By Alan M. Petrillo

The personal protective equipment (PPE) needs of emergency medical service (EMS) responders differ from those of structural firefighters, with less emphasis on protection from heat and more on protection from bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other substances.

As a result, PPE manufacturers are making gear tailored for those specific needs as well as turnouts compliant with multiple National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

1 Lion makes the MedPro line of EMS turnout gear with a Westex® DH fire-resistant, breathable outer shell and a CROSSTECH® EMS moisture barrier. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Lion.)

EMS Turnouts

Alysha Gray, product manager of fire PPE for Lion, says that Lion introduced its MedPro™ emergency medical call gear last year and that it is compliant with NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing and Ensembles for Emergency Medical Operations. Gray says MedPro’s outer shell is constructed of Westex® DH fire-resistant, breathable fabric with a Hydropel Premier finish “that gives both comfortable and durable protection against flash fires.” MedPro gear has a durable CROSSTECH® EMS moisture barrier that protects against blood, body fluid, and water while still remaining breathable, she says.

2 The TR-51 series of TECHRESCUE® turnout gear made by Lion is dual compliant with NFPA standards for EMS and technical rescue work.

Gray points out that MedPro gear, available in both navy and high-visibility yellow colors, has PCA-reinforced elbows, knees, and cuffs; has Lite-N-Dri™ knee cushioning; functional pockets for easy tool access and versatility; and “superior mobility because of a banded crotch, underarm bellows, and bi-swing back,” she adds.

Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, notes that Lion’s TR51™ technical rescue and recovery ensemble is compliant with NFPA 1999 and NFPA 1951, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents. “Our technical rescue PPE is a multipurpose garment that is an option for EMS use,” Lehtonen says. “The Nomex® outer shell is tough and durable for extended wear life; the 3M Scotchlite™ reflective material makes sure you’re seen in low-light and daylight conditions; and the CROSSTECH S/R removable liner provides liquid penetration resistance to water, blood, and bodily fluids.”

Rob Freese, senior vice president of marketing for Globe Manufacturing Co., says Globe’s EMSRESCUE™ gear is all-weather, waterproof, breathable, lightweight, windproof, and comfortable. “The gear is compliant with NFP

By Alan M. Petrillo

The personal protective equipment (PPE) needs of emergency medical service (EMS) responders differ from those of structural firefighters, with less emphasis on protection from heat and more on protection from bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other substances.

As a result, PPE manufacturers are making gear tailored for those specific needs as well as turnouts compliant with multiple National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

1 Lion makes the MedPro line of EMS turnout gear with a Westex® DH fire-resistant, breathable outer shell and a CROSSTECH® EMS moisture barrier. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Lion.)

EMS Turnouts

Alysha Gray, product manager of fire PPE for Lion, says that Lion introduced its MedPro™ emergency medical call gear last year and that it is compliant with NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing and Ensembles for Emergency Medical Operations. Gray says MedPro’s outer shell is constructed of Westex® DH fire-resistant, breathable fabric with a Hydropel Premier finish “that gives both comfortable and durable protection against flash fires.” MedPro gear has a durable CROSSTECH® EMS moisture barrier that protects against blood, body fluid, and water while still remaining breathable, she says.

2 The TR-51 series of TECHRESCUE® turnout gear made by Lion is dual compliant with NFPA standards for EMS and technical rescue work.

Gray points out that MedPro gear, available in both navy and high-visibility yellow colors, has PCA-reinforced elbows, knees, and cuffs; has Lite-N-Dri™ knee cushioning; functional pockets for easy tool access and versatility; and “superior mobility because of a banded crotch, underarm bellows, and bi-swing back,” she adds.

Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, notes that Lion’s TR51™ technical rescue and recovery ensemble is compliant with NFPA 1999 and NFPA 1951, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents. “Our technical rescue PPE is a multipurpose garment that is an option for EMS use,” Lehtonen says. “The Nomex® outer shell is tough and durable for extended wear life; the 3M Scotchlite™ reflective material makes sure you’re seen in low-light and daylight conditions; and the CROSSTECH S/R removable liner provides liquid penetration resistance to water, blood, and bodily fluids.”

Rob Freese, senior vice president of marketing for Globe Manufacturing Co., says Globe’s EMSRESCUE™ gear is all-weather, waterproof, breathable, lightweight, windproof, and comfortable. “The gear is compliant with NFP

Experience coupled with wisdom is often worth sharing. That’s why this column is about the dangers firefighters face when a flashover occurs. I have written about flashovers in other columns because this phenomenon can claim the lives of firefighters. The more knowledge we arm our firefighters with about flashovers, the safer they will be.

