Abstract: In a protective hood having an upper head-covering section, an anterior head-covering section, a posterior head-covering section, and a lower neck-covering and shoulder-covering section, the lower neck-covering and shoulder-covering section differs from each of the other sections in abrasion resistance properties, thermal insulation properties, and moisture barrier properties, or one or two of those properties. Preferably, the lower neck-covering and shoulder-covering section has plural layers, which include an outer abrasion-resistant layer, an intermediate thermally insulative layer, and an inner moisture barrier layer.

Abstract: A protective boot made from a foldable material such as Nomex™ material or Kevlar™ material or, for some applications, such as neoprene has an ankle-covering portion and a foot-covering portion, which has a heel end and a toe end. Near the toe end, the foot-covering portion is foldable onto itself and is fastenable to itself when and where folded onto itself, whereby the foot-covering portion can be adjustably sized. Hook-and-loop fasteners, which are preferred, or other fasteners are used for fastening the foot-covering portion releasably to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any one of plural positions. Hook-and-loop fasteners, if used therefor, enable the foot-covering portion to be releasably fastened to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any position within a range of possible positions. The protective boot has two hook-and-loop straps, each drawn around the protective boot and fastened to itself and to said fastening means.

Abstract: Having shoulder straps that pass over a wearer's shoulders when it is worn, a harness of a type that complies with National Fire Protection Association 1983 Standard 4-3.1.3, is combined with suspenders, which are attached to the shoulder straps and which include front suspenders on each side of the harness and back suspenders on each side of the harness.

Abstract: A garment for a firefighter, a rescue worker, a forestry worker, or another worker having to carry a rope of a given diameter when unstressed, the garment has an expanse of fabric and two elastic bands are fastened, which are spaced from each other. Each band is fastened to the expanse of fabric by a series of spaced rows of stitches, which define a series of sleeves. Each sleeve is defined by an associated portion of the expansive region of the garment and by an associated portion of a respective one of the elastic bands. Each sleeve is adapted elastically to stretch at the associated portion of the respective one of the elastic bands so as snugly to hold two lengths of a rope. Each sleeve is adapted readily to release the lengths held by such sleeve when the rope is pulled from such sleeve. When the garment is equipped with a rope, the rope is arranged in a zig-zag pattern defining a series of loops, each loop having two lengths of the rope and a bight joining the lengths of such loop.

Abstract: A pair of suspenders comprises two comparatively long straps of a given width. Each of the comparatively long straps has a front portion terminating at a front end and a back portion terminating at a back end. The back portions cross each other. Moreover, a comparatively short strap having two opposite ends is affixed at each of the opposite ends to the back portion of each of the comparatively long straps so as to define a loop, which has an overall length that is at least several times greater than the given width of the comparatively long straps. One of the straps defining each of the loops passes through the other loop, whereby the loops enable the pair of suspenders, over a range of shoulder-to-shoulder spacings, to conform automatically to the shoulder-to-shoulder spacing of a wearer. The comparatively long straps are substantially inelastic.

Abstract: A garment, such as a turnout coat for a firefighter, comprises a body, which has a front portion and a back portion, a left sleeve, a right sleeve, and a collar. Each sleeve is sewn in a raglan pattern to an associated gusset, which is sewn to a lower part of front portion of the body, at the front portion of the body, and is sewn in a dolman pattern to the back portion of the body. The collar is sewn to the left and right sleeves and to the front portion of the body. The garment is openable and closeable at the collar and at the gussets.