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Protecting Our Heroes

To do their jobs and keep us safe, these heroes rely on personal protective equipment made with innovative high-performance plastics.

Protecting Our Heroes: A Tribute to Safety and Innovation

Find Out More About Our Heroes

Routinely putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us and our loved ones, our heroes have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Learn more about their heroic feats and how advanced plastic safety gear helps bring them home safely and make their achievements possible.

Linda Cox

Bomb Technician, Texas

As an Air Force bomb technician, Linda traveled the world protecting both military personnel and civilians by detecting and disarming bombs—and protective plastic gear played a big role. Retired from active duty, she continues to serve as a contractual technician, cleaning up munitions going back to WWI.

Linda depends on specialized goggles made with tough, transparent plastics that help prevent eye injuries while still helping her see clearly in difficult conditions. Her boots are made with tough plastic composites that help protect her feet in case of an unforeseen incident.

One of Linda’s most important tools is a mine detector that locates explosives using magnetic sensors. This vital device is made with durable plastics, which eliminates the interference of magnetic materials and allows Linda to locate and safely detonate unexploded ordnances.

Thanks to Linda’s skill and bravery, and the special properties of plastics, she has been able to help save countless lives all over the world.

Mike McMillan

Smokejumper, Idaho

As a smokejumper, Mike parachuted into remote locations to fight wildfires, which helped prevent fire from spreading to other locations and populated areas. He relied on a variety of plastic gear for personal protection and to help him access the fire. The gear was durable and lightweight which helped him stay agile in dangerous and unpredictable environments.

Mike’s lightweight plastic fabric parachute helped him reach his target location. His jumpsuit, made with the same plastics as many bullet-resistant vests for military personnel, helped protect him from abrasions upon landing. And his tough plastic helmet reduced the chance of head injury.

With the help of personal protective equipment made with plastics, Mike was better able to protect himself and do his job—so he could help keep others safe.

Jason Britt

Firefighter and Search and Rescue Specialist, North Carolina

Since Jason was just 12 years old, he knew his calling was to rescue victims in dangerous situations, such as fires, raging rapids, and structural collapses. Now, as a firefighter and search and rescue specialist, he does just that—aided by his plastic protective equipment that helps him stay safe so he can help those in need.

During Hurricane Matthew (2016), Jason relied on a full-body “dry suit” made with layers of high-performance, water-resistant yet breathable plastics that also provided insulation. In his efforts to save those stranded by the storm, Jason spent hours in and out of contaminated, rapidly rising floodwaters over many days, and his dry suit and