Which statement about the use of a protective hood is correct?

The correct answer emphasizes the importance of proper donning procedures for personal protective equipment in firefighting. When donning the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) face piece, the correct approach is to first place the face piece on the face and secure it, then pull the protective hood up over the face piece. This method ensures that the face piece is sealed properly against the skin, which is critical for maintaining respiratory protection. The hood also provides additional thermal protection for the head and neck, but it should not interfere with the seal of the face piece. Proper sequencing is vital to ensure that firefighters are adequately protected from heat, smoke, and contaminants while on the fire ground.

Following this sequence—applying the face piece before the hood—ensures that the respirator functions optimally, as any obstruction of the seal could compromise the effectiveness of the SCBA.

It is important to note that wearing a helmet with fire-resistive neck or ear flaps does not eliminate the need for the protective hood. The hood serves a distinct purpose of providing additional thermal protection, and while the helmet offers some coverage, it does not replace the need for the hood.

The notion that any method of donning the hood is acceptable overlooks the critical nature of