The Importance of Wearing Your Personal Protective Equipment as a Firefighter

by Mark van der Feyst

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for all firefighters. PPE for firefighters is not only required, but it is extremely important as it protects them from many dangers that they will face within the scope of their job. Some of the dangers that firefighters will come across within their job include heat and flames, hazardous materials, injuries, burns and possible death. While safety is the main reason why proper PPE should be worn, they are needed by firefighters to prevent them from inhaling hazardous fumes, toxins, and debris that could harm their lungs, respiratory system, as well as a shield to prevent the skin from absorbing harmful toxins and particles that might otherwise lead to chronic health conditions.

Firefighter helmet and boots

Firefighter's PPE, also known as turnout gear or bunker gear, is a critical component as it is made with different layers of fabric for optimal fire protection. The outer and thermal layer protects the firefighter from radiant heat, and it can also serve as protection from partial flame. The moisture barrier serves as a protection from the sprayed water to prevent the body from getting soaked, thus saving them from injuries due to steam burns. The gloves and boots that firefighters wear are made from fire-resistant materials to protect their hands and feet from sharp objects, radiant heat, and other dangers that might occur. The helmet is made from durable and fire-resistant materials as well as it includes a mounted flip-down shield to protect their heads and faces from extreme temperatures and falling debris. Likewise, it also prevents the firefighter from getting drenched from the sprayed water. The PPE also includes a face mask, air pack, and an air cylinder so that they are able to regulate air pressure and breathe clean air.  

The proper fit of a firefighter's PPE is crucial to their safety as well as endurance. PPE that fits properly enhances the firefighter's ability to carry out their duties effectively while minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries. Gear that is not fitted properly can impede movement, restrict flexibility, and compromise overall functionality, posing potential hazards on the fire ground. Firefighters who are properly protected have a greater chance of survival than those who are not.  

In addition to wearing PPE correctly, proper cleaning and maintenance of this gear is also essential. Carcinogens are present on the fireground so as a carrier of contamination, wearing inadequately cleaned or uncleaned PPE results in the transfer of that contamination to any surface or person the firefighter encounters. The equipment should always remain in good condition and be ready to be worn for the next emergency. 

PPE is the only equipment that is used in every emergency. Wearing the appropriate PPE is heroic. A firefighter cannot help or save someone else if they themselves are hurt, injured, or worse, dead. Simply put, PPE is as important a tool as anything else in the fire service.

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Mark van der Feyst has been in the fire service since 1998, currently serving as a firefighter with the Fort Gratiot Fire Department in Michigan. He is an international instructor teaching in Canada, the United States, and India. He is a veteran of two AFM trips to Kenya.

Serving In Nigeria with FCT Fire Service and IHVN

It was great to be back in Abuja, Nigeria in January and early February!

An AFM team of six provided training to FCT firefighters, IHVN staff and partners from the “Committee of Stakeholders on the General Safety & Security of Cadastral Zone C00 Abuja FCT.” The training allowed the AFM team to assess the capabilities of the firefighters as well as gain a better understanding of the community’s perspective of firefighters. Training for the FCT Fire Service focused on enhancing fire response capabilities, promoting utilization of available equipment and tools for firefighting, and enhancing community awareness.

Team member Mike Kull elaborated that “we were able to provide quality training on a wide variety of topics - Breathing Apparatus, Ladders, Hose Drills - Firefighters from FCT Fire Service were eager to learn and we expect to see rapid and positive results from this training. We realize that development is a slow process but we have high hopes for the firefighters here in Nigeria.”

Head of Operations, FCT Fire Service, Engr. Adesina Abioye, stated that the training has updated Fire Service Staff with modern professional ways of rescue and firefighting, and served as a refresher course on fire prevention and administration for the Senior Staff who participated. “The importance of the partnership cannot be overemphasized; it has brought tremendous benefits to the partners and the stakeholders community. What would have cost the FCT administration a huge sum of money was made available at no cost due to partnership,” he said.

