Webinar highlights NFPA’s upcoming changes to firefighter turnout gear and SCBA standards

Understanding the revamped NFPA 1970 standard: Its effects on gear and SCBA purchases

Fire and Safety Journal Americas reports on the upcoming webinar that delves into the modifications the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has proposed for turnout gear and SCBA.

Scheduled to occur on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT, this webinar promises to shed light on how the new consolidated standards will affect fire departments nationwide.

For registration and more details, click here.

Background on NFPA’s standards

The protective gear donned by firefighters adheres to standards set forth by the NFPA.

Through the collaborative efforts of technical committees, the NFPA curates these standards with inputs from the fire service community, gear manufacturers, testing labs, and interested individuals.

The underlying goal: ensure paramount safety while delivering reliable protective products.

The dawn of NFPA 1970

Come late 2024, the NFPA plans to merge the standards for clothing (NFPA 1971), work uniforms (NFPA 1975), SCBA (NFPA 1981), and PASS devices (NFPA 1982) into one cohesive guideline, dubbed NFPA 1970.

Webinar insights: What fire departments need to know about SCBA

Webinar speakers, firefighter experts Jeff Stull and Battalion Chief Matthew Cox, will deep dive into what this consolidated standard means for fire departments.

The topics on the agenda include:

• The mechanisms NFPA employs to fulfill firefighter protective needs.
• The noteworthy modifications in NFPA 1971 and NFPA 1981.
• The broader ramifications these revised standards hold for the fire service community.

Participants can anticipate walking away with:

• A grasp on NFPA’s standard formulation process.
• An understanding of the imminent changes and their impact on future gear and SCBA acquisitions.
• Insight into the adoption and application of this new standard, industry’s reaction, and ways fire departments can prepare for its implications.

Meet the speakers

Battalion Chief Matthew Cox, with a commendable 22-year career in fire service, currently oversees a battalion consisting of five stations and around 60 personnel in the Fairfax County (Virginia) Fire and Rescue Department.

A Virginia Tech alumnus, Chief Cox has actively contributed to numerous committees striving for operational and leadership enhancements within the fire service domain.

On the other hand, Jeff Stull heads International Personnel Protection, Inc., a firm specializing in protective clothing and equipment.

Holding memberships in various NFPA technical committees, Stull has penned numerous articles on protective clothing effectiveness and routinely contributes to FireRescue1 with a PPE-centric column.

FSJA Comment

The unveiling of the new NFPA 1970 standards signifies a pivotal moment for the fire service sector.

Consolidating various standards into one embodies a move toward streamlined guidelines and, potentially, heightened protective measures.

With firefighter safety being paramount, comprehending these changes is crucial for departments, especially when considering gear and SCBA procurements.

By attending this webinar, fire departments equip themselves with knowledge, ensuring they remain at the forefront of safety and preparedness.