Stop 39 – What Does a Firefighter Wear?

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A firefighter has to be protected from head to toe, from heat, poisonous gas, toxic smoke, and falling debris. Let's go from the top down.

The helmet has a visor to shield the face and eyes. Under it, a hood covers the ears, neck, and shoulders. The coat and pants have a flame-resistant outer shell and an insulated liner. Boots have steel toes, and thick leather gloves protect the hands from heat and sharp debris.

On the back is the self-contained breathing apparatus, a tank of compressed air feeding a mask, so the firefighter can breathe clean air in thick smoke.

Every firefighter also carries accountability tags. One stays on the truck, and one goes to the person at the door, so the commander always knows who's inside. And every air pack has a personal alarm. If a firefighter stops moving, or it gets too hot, it sounds a loud, screeching alarm to lead others to them.