PERSONAL PROTECTION OF FIREFIGHTERS

Personal protection during a rescue operation is absolutely necessary for firefighters. A firefighter needs protection against the weather, excessive heat, and fire gases. Firefighting clothing such as helmet, fire suit, gloves, and rubber boots will provide fair body protection. Boots have steel insoles to protect the feet from puncture wounds. Face and eye shields are sometimes necessary during some rescue operations, for these vital areas are also vulnerable to injury.

Firefighters pay special attention to protective breathing equipment. The lungs and respiratory tract are probably more vulnerable to injury than any other body area, and the gases in connection with fires are dangerous in one way or another. Firefighters are not permitted to enter a building which is charged with smoke and gas unless they are equipped with self-contained breathing equipment. Failure to use this equipment may not only cause a rescue failure, but also may incapacitate the rescuer.

Incomplete combustion of ordinary combustible materials such as wood, textiles, and paper produces carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas since it depletes the body of oxygen and asphyxiation can eventually result. Incomplete combustion of organic materials containing sulfur such as rubber, wool, meat, silk, produces hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide exposure for a short period will act as an irritant and asphyxiant. This gas is extremely poisonous and affects the nervous system, simultaneously causing rapid breathing rate followed by respiratory paralysis. Respiration will frequently fail before heart action ceases.

Exposure to heated air can also cause damage to respiratory tract. Firefighters should not enter an atmosphere exceeding 120 degrees F to 130 degrees F (48.9 degrees C to 54.4 degrees C) without protective breathing apparatus. Excessive heat that is conducted to the lungs quickly enough can cause a serious decreased blood pressure and failure of the circulatory system. Exposure to heated air can cause the respiratory system to become blocked due to fluid accumulation.

At the fire scene firefighters must first consider their own protection. Before entering the burning building they must size-up. To size-up or estimate the existing conditions means: to learn the facts of the situation, to understand the probabilities; to know your own situation (manpower, equipment); to determine plan of action. There are certain procedures that help to assure a swift and safe rescue operation. Wearing of proper clothing and using of self-contained protective breathing equipment is a regulation. If it is possible firefighters should work in pairs. Sometimes rope guide lines are tied to rescuers’ bodies when an operation is performed in the dark or under extremely hazardous situations.