A flashover is an extremely dangerous occurrence when a fire rapidly engulfs an area with temperatures reaching more than 1,000˚F. When I explain a flashover to my recruits, I tell them a flashover is when a hot fire becomes an inescapable fire. The fire service gives a great deal of attention to understanding flashovers but in today’s firefighting environment, where firefighters respond less and less often to fire calls, it is even more critical to keep flashover training at the forefront of all discussions. One way to achieve this is to train our firefighters to recognize preflashover signs. What’s important to remember when talking about a flashover is that it builds from a multitude of prior events that lead to what becomes a catastrophic event. The fire service estimates that firefighters have maybe two to three seconds to escape a flashover. Firefighters can train for these events to avoid being in harm’s way when a flashover occurs.

1 Size up the interior of each room with your TIC to be aware of constantly changing conditions that could result in a flashover. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) during preflashover situations can help you determine warning signs that you would not otherwise see without the use of this tool. A TIC will never help you if you are caught in a flashover. I cannot stress this enough. You don’t have enough time to look at your TIC and try to escape a flashover. Remember, the fire service estimates that you have maybe two or three seconds max to get out of the situation. There’s no time to process what’s on your TIC screen and, even if you had a few more seconds, looking at your TIC will only show you what you already know is happening. It’s important to remember that a TIC is a tool to help you detect a flashover.

Firefighters know before entering a structure to use their TIC to size up the exterior, but it’s just as critical to size up the interior of a structure to be aware of constantly changing conditions. Once inside the structure, you can use your TIC for visual readings to help you determine the severity of a situation. Using your TIC to scan inside a structure lets you look for signs of excessive heat buildup, particularly near the ceiling, or levels of high heat closer to the floor where you might not otherwise expect it. For example, your TIC can detect how rapidly fire gases are moving across a structure’s ceiling to help you determine if they are moving to other areas or being contained in the room you are in. Use your TIC to help you see through the thick smoke that is happening above you and to also help you detect thermal laye

Experience coupled with wisdom is often worth sharing. That’s why this column is about the dangers firefighters face when a flashover occurs. I have written about flashovers in other columns because this phenomenon can claim the lives of firefighters. The more knowledge we arm our firefighters with about flashovers, the safer they will be.

A flashover is an extremely dangerous occurrence when a fire rapidly engulfs an area with temperatures reaching more than 1,000˚F. When I explain a flashover to my recruits, I tell them a flashover is when a hot fire becomes an inescapable fire. The fire service gives a great deal of attention to understanding flashovers but in today’s firefighting environment, where firefighters respond less and less often to fire calls, it is even more critical to keep flashover training at the forefront of all discussions. One way to achieve this is to train our firefighters to recognize preflashover signs. What’s important to remember when talking about a flashover is that it builds from a multitude of prior events that lead to what becomes a catastrophic event. The fire service estimates that firefighters have maybe two to three seconds to escape a flashover. Firefighters can train for these events to avoid being in harm’s way when a flashover occurs.

1 Size up the interior of each room with your TIC to be aware of constantly changing conditions that could result in a flashover. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) during preflashover situations can help you determine warning signs that you would not otherwise see without the use of this tool. A TIC will never help you if you are caught in a flashover. I cannot stress this enough. You don’t have enough time to look at your TIC and try to escape a flashover. Remember, the fire service estimates that you have maybe two or three seconds max to get out of the situation. There’s no time to process what’s on your TIC screen and, even if you had a few more seconds, looking at your TIC will only show you what you already know is happening. It’s important to remember that a TIC is a tool to help you detect a flashover.

Firefighters know before entering a structure to use their TIC to size up the exterior, but it’s just as critical to size up the interior of a structure to be aware of constantly changing conditions. Once inside the structure, you can use your TIC for visual readings to help you determine the severity of a situation. Using your TIC to scan inside a structure lets you look for signs of excessive heat buildup, particularly near the ceiling, or levels of high heat closer to the floor where you might not otherwise expect it. For example, your TIC can detect how rapidly fire gases are moving across a structure’s ceiling to help you determine if they are moving to other areas or being contained in the room you are in. Use your TIC to help you see through the thick smoke that is happening above you and to also help you detect thermal laye