Dräger’s fire escape hood adopted by UK fire service

The London Fire Brigade will carry the Dräger PARAT 5550 fire escape hoods to protect trapped and injured people from toxic smoke during fire evacuations, with around 600 hoods being rolled out across 102 fire stations in London over the next few months. Eventually all fire brigades across the UK and Ireland will carry them. The PARAT 5550 comes ready to use in a flame-retardant holster that can be carried without restricting freedom of movement of the firefighter, and offers protection from toxic fire-related gases, particles and vapours for a no less than 15 minutes.
Richard Mills, Assistant Commissioner at the London Fire Brigade said: “Smoke from fires is extremely toxic and can render people unconscious within a few breaths. These hoods filter out four of the most dangerous gases, including what we call the ‘toxic twins’ of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Rather than having to carry out every rescue as fast as possible, fire escape hoods will provide firefighters with vital extra time to consider their priorities and plan the safest exit route. We’ve worked closely with the Fire Brigades Union to introduce these fire escape hoods as part of firefighting kit.”