Effectiveness of personal protective equipment against thermal risks in airport fires within the Coronel Edmundo Carvajal Airport

Abstract

This scientific article evaluated the effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) against thermal risks in airport fires, taking the Coronel Edmundo Carvajal Airport as a case study. Through a qualitative analysis that integrated a documentary review of international regulations (NFPA, ICAO) and an evaluation of local operational protocols, it was identified that the protection of the aeronautical firefighter does not depend solely on the technical performance of the material, but on an integral system that encompasses four interconnected pillars: the technical performance of the PPE according to standards such as NFPA 1971, rigorous organizational management, with predictive maintenance and digital traceability of the equipment's life cycle, human competence, supported by continuous and realistic training that manages physiological thermal stress, and adaptability to emerging risks, such as fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and new extinguishing agents. The findings demonstrate that optimizing maintenance and training processes, even in resource-limited contexts, has a greater impact on safety than simply acquiring technology. It is concluded that ensuring the effectiveness of PPE requires a strategic and balanced investment that prioritizes the sustainability of management systems and the training of human capital, adopting a holistic vision where equipment, procedures, and people mutually reinforce each other to build a truly resilient emergency response.