04/10/2026
Let’s talk about “masking up”…
👨🚒 Putting a mask on your face - sounds easy, right? For a firefighter, it’s not that simple and seconds count. Being able to mask up quickly and effectively is critical for both us and victims. Our mask and our SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) are what allow us to breathe inside of a structure filled with smoke, or other hazardous gasses and toxins. Those bottles we wear on our back are filled with breathing air and pressurized to 4500 psi, allowing us significant time inside a structure to locate trapped victims, fight fire and get to work!
⏰ Firefighters must be able to precisely don their face piece, ensure a good seal around their face and do it in a specific order with their other PPE (helmet, hood, gloves, etc). Local 3649 members are held to a standard of being able to mask up and go “on air” in 30 seconds or less. We are proud that the majority of our members take it upon themselves to maintain a higher standard, with many of their mask up times being sub-15 seconds and a select few studs will do it in sub-10 seconds.
🔥 What’s the difference in just a few seconds? Life. Conditions inside a structure fire can change in a matter of seconds, and so can the sustainability and expectancy of any victims inside. The seconds it takes for a firefighter to mask up matter in these situations. Our members understand the expectation of them being able to save a life that would be otherwise lost, and they take pride in rising above the minimum standards and shaving off seconds when seconds are the difference between life and death!
