Where is my firefighter's hood?

This firefighter is wearing the incorrect personal protective hood as part of his firefighter ensemble (FFE). The currently authorized firefighter hood to be worn with the FFE is beige, not gray.

The gray, GQ anti-flash hood is to be worn with blue coveralls and anti-flash gloves as part of shipboard gear donned during GQ. The new firefighter's hood can be identified by its large flared bib and gold color (similar to the color of the firefighter's suit). The newer hood is manufactured with a two-layer knit material, the outer layer being high-temperature resistant, polybenzimidaxazole (PBI) and kevlar, with the inner made of PBI and flame-resistant rayon. It is more durable, is longer for better neck and shoulder protection and has a larger face opening to accommodate the SCBA/OBA facemask.

The firefighter hood is slowly replacing existing anti-flash hoods currently worn with the FFE. The new hood is certified by the National Fire Protection Association and by Underwriters' Laboratory (UL).

The hood also eliminates the need for firefighters wearing an SCBA or OBA to wear two anti-flash hoods under their FFE. Only one firefighting hood should be worn for firefighters wearing the FFE. Existing anti-flash hoods still can be worn for GQ and firefighting until stocks are depleted.

The new FF hood is being phased into the supply system. Meanwhile, it has a Navy stock number, 8415-01-462-7670 and also carries assigned acquisition advice code "L" authorizing local purchase. You can obtain the firefighting hoods from any of the following authorized manufacturers:

Fire Brigade Mfg., Inc.

P.O. Box 3571

Shawnee, Okla. 74802-3571

1-800-352-0126

Style No. FB 227 PBI Gold (Cost $33.00)

Majestic Fire Apparel, Inc.

P.O. Box 248

Leighton, Penn. 18235-0248

610-377-6273

Style No. PAC IX (Cost $32.00)

Life Liners, Inc.

10 Park Place

Morristown, N.J. 07960

973-829-0642

Style No. PK9790ES (Cost $32.00)

COPYRIGHT 2003 U.S. Navy Safety Center
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group