What should happen to PPE that is damaged?

It should be removed from service and evaluated by the manufacturer or a trained department member.

Who should repair PPE?

Only personnel trained or certified to repair PPE.

What are the four types of PPE cleaning?

Routine cleaning, advanced cleaning, specialized cleaning, and contract cleaning.

What is routine PPE cleaning?

Cleaning performed as needed to remove normal dirt and contamination.

What is advanced PPE cleaning?

A more thorough cleaning performed periodically.

What is specialized PPE cleaning?

Cleaning required when clothing is contaminated with hazardous materials.

What is contract PPE cleaning?

Cleaning performed by an outside contractor.

What should be done with PPE after an incident involving contamination?

Remove contaminated clothing from service and have it cleaned.

How should loose debris be removed during routine PPE cleaning?

Brush it off with a broom or soft bristle brush.

What should firefighters know about washing PPE?

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and use a dedicated washing machine.

What should never be done with contaminated PPE?

Do not take it into living quarters or wash it in home washing machines.

Where should PPE be stored?

Away from vehicle exhaust and other contamination sources.

What should happen to damaged protective clothing beyond repair?

It should be removed from service and destroyed.

Why is SCBA important to firefighters?

SCBA provides breathable air in hazardous environments.

What is SCBA?

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus providing respiratory protection during hazardous operations.

When is SCBA required?

For activities in or near a potentially immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) environment.

What are the two major categories of respiratory protection equipment?

Atmosphere-supplying respirators (ASRs) and air-purifying respirators (APRs).

What is the difference between an ASR and an APR?

ASRs provide breathable air in oxygen-deficient or toxic atmospheres; APRs filter contaminants from the air.

What is the primary type of respiratory protection used in the fire service?

Atmosphere-supplying respirator (ASR), particularly SCBA.

What are common respiratory hazards?

Oxygen deficiency, elevated temperatures, particulate contaminants, gases and vapors, and airborne pathogens.

What is an oxygen-deficient atmosphere?

An atmosphere containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen.

What happens as oxygen levels decrease?

Respiratory rate increases; hypoxia occurs, impairing physical and mental performance.

What is hypoxia?

A condition caused by insufficient oxygen reaching body tissues.

What is a major cause of oxygen-deficient atmospheres?

Combustion, which consumes oxygen and produces toxic gases.

What environments may be oxygen deficient?

Confined spaces like sewers, chemical storage tanks, and areas with displaced oxygen.

What should firefighters do when atmospheric monitoring is unavailable?

Wear SCBA when conditions may be oxygen deficient or hazardous.

What can inhaling heated gases do to the respiratory system?

It can damage the respiratory tract and cause pulmonary edema.

What are particulate contaminants?

Small particles suspended in the air that can harm the respiratory system.

Where can firefighters encounter particulate contaminants?

Wildland fires, welding, fire apparatus operation, and structural fires.

What health problems can exposure to particulate contaminants cause?

Asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and premature death.

What respiratory protection can protect against particulate contaminants?

APRs and PAPRs when approved for specific hazards.

What are limitations of APRs/PAPRs?

They do not protect against toxic gases or oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

What is an air-purifying respirator (APR)?

A respirator that filters ambient air through a filter or cartridge.

When may APRs be appropriate?

For certified hazards like certain medical incidents and particulate-producing tools.

What are important limitations of APRs?

Limited service lives of filters; continuous monitoring of the atmosphere is required.

What are gases and vapors?

Gases exist at standard temperature and pressure; vapors result from changes affecting solids or liquids.

How can gases and vapors enter the body?

They can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed.

What health effects can exposure to gases and vapors cause?

Cancer, thyroid damage, eye irritation, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory problems.

What are common hazardous fire gases and vapors?

Carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia.

Why must firefighters use SCBA around combustion products?

Combustion products can be deadly and hazardous concentrations can remain.

What are examples of nonfire sources of hazardous gases and vapors?

Industrial incidents, transportation spills, and leaks from storage containers.

What is the proper position for firefighters at a hazardous materials incident?

Remain at a safe distance, preferably upwind and uphill.

Where can hazardous nonfire gases and vapors commonly be found?

In fire suppression systems, air-conditioning systems, and commercial outlets.

Where may toxic gases also be found in confined areas?

In sewers, caves, storage tanks, and storm drains.

Why are confined spaces especially dangerous?

They may contain toxic gases and be oxygen deficient.

What are airborne pathogens?

Disease-causing microorganisms suspended in the air.

How can airborne pathogens cause infection?

Through inhalation or direct contact.

When might firefighters encounter airborne pathogens?

During medical responses and rescue operations.

What types of respiratory protection can help protect against airborne pathogens?

HEPA filters, APRs/PAPRs, and SCBA.

What is a HEPA filter?

A high-efficiency particulate air filter used to filter airborne particles.

Are HEPA filter masks approved for every use?

No, they are generally single-use and not approved for every hazard.