Req 6a — Firefighter Gear & PPE
6a.
Discuss with your counselor the personal protective equipment used by wildland firefighters and its use.
Wildland firefighters work in extreme heat, dense smoke, and rough terrain. Unlike structural firefighters who wear heavy turnout gear, wildland firefighters wear lightweight, breathable, flame-resistant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed for long miles of hiking and handline construction.
Essential Wildland Firefighter PPE
Wildland PPE Gear List
Personal protective equipment for the fireline
- Flame-Resistant Clothing (Nomex® / Kevlar®): High-visibility yellow shirts and forest green trousers made of inherently flame-resistant aramid synthetic fibers that will not melt or ignite.
- Hardhat (NFPA Rated): Heavy-duty plastic helmet with a chin strap to protect against falling tree branches and debris.
- Eye Protection: Shatter-resistant safety goggles or glasses to shield eyes from embers, ash, and dust.
- Hearing Protection: Earplugs or earmuffs used during chainsaw, heavy machinery, or helicopter operations.
- Leather Work Gloves: Heavy-duty, flame-resistant leather gloves to protect hands from heat, sharp tools, and blisters.
- Heavy-Duty Leather Boots: High-top (minimum 8-inch) leather boots with lug soles (such as Vibram) and melt-resistant stitching for traction on steep slopes.
- Personal Fire Shelter: A lightweight, foil-and-fiberglass deployable tent carried in a waist pack. Used strictly as a last-resort life-saving measure to reflect radiant heat if trapped by an entrapment burnover.
- Line Gear / Web Pack: Ergonomic pack carrying 3–5 quarts of drinking water, fireline rations, headlamp, and first-aid supplies.
Requirement 6a Resources
🎬 Video: Dressed for Fire — https://youtu.be/a0NtIJMDUD4
Next Steps
Now explore the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, 18 Watch Out Situations, and the LCES safety system.