Personal Safety: Firefighter PPE, SCBA Use, Entry Control and Casualty Rescue
Personal safety questions are practical: what you wear, how you wear the set, and how the entry is controlled.
PPE
Firefighting suit or proximity suit as appropriate, helmet with visor and neck protection, gloves, boots, BA set, personal distress alarm, torch, and where fitted a lifeline and harness. Wear wool or cotton underclothing - synthetics melt into skin. The distress alarm sounds if the wearer stops moving.
SCBA pre-use checks
- Cylinder pressure against the required minimum, whistle test, mask seal and positive pressure, then a buddy check before entry.
- Never remove the facepiece in smoke; work in pairs and stay in physical or visual contact.
- Know your exit route and the guideline before you go in.
Entry control
The entry control point is run by a competent officer with a tally board. Record name, cylinder pressure, time in, expected time out and the task. Call a half-cylinder check, keep a rescue team ready, and order the team out with time to spare - not when the whistle starts.
Casualty rescue
Drag or carry the casualty to fresh air, keep your own mask on until you are in clean air, then remove theirs, give oxygen, start CPR if needed, and treat for shock and hypothermia.
Worked example
A 6 L/200 bar set gives 1,200 litres. Allowing for stress and work, the entry controller sets a 15-minute working limit, logs a half-cylinder check at 100 bar, and calls the team out at the limit even if the fire is not out - the backup team then takes over.
Traps
- Entering alone or without a nominated backup.
- An entry controller who does not write the times down.
- Taking the mask off 'just to check' in a smoke-filled space.