From basic cotton or wool clothing to standardized fire-resistant gear made from fabrics such as Nomex or Kevlar blends, wildland firefighters have experienced drastic changes in PPE over the last 139 years since the first wildfire control program was established in 1885. Often called forest rangers or fire wardens, wildland firefighters originally wore basic cotton or wool clothing, hats with wide brims to shield their face and neck, sturdy leather boots, and pants made of canvas or denim worn for durability against brush. Since then, wildland firefighting gear has evolved significantly with advancements in materials and equipment designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of wildland firefighting. What influenced these advancements?
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NFPA 1977
NFPA 1977, the standard on protective clothing and equipment for wildland firefighting and urban interface firefighting, was officially implemented in 1993. Created to combat heat stress and help ensure that wildland fire fighting gear consistently meets a set of minimum performance requirements, this certification was the first to specifically address wildland firefighters.
Fabrics such as Nomex, Advance, Tecasafe Plus, Sigma, and Pioneer have all been developed and manufactured not only to meet NFPA 1977 requirements but also to protect the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect their communities.
NOT A SIMPLE PROCESS
NFPA 1977 certification requires many stages of testing on each piece of clothing or gear being certified. Depending on the clothing or gear, there are over 40 different possible tests the product must undergo. Testing measures can include a radiant protective performance test (RPP), a flame resistance test, a heat and thermal shrinkage-resistant test, a thread melting test, and many more standardized tests.
The testing doesn't end there. Each NFPA 1977-certified piece of clothing or gear a manufacturer supplies must be sent in for inspection and recertification every year. This ensures that as a wildland firefighter, you're equipped with reliable gear that will protect you every time you step on the fireline.
IS YOUR GEAR COMPLIANT WITH THE LATEST NFPA 1977 STANDARDS?
On every NFPA 1977 certified piece of clothing or PPE, is a label stating the garment or equipment meets NFPA 1977 standards. Wildland gear should be inspected annually to ensure that your gear is up to the most recent NFPA 1977 certification standards, as well as make sure the gear is in good condition and safe for use on the fireline. Over time, exposure to heat, flames, smoke, abrasion, and other environmental factors can cause the materials in wildland gear to become worn and less effective.
Deciding when to replace your wildland PPE can be a difficult decision and depends on many factors, including how old the gear is, how often the gear is used in fire season, and if the clothing is being maintained and the user is following the manufacturer's product care guidelines.
NEED REPLACEMENT GEAR? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.
National Fire Fighter Corp. has a wide selection of NFPA 1977-certified gear and PPE to equip you this season. From brush pants and shirts to fire helmets and face protection, we provide the gear necessary to keep you safe on the line. Whether you need to replace your current gear or want to know what's new in the wildland industry, browse our website today or call NFFC at 800-423-8347.
Preparing For Wildfire Season with NFFC
The National Fire Fighter Corporation helps provide wildland firefighters with the products they need to protect themselves, their communities, and their property from the devastating effects of fire. NFFC is a trusted source for quality, reliable firefighting gear to help effectively extinguish fires, stay protected, and minimize injury. With innovative designs, and high-quality, durable materials, NFFC wildland fire equipment and products help keep the brave men and women fighting fires safe when things get hot.