Fire Fighter Protective Clothing
PPC – Wildfire
They are worn to protect against:
- radiant heat;
- minor burns;
- sunburn;
- abrasion;
- lacerations,
- hot embers; and
- risk of injury from vehicles or machinery in poor visibility.
They are made from a lightweight cotton fabric which has been treated with a flame retardant preparation (PROBAN®). The fabric is brightly coloured and has reflective strips for increased visibility.
They are designed to be, and intended to be worn, loose fitting to allow maximum freedom of movement and to ensure sufficient airflow to aid cooling. It is important in bushfire firefighting to minimise the build up of body heat. Sleeves must be rolled down and front studs closed when working close to a fire. They also have a large collar, which may be drawn up to protect the neck, lower head and ears. Closures at the wrist and ankle, when worn correctly, provide protection against embers and radiant heat. Both variations are designed to be worn over minimal under garments. For example, Polo-shirts, shorts and cotton or lightweight woollen trousers are the normal under garment combination. It is important to keep undergarments as light and loose fitting as possible, again to ensure sufficient airflow to aid cooling. Your personal protective clothing provides the primary protection against risks to life in a burnover situation. Secondary measures such as heatshielding, protective blankets and/or water sprays also assist in performing this function.
PPC – Structural
Constructed with “Aramid” fabrics, the wearer’s protection is assured by the compliance with the rigorous test methods and minimum performance criteria contained within Australian Standard AS 4967:2006 (Protective clothing for firefighters-
Requirements and test methods for protective clothing used for structural firefighting).
The fabrics have been specifically designed to provide known levels of protection to wearers engaged in structural firefighting.
Heat Resistance Will not melt, drip or ignite at a temperature of (260 ± 5)°C.
Approximate Weight 220 gms/m2.
The CFA offer two types of structural clothing ensemble
| Nomex 111A/D | PBI Gold | |
| Colour | Lime Green | Gold |
| Fibre Manufacturer | Du-Pont – Europe | PBI Products – USA |
| Fabric Woven By | Melba Textiles (Geelong) | Melba Textiles (Geelong) |
| Composition | 93% Nomex, 5% Kevlar, 2% | P140 Carbon fibre 40% Polybenzimidizole, 60% Kevlar |
Chemical Splash Suit
The chemical splash suit is designed to protect the wearer from specific hazards, namely the splash risk. They are suitable for a variety of situations;
- Protects against contact with hazardous liquids and solids, but not against all forms of hazardous gas
- Hazardous dust environments
- Extremely dirt environments.
The chemical splash suit is a Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) two piece suit, with trousers and a jacket and has a hood. They are worn with elbow-length gloves, knee-length boots, structural firefighters’ helmet and breathing apparatus (optional).
Positive Pressure Breathing Apparatus
Positive pressure breathing apparatus is designed to prevent contaminated air from entering the respiratory system. Because the most common way for hazardous materials to enter the human body is via the respiratory system, a firefighter’s BA is vital component of protective equipment. Worn correctly and with positive pressure maintained in the mask at all times, BA provides the best possible protection for the respiratory system. Provides self-contained respiratory protection for 30-45 minutes with a facepiece that covers eyes, nose, and mouth. The breathing apparatus protects against four common respiratory hazards:
- high temperatures
- oxygen deficiency
- toxic gases and fumes
- smoke, dust, or other airborne particulate matter
Without this protection the firefighter maybe subjected to asphyxiation, impaired vision and irritation to the eyes and irritation to the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.
The breathing apparatus comprises:
- cylinder of compressed breathing air
- transparent full-face mask, including an escape valve
- hose and regulator attaching mask to cylinder
- analogue gauge to show remaining air
- low-pressure warning whistle
- fittings for attaching optional accessories
Other Equipment
Automated External Defibrillator
there is one located on each of our appliances
An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is a small, portable easy to operate lifesaving medical device designed to deliver an electrical shock to a person who is having a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) medical emergency. These were purchased with the assistance of funds raised by our local community. Can you help us?
Thermal Imaging Camera
The Handheld Thermal Imaging Camera enables firefighters to:
- Locate the seat of the fire
- Determine the spread of the fire
- Identify points of greatest heat accumulation
- Determine ventilation points
- Determine entry points
- Determine method of attack
- Utilise TIC equipment to navigate building
- Determine exit points
- Locate and rescue casualty
- Identify hidden and spreading fire conditions
- Identify possible structural collapse
- Identify potential for flashover
- Direct the application of water
- Observe the effect of water application
- Identify hot spots
- Identify variations in temperature
- Identify construction features, structural integrity and possibility for structural collapse
- Identify the level of liquid and solid materials in a container
- Identify hazardous material movement on water
- Identify leaking gas.
Dräger UCF 9000 – Specifications
1.4 kg including battery
384 x 288 Microbolometer (aSi)
4 hour run time
Lithium ion battery
90 mm screen
57° horizontal field of view
Intrinsically safe
These were purchased with the assistance of funds raised by our local community. Can you help us as well?
LPG Flare Off Equipment
An LPG flare off is a controlled burning to eliminate the potential to release large amounts of LPG into the atmosphere. The Gisborne Fire Brigade is a CFA accredited specialist LPG Unit and uses the flare-off burner to conduct flaring off operations on automotive conversions and domestic cylinders up to 200kg in capacity.
To flare off the LPG is the last options to render a LPG incident safe. Prior to flaring off all reasonable attempts are made to stop a leak.
The main principle of burner operation is to use controlled burning to eliminate the dangers of releasing large amounts of LPG into the atmosphere. Liquified petroleum is channelled through the coils that make up the burner housing. As the liquid moves through the tubing it is pre-heated by flames from the outlet which is centrally located inside the lower section of the burner. The pre-heating causes the liquid to rapidly expand which increases the pressure at the discharge outlet of the burner. With the increase in temperature and pressure the liquid ideally should turn to vapour at the discharge outlet before being burnt.
Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan
Positive pressure – involves pressurizing the structure using a fan to force the smoke out. When using positive pressure ventilation, some form of opening (preferably in a straight line from the fan) must be made available for the smoke and heat to escape.
Positive pressure ventilation is generally preferred to negative pressure ventilation because it:
- greatly reduces the possibility of firefighters being exposed to toxic products;
- can be initiated quickly using few firefighters;
- allows smoke and heat to be removed quickly from all levels of the structure; and
- allows firefighters to enter the structure faster by increasing visibility and lowering heat levels allowing overhaul to commence earlier.
Forcible Entry Tools
There are a range of tools used access the site of an incident.
Each type has a specific purpose and requires special handling.
Axes. Axes are the most readily available entry tool. Three types of axe are:
- firefighters’ axe (small);
- firefighters’ axe (large); and
- the bushman’s axe.
The small firefighters’ axe and the common bushman’s axe are carried on most appliances, and the large firefighters’ axe is carried on selected appliances.
Bolt cutters. Bolt cutters are used to cut chains, wire rope, metal fastenings, security grills or chain wire fences. It is essential that the jaws are opened to their full extent and that the metal to be cut is firmly wedged into the jaws.
Bars. The following bars are tools used for levering doors, shutters, windows, and locks, and for moving heavy objects:
- bead breaker;
- crow bar;
- pinch bar; and
- haligan tool
The edge or points of these bars may be inserted into gaps and used as levers against fulcrum points.
Lock breakers. Halogan tool spike may be used to burst open padlocks.
Saws.
Hacksaws, handsaws, pneumatic saws, portable power saws and chainsaws can all be used to force entry, or clear obstructions. Power saws with steel cutting blades are an ideal tool for forcing an entry, especially on roller shutter doors and window bars.