Table 4.

Summary of PPE control options and considerations.

PPE control options	Important considerations or need for additional research
Turnout gear manufactured with tighter interfaces around the neck, wrists, waist, and boots	May impact thermal strain and ability to quickly don and doff protective equipment.
Station gear made of long-sleeves and pants versus short-sleeves and/or shorts	May impact thermal strain, comfort, and mobility; although, encapsulating gear is expected to be the dominant factor for heat stress.
Turnout gear that incorporates a zipper versus hook & dee closure	Zippers may not be as durable as hook & dee closures, but they are actually more common in the marketplace today.
Particle blocking hoods	Like all hoods, must seal properly around respiratory facepiece to provide most protection. Particle barrier could make hearing difficult.
Wearing SCBA during all phases of the fire response, including in the fireground, especially in smoky conditions.	Need adequate resources to provide SCBA and air-packs for all impacted personnel. Wearing SCBA is heavy and contributes to physical strain. The SCBA facepiece can impact incident command’s ability to communicate.