FR-O-601 CARE AND CLEANING OF FIRE FIGHTING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

The protective gear worn by firefighters for structural fires, consisting of the helmet, coat, pants, gloves, and boots.

All protective equipment designed for an individual, including bunker gear, wildland gear, proximity fire fighting ensembles, and other safety gear.

A set of fire fighting gear specifically designed for wildland fires, such as brush fires.

Protective equipment worn by firefighters tackling air or ground crashes, involving flammable liquids or materials.

The official document outlining the procedures for the care, cleaning, and inspection of firefighting equipment.

A set of instructions for caring for and maintaining bunker gear, provided by the manufacturer.

Firefighters are responsible for the upkeep of their assigned personal protective equipment, even outside of work hours.

Wearing any personal protective equipment other than the one issued by the Fire Rescue agency is strictly prohibited.

Operational Captains and above can schedule bunker gear cleaning at the Chief Herman W.Brice Fire Rescue Complex.

Only coats and pants can be cleaned in the extractor washers at the Fire Rescue Complex.

Bunker gear must never be left unattended at the Fire Rescue Complex while being cleaned or inspected.

All Fire Rescue personnel who use extractor washers must undergo training and approval from the Training and Safety Division.

After cleaning, bunker gear must be reassembled correctly, including the Drag Rescue Device (DRD).

Fire Rescue strives to ensure all personnel complete annual advanced cleaning of bunker gear, including the helmet, hood, gloves, boots, suspenders, and belt.

An Independent Service Provider (ISP) conducts the annual advanced cleaning and inspection of bunker gear.

Personnel approved to use personal leather structural firefighting helmets require a Personal Leather Helmet Affidavit on file.

Personal leather helmets must be submitted for annual advanced cleaning and inspection.

If a leather helmet fails inspection and cannot be repaired, it must be disposed of by the employee.

A bunker gear ISP will pick up and deliver bunker gear from each fire station according to an established schedule.

Bunker gear is placed in a plastic bag and secured inside the fire apparatus for ISP pickup.

Fire Rescue personnel attach a label indicating their name, battalion, and shift to the bunker gear.

Fire Rescue personnel must record their bunker coat and pants serial numbers in the Training & Safety Compliance Program.

Fire Rescue personnel should receive their primary set of bunker gear back at the fire station within 36 hours after pick-up for annual advanced inspection and cleaning.

Two types of bunker gear, Cairns and Lion, that must be worn as matching sets.

A routine inspection of bunker gear conducted by firefighters after each use to identify any damage or contamination.

Annual inspection of bunker gear conducted by an Independent Service Provider (ISP).

Firefighters must return their wildland gear if they are transferred to a station without wildland apparatus.

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) worn by firefighters to provide breathable air in dangerous environments.

SCBA must be checked at the beginning of each shift to ensure proper functioning.

The care and cleaning of bunker gear must follow manufacturer instructions and NFPA 1851 standards.

Bunker gear can be cleaned at a fire station or at the Chief Herman W. Brice Fire Rescue Complex.

Household washing machines are prohibited for cleaning bunker gear.

Specific cleaning agents, like chlorine bleach and fabric softeners, are not allowed when cleaning bunker gear.

Firefighters must report any damage to their bunker gear, cleaning-related or otherwise, to their supervisor and up the chain of command.

The Training and Safety Division cleans bunker gear for firefighters participating in multi-day training events.

The tetrahedron coloring scheme on the helmet must be maintained and clearly visible at all times.

Firefighters must personally record their bunker gear serial numbers for proper identification and maintenance.

Firefighters receiving repairs for their bunker gear will receive a temporary replacement from the Safety Gear Warehouse while their primary set is being repaired.

Fire Rescue may invite select personnel to participate in field evaluations to assess new equipment or personal protective gear.

Only Fire Rescue personnel participating in the field evaluation program are allowed to utilize equipment or personal protective equipment other than approved Fire Rescue issued gear.

All bunker gear must be retired from active service after a maximum of 10 years from the date of manufacture.

The radiant reflective outer shell of the Proximity Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles must be replaced every 5 years.

Retired bunker gear can be used for training without live fire, public education events, or as deemed by Fire Rescue.

All bunker gear, wildland gear, and Proximity Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles including SCBA's that were worn by firefighters who were victims and received serious injuries or fatalities shall be immediately secured by the Incident Commander.

Internal Affairs takes custody of clothing worn during incidents involving serious injuries or fatalities, keeping it sealed and stored for a minimum of five years.

Employees who lost or had their bunker gear stolen must file a police report, submit a Property and Liability Accident, Incident Report, and choose a reimbursement plan.