Who may decide to wear a brush jacket in lieu of a turnout coat during overhaul operations?

• A. Company Captain
• B. Fire Chief
• C. CO (Commanding Officer)
• D. Safety Officer

Answer: (C)

On-scene PPE decisions hinge on the person in charge assessing hazards and adjusting protection to fit the task. The Commanding Officer holds the authority to authorize wearing a brush jacket instead of a turnout coat during overhaul if the risk assessment indicates it’s appropriate and the jacket still provides the necessary protection for that phase of the operation. This leadership role ensures safety while allowing enough mobility and reducing heat strain when conditions permit. A Company Captain is a supervisor under the incident command and defers to the CO for on-scene PPE decisions. The Fire Chief sets department-wide policy, not individual on-scene calls. The Safety Officer can advise, but does not unilaterally change PPE without the IC’s approval.