AFM also conducted a needs assessment to identify tools and equipment needed to further develop the FCT Fire Service and donated firefighting equipment. This equipment included firefighting coats, boots, gloves, suspenders and helmets for enhanced effectiveness in responding to fire incidents and saving lives, property, and critical infrastructure.

We are grateful that IHVN is committed to collaborating with FCT Fire Service to enhance the capabilities of the fire service and look forward to continued collaboration in Nigeria.

Keeping Firefighters Safe through PPE Donations

If you are a firefighter you probably know that gear expires. Maybe reading this, you are learning about the fire service and this might be new information to you. Either way, in the United States, NFPA codes dictate how long firefighter equipment can be used and when it needs to be replaced. For good equipment, the reason equipment expires is largely with the thought that within 10 years there are very likely new equipment safety technologies to keep firefighters safe.

Many firefighters in the world don’t have the luxury of new gear every 10 years. Additionally, much of the 10 year old gear is still effective in keeping firefighters safe from fire even if it is not the newest technology. As a result, Africa Fire Mission has partnered with fire departments across the US (and in Germany) to get quality used personal protective equipment to Africa.

In September 2022, AFM had a team visit FCT Fire Service in Abuja, Nigeria. While there, I asked one of the firefighters to allow me to inspect the label of his Turnout Coat. Bold of me, but important to the work that we do to understand the needs of the firefighters. When he a allowed me to look - I was expecting to see a label dated 30 years old based on the PPE I was looking at - instead there was no date and the label said that the garment was actually a “Firefighter Costume” with NO international approvals or rating. Our team educated the firefighters about their current equipment limitations and have been helping to advocate for a public private partnership with the Institute of Human Virology- Nigeria to support training and equipment for the fire service in Nigeria.

We are excited to have the opportunity to send over 300 sets of PPE to the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria. We will load a 20 foot container on August 5, 2023.

We need your help! We have most of the equipment we need for this shipment, but still need about 160 fire helmets! If you know a fire department that has decommissioned fire helmets that are still serviceable, please contact us and we will determine the best way to get the equipment to us in Cincinnati, Ohio.

We also need volunteers to help us load the equipment on August 5th! You can sign up to help by clicking this link:

Africa Fire Mission Supports Fire Service Development with White Papers

Africa Fire Mission Supports Fire Service Development with White Papers

by Nancy L. Moore, LISW-S, LCSW, CPCC, Executive Director and Co-Founder of AFM

It’s hard to believe that Africa Fire Mission has been working in Africa for over a decade. Since 2012, we have been working closely to provide training and consultation to the Fire Service in Africa. While our largest program is in Kenya, we have also worked directly in Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria and Ethiopia. We have provided consultation or equipment in other countries across Africa as well.

As we support the fire service, we continue to look for ways that we can grow our impact. Our next step in supporting the African fire service in developing communities is by providing more advocacy resources that will help leaders in Africa to be able to support a well functioning fire service. In order to support our advocacy efforts, AFM is drafting white papers to help provide quality information for African leaders to support decision making with developing programs, making equipment purchases or accepting used equipment donations.

All too often AFM has seen situations when fire service leaders know what they need and have a hard time articulating the need or justifying the costs of quality programs and equipment to the government officials making the budgetary decisions. Our hope is to provide quality information that is designed to support these advocacy efforts.

Our first white paper is now available and addresses the need for a quality Breathing Apparatus Program. Let us know what you think. More importantly, please utilize the white paper as a tool for advocacy when you need support!

The Value of a Quality Breathing Apparatus Program

The Value of a Quality Breathing Apparatus Program 

Executive Summary 

Firefighters often fight fires in conditions immediately dangerous to health and life. In these circumstances, quality firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) provides firefighters with critical protection that significantly improves firefighting effectiveness while also protecting firefighting personnel’s health and safety.  In particular, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, frequently referred to as Breathing Apparatus (BA), is a critical component of PPE that isolates the firefighters from hot and toxic gases. It is the single most beneficial piece of safety equipment for a firefighter. 

