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Home My WebLink About311.007 - Wildland Firefighting Personal Protective EquipmentEffective Date: October 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/29/2023 Section 311.007 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/29/2028 Page 1 of 2 Fresno City Fire Department 300 Training and Equipment Manual SECTION 311.007 WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PURPOSE This policy provides general information regarding the use and maintenance of wildland firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE). APPLICATION This policy applies to all sworn suppression members when on duty. OPERATIONAL POLICY The Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) shall provide all sworn fire suppression personnel with appropriate PPE for all known hazards, train users in the use and maintenance of all issued PPE and provide means to repair/replace unserviceable personal protective equipment. All wildland firefighting PPE ensemble elements shall comply with the most current edition of NFPA 1977 Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting and Urban Interface Fire Fighting when issued to members. Unapproved alterations or repairs to, and/or removal of any component from Department issued Wildland Firefighting PPE ensemble is prohibited. Unless approved by an officer, all sworn safety members shall have a complete wildland firefighting PPE ensemble (helmet, jacket, pants, and gloves) in a serviceable condition and available for immediate use when on duty. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Members are responsible for the maintenance and care of the following PPE items issued to them, to include the performance of routine inspections, routine cleanings, and advanced cleanings: • Wildland firefighting helmet complete with eye protection, shroud, and chin strap (1) Effective Date: October 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/29/2023 Section 311.007 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/29/2028 Page 2 of 3 • Wildland firefighting jacket (2) • Wildland firefighting pants (2) • Wildland firefighting gloves (2) Note: When actively engaged in wildland firefighting, the wildland firefighting ensemble includes wildland web gear with an accessible NFPA compliant fire shelter. All in-service fire apparatus should carry at least one wildland web gear/shelter for each assigned member. In addition, each chief officer is to be issued their own web gear/pack/shelter. Wildland jacket and pants may be worn over day uniform or physical fitness uniform during medical aids and water/technical rescue incidents. The practice of wearing Department issued wildland pants over shorts when fighting wildland or vegetation fires is prohibited. Optional, Department approved dual-compliant day uniform pants may be worn in lieu of Department issued wildland firefighting pant during wildland or vegetation firefighting operations. Wildland firefighting garments/gloves do not incorporate a moisture barrier as do structural firefighting garments/gloves; therefore, wildland firefighting garments/gloves are not to be worn during incidents presenting a high likelihood of exposure to hazardous materials or blood borne pathogens. Wildland firefighting garments/gloves do not offer thermal protection as do structural firefighting garments; therefore, wildland firefighting garments/gloves are not to be worn while actively fighting structure fires. With approval of the incident commander, wildland garments may be worn during overhaul or salvage operations. Wildland firefighting garments/gloves do not offer the same level of puncture/laceration protection as do structural firefighting garments; therefore, wildland firefighting garments/gloves are not to be worn while actively performing auto extrication or other incidents presenting a high likelihood of these types of injuries. Effective Date: October 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/29/2023 Section 311.007 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/29/2028 Page 3 of 4 General Guidelines for Care of Ensemble Items Usage and care for all ensemble items should comply with manufacturer's guidelines. Users should avoid unnecessary exposure of PPE ensemble items to mechanical damage, thermal damage, ultraviolet light (includes fluorescent lighting as well as sunlight), and chemical/biological contaminants. To the greatest extent possible, all PPE ensemble items should be maintained in a clean and dry condition to ensure optimal performance. Use only Department approved disinfectants and detergents to clean/disinfect PPE ensemble items. The use of any product containing bleach or solvents, any abrasive cleaner, as well as any dry-cleaning process is prohibited. If any wildland firefighting PPE ensemble items is known or suspected to be damaged, defective, or otherwise unserviceable, said item is to be routed to Supply for repair or replacement. All firefighting PPE ensemble items issued to members should be inspected by a chief officer as part of the annual personnel inspection. Wildland Firefighting Pants and Jacket: Do not remove or deface garment manufacturer’s labels. Optional equipment (such as glove holder or radio strap retainer) may be affixed to the jacket or pant, subject to approval of the Fire Chief or designee. Routine inspection and routine cleaning of wildland firefighting garments is the same as for structural firefighting garments. Advanced cleanings are performed using Department washer/extractors set to the appropriate detergent formula. Remove all items from pockets, close all snaps and/or hook-an-loop closures, and close all zippers before placing wildland firefighting garments in washer/extractors. Hang garments to dry out of direct sunlight. User’s employee identification number is to be drawn free hand in one-inch numerals on the wildland firefighting pant and jacket with a black permanent marker. Jacket: inside left side zipper flap near the bottom (Figure 1). Pants: Inside left side waist band near zipper (Figure 2). Effective Date: October 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/29/2023 Section 311.007 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/29/2028 Page 4 of 5 Figure 1 Figure 2 Wildland Firefighting Helmet Do not remove or deface garment manufacturer’s labels. Helmet color is used to designate rank as follows: chief officers, white; fire captains, red; firefighters and firefighter specialists, yellow. A small digital camera and/or flashlight may be affixed to the helmet, subject to approval of the Fire Chief or designee. Addition of such equipment should not compromise the helmet shell. Inspection and cleaning of wildland helmets is the same as for structural firefighting helmets. Helmet shroud and brow pad can be washed with like items in Department washer/extractors. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. Effective Date: October 2007 Thomas Cope, Battalion Chief Current Revision Date: 12/29/2023 Section 311.007 Next Revision (1) Date: 12/29/2028 Page 5 of 5 CROSS-REFERENCES NFPA 1977 Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting and Urban Interface Fire Fighting Training and Equipment Manual Section 311.005, Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program Section 311.008, Protective Footwear Section 311.009, Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing Cleaning Procedures