Firefighting Equipment and Gear (Zaragoza Fire Museum)

In the next room of the basement, there is a collection of equipment. The first protective gear for firefighters is a hard hat. It is also a source of pride and a symbol of their heroic profession.

Today, firefighter helmets are strictly functional. In the past, each fire department had its own hard hat adorned with the city's coat of arms or the emblem of the department.

Respiratory protection from combustion products is an essential element of a firefighter's equipment. Initially, simple bags with goggles made of astex fabric were used, followed by respirators, and at one point, army gas masks with activated carbon filters were employed. However, in the first half of the twentieth century, gas masks specifically designed for firefighters were developed.

However, filtering devices do not always save the day. In conditions of heavy smoke and the presence of hazardous chemicals, a person needs an autonomous source of air - an oxygen isolating gas mask. This device operates in the same way as an aqualag, providing a firefighter with a long-term stay in a deadly atmosphere.

In addition to protective equipment, firefighters' arsenal includes a wide variety of tools used to access the fire, from classic ladders and axes to hydraulic shears capable of cutting through steel structures.

Modern firefighters are essentially multifunctional rescuers who have the equipment and skills to work in any environment, including in the mountains and underwater.

On December 15, 1971, a bus carrying 52 passengers lost control on the Stone Bridge in Zaragoza and fell 12 meters into the Ebro River. Firefighters who arrived at the scene managed to rescue 42 people.

In the courtyard and the history hall of the Zaragoza Fire Department, there are samples of Spanish firefighters' equipment from the early 20th century to the present day.

Modern suits: chemical protection and heat-reflecting suit for high temperature operation.

In memory of visiting the museum, you can take a picture in a jacket and helmet of a modern firefighter.