Effective firefighting operations have the essential BA equipment needed to fight fires as well as staff trained in how to use BA equipment and conduct routine maintenance to ensure its proper functioning. 

AFM serving in Ukraine

By Nancy Moore

AFM has been serving in Ukraine with our partners Tavriski Christian Institute (TCI) and the State Emergency Services Ukraine since 2019.  Our team that trained in 2019 remembers standing on the front defense lines from Crimea into Kherson and thinking how frightening war would be in that area. While we trained the firefighter we offered encouragement and connection to spiritual and mental health.

The firefighters in Ukraine are kind, giving, creative and brave. We were offered amazing hospitality while we trained alongside them. Firefighters in Ukraine are tasked with not only fighting fire, but also with disarming/recovering undetonated explosives and with providing psychological first aid to their community. Due to these somewhat unique functions, they were uniquely prepared to serve their community during the war in Ukraine. 

Personally, Dave and I have been connected to Ukraine since the mid-90’s. Our church was providing support to churches and Christians in the post-Soviet era and helped to form TCI. TCI is now fully Ukrainian run and is the only accredited Christian College in Ukraine.   

Located in Kherson, TCI’s staff evacuated their campus on the first day of war and staff were dispersed to various locations to continue serving. As a result of the war, TCI immediately began making plans to modify their ministry to serve the current needs of the country and to help churches serve their communities. TCI has 3 focuses right now: 1) Assist with safe evacuations from dangerous areas in Ukraine (both refugees and internally displaced persons) 2) Support churches financially that are serving their communities with resources especially for food and medical resources 3) Provide spiritual and emotional support. TCI is planning strategically for the current crisis, and is also preparing for the long term needs for humanitarian aid, Christian witness and eventual rebuilding of Ukraine.   

TCI is on the front lines of humanitarian aid for Ukraine and many of AFM’s partners are collaborating to support their efforts. Please be praying for their efforts and for Ukraine: You can sign up for daily prayer updates throughout March through IDES > sign up here

If you are looking for an organization to give financially to support the people of Ukraine – I encourage you to give through TCI’s US forwarding agent sign up here.

Firefighters in Ukraine are serving their community during this war.   Search and Rescue, removing explosives, assisting with community evacuations, fighting fires. I know their community is grateful for their service.

AFM is exploring ways to specifically support the firefighters in Ukraine – now and after the war (Equipment was a need before the war and there is still a need for more equipment).   We are also looking into ways that we can support the firefighter’s psychologically and spiritually.   If you are interested in getting involved with AFM’s efforts to serve firefighters in Ukraine please email info@africafiremission.org and we will get in touch with you!   

Here are some pictures from Ukraine as AFM worked there before the war:

Fire Equipment Arrives in Kirovohrad, Ukraine

On April 24, 2021 a group of volunteers gathered to load a 40’ shipping container full of over 3,500 pieces of firefighting equipment valued at over $1.5 million if new.

The equipment made it’s way across the ocean to Odessa, Ukraine and on August 11, 2021, ceremonial events were held on the occasion of handing over humanitarian aid from Africa Fire Mission to Main Department of the Civil Service of Ukraine in the Kirovohrad Region.

Deputy Chief Vadym Yanishevsky says: “We are extremely grateful to you for this significant contribution to the development of material and technical support of firefighters and rescuers of the region and increase the efficiency of their tasks.  We hope for further close and fruitful cooperation for the benefit of public interests with you.  We wish you and your organization success and prosperity!”

Thank you for partnering with AFM to help make shipment happen! The Personal Protective Equipment will help the firefighters in Ukraine be able to safely and effectively do their jobs! We are looking forward to bringing training to firefighters in Kherson and Kirovohrad region in 2022!

Learn More and Join a Mission >

What's in Your Pockets?

by Chaplain Howard A Cohen, deputy chief (ret.), Bennington Fire Department

 It is very important for us, as firefighters, to be as effective, efficient and fast as possible on the fire ground. One good rule is to never enter the fire ground without a tool in each hand.  The situation will determine whether you grab an axe, halagan bar, thermal imaging camera, rescue rope, flashlight, gas meter or some other tool. Just make sure you have one in each hand.  It’s a waste of precious time if you have to run back to your truck to get a tool.

