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Firefighters wear navy blue, fire-resistant clothing with a fire department patch, name tag, and badge while waiting for calls. They may also wear tool belts and carry communication devices. The clothing allows for quick donning of protective gear during emergencies and protection from bodily fluids. Different types of protective gear are worn for different situations, including hazmat incidents and structural or wildland fires.
Station dress refers to a standard uniform worn by firefighters in the station house while awaiting service calls. This attire typically consists of fire resistant, lightweight navy blue shirts and pants. Captains and other veteran firefighters might wear white shirts with brass on the collar to denote rank. Station equipment usually includes a fire department insignia patch, a name tag on the pocket to identify the firefighter, and a badge. Steel-toed, zip-closed boots are a standard style of footwear included as station attire.
In some firefighters, station attire includes a tool belt to allow a firefighter to keep commonly used items close. Typical equipment includes a flashlight, knife, multi-tool, and glass-breaking device. A pager, cell phone, and two-way radio provide quick communication when a service call comes in. Gloves, a cardiopulmonary respirator mask, and a rope might be part of typical station attire.
The light uniform allows a firefighter to quickly don protective gear when called in an emergency. In some regions, firefighters go to medical emergencies as first responders. Station clothing allows them to quickly don outer clothing that blocks bodily fluids that pose a health risk. The outer layer commonly includes a moisture barrier that allows for free movement, yet repels blood borne contaminants. Gloves and visors protect these parts of the body.
Station clothing could be worn under firefighting gear designed to offer protection when rural fires break out. Wildland protective gear releases body heat allowing for easy movement over rough terrain. Boots designed for long hours of hiking over uneven terrain and rocks also protect feet from extreme heat if firefighters walk on ash. Boots commonly include an ankle guard to protect against snake bites. Reflective strips on the uniform make firefighters visible at night to increase safety.
In hazardous material spill incidents, station attire is usually covered by specialized clothing designed for different levels of risk. This protective clothing meets specifications for hazardous materials in liquid, particulate and vapor forms. Depending on the type of chemical or substance, its level of concentration and form, one of several protective suits might be worn, typically with a breathing apparatus to provide fresh oxygen.
For serious fire protection, two types of outerwear suit station wear. Coats, trousers and boots treated with aluminum reflect heat away from firefighters when responding to a fire with intense heat. This type of equipment proves useful in oil or gas fires and plane crashes. A hood and helmet protect the neck and head, and a coated visor reflects heat without obscuring visibility.
Heavy outerwear worn during structural fires consists of three layers of material that offer protection and moisture barriers. The outer shell is flame retardant, while the middle layer protects the skin from contact with chemicals, acids and heat. The internal thermal layer traps air to control the amount of sweat remaining on the skin.
