What equipment is primarily used by firefighters for personal protection?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for firefighters as it is specifically designed to protect them from the various hazards they face when responding to fires and other emergency situations. This equipment typically includes items such as helmets, turnout jackets, pants, gloves, and boots, all of which are made from materials that can withstand extreme heat, flames, and other dangerous conditions. The primary function of PPE is to ensure the safety and integrity of firefighters' bodies while they perform their duties, allowing them to effectively combat fires and rescue individuals without suffering from burns, injuries, or exposure to toxic substances.

In comparison, fire extinguishers are tools used to suppress small fires, and water hoses are important for delivering water to douse larger blazes, but they do not provide personal protection to firefighters themselves. Fire blankets can aid in covering individuals to protect them from flames or extinguishing small fires, yet they are not a part of standard personal protective equipment specifically designed for firefighters. Therefore, PPE stands out as the most critical equipment for safeguarding the health and safety of those in this demanding profession.