In recent years, roughly 50% of on-duty firefighter deaths have been attributed to cardiovascular events. Firefighting can be physically demanding, especially while wearing full PPE. If a firefighter becomes unconscious or experiences cardiac arrest in PPE, it can be challenging to administer CPR.

An additional challenge includes stress and anxiety inherent to the situation. Firefighters are accustomed to rescuing and performing EMS on civilians. However, when one of their own falls, it is like watching a family member in distress. Chaos leads to more chaos.

Because of day-to-day mutual and automatic aid between fire departments across Los Angeles County, it is important that a standardized approach to PPE removal be developed and practiced in the Los Angeles region so all firefighters will be prepared.