An official website of the United States government
Public Safety and First Responders
Public safety and first responder communities face many hazards and use personal protective equipment to protect their workforces. Respirators help protect against exposure to toxic atmospheres or harmful levels of particulates, chemicals, biological agents, and other contaminants. These resources provide information to help select proper respiratory protection for different exposures.
NIOSH Programs
NIOSH Public Safety Program
This webpage provides an overview of the program’s efforts to protect public safety workers.
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
This webpage provides an overview of the program’s independent investigations of fire fighter line-of-duty deaths.
Safety and Health Advisories
Personal Protective Equipment Recommendations for Response to Chemical Suicide Incidents
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2023-139 (Revised 09/2023)
Training on the Rapid Removal of an Unresponsive Firefighter from Turnout Gear and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2024-104
Safety and Health Considerations for Junior Firefighters
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2024-114
Other NIOSH Resource and Topic Pages
The pages below provide research topics, resources, or publications on the specific topic.
Fire Service
Law Enforcement
Corrections
Emergency Medical Services
Wildland Firefighting
Wildfire Smoke
NIOSH Science Blogs
These links provide a collection of blogs on the specific topic.
Law Enforcement
Fire fighting
NIOSH Program
Emergency Preparedness and Response Program
This page provides an overview of NIOSH research and activities conducted to respond to emergency responses.
Other NIOSH Resource and Topic Pages
The pages below provide research topics, resources, or publications on the specific topic.
Resources for Emergency Responders
Preventing Emergency Responders’ Exposures to Illicit Drugs
Searchable Databases
Emergency Response Safety and Health Database
The database contains information on chemical, biological, and radiological agents that workers may encounter when responding to terrorist events.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
This guide provides general industrial hygiene information for hundreds of chemicals. It offers key facts and helps users recognize and control workplace chemical hazards.
Publications and Products
Protecting Emergency Responders Volumes 1-4
These reports present a summary of research, training, and personal protective equipment needed to protect emergency responders during terrorist attacks.