 Another good rule is to carry small tools like a screwdriver, wire cutter, prying tool, extra chocks, webbing, rope, carabineer, and a knife in the pockets of your turnout gear.  One of my favorite conversation starters when I meet a new firefighter is to ask what they carry in their pockets.  I’m often amazed by what they tell me.

 For me, it was learning the value of multi head screwdriver that persuaded me to pay attention to what I carry in my pockets.  It was late one evening when an air vent on the roof of a nursing home malfunctioned and started filling a wing with smoke.  We needed to ladder the building to access the vent.  No big deal except that it was about 100 yards from our truck to where we needed to get on the roof.  We got the ladder up and clamored up on the roof. We needed to loosen six screws to get the malfunctioning vent off. Alas, no one had a screwdriver on them.  So back to the truck someone had to run.  Fortunately, there was no longer a fire risk because the power was shut off. 

When he returned, the firefighter climbed back up the ladder and onto the roof.  Oh no! He grabbed the wrong kind of screwdriver. Once again, down he went back to the truck, then back up the ladder to us on the roof.  If only one of us was carrying a screwdriver! What should have been a five minute task took thirty minutes!  Ever since, I carry a multi head screwdriver with me. I’m glad to say I’ve used it many times since.

 Here is a very simple, educational and fun “drill”.  Ask one another what they carry in the pockets of their turnout gear.  There is no right or wrong answer.  I guarantee you’ll learn something in the process.

Equipment Needs

Recently I received a message from one of the Fire Chief’s in an area where we serve.   The Fire Department had responded to the scene of a vehicle accident.    It was a terrible accident scene with entrapment and the Fire Chief told me that they were unable to rescue a severely injured person.   He said – “we weren’t able to save her, not because we did not have the knowledge, but because we did not have the equipment and the closest station with equipment was more than an hour and a half away – it was traumatic to have the skills and not be able to save her because we did not have the equipment.”

AFM’s mission to Train, Empower, Support and Encourage firefighters in developing communities continues.   Training is part of our work. Advocating with firefighters in developing communities to procure appropriate equipment is a part or the mission. And providing appropriate equipment is part of that mission.   Right now, AFM is in the process of preparing several shipments of equipment to Africa and Ukraine to help to meet the need for equipment.

We regularly collect Personal Protecting Equipment from Fire Departments across the United States.   Now we need your help to provide specialty equipment.   Some of these items are special to the fire department, others are equipment that can be available in many places. 

Here is a list of equipment we are currently looking for shipments this spring and summer: 

·      Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment

·      ARFF – Personal Protective Equipment

·      Wildland Fire – Personal Protective Equipment

·      Flashlights

·      Incident Tents

·      Generators - power from 40 to 100 kW.

·      Smoke Extrication Fans

·      Rescue Tripods

·      Hand Winches

·      Chainsaws

·      Scene Lighting

·      Axes

·      Ceiling Hooks

·      Halligan Bars

·      Bolt Cutters

·      Forcible Entry Tools

·      Other Firefighter Hand Tools

·      Wildland Firefighting Hand Tools

·      Vehicle Extrication Tools

·      Thermal Imaging Cameras

·      Water Rescue Equipment: 

o   Life Jackets

o   Life Preservers

o   Wetsuits

Items we do not accept:

• Dirty or well worn bunker coats, pants, gloves, boots, helmets, hoods

• SCBA’s

• Fire Apparatus

• Ladders

• Magazines

• Outdated books

• VHS and cassette materials

• Medical Equipment & Supplies (contact our partners at FAME https://www.fameworld.org or Matthew 25 Ministries https://m25m.org to donate)

If you are able to provide any of this equipment please complete this form and we will be in touch with you to determine the best way to get it to our storage locations in Cincinnati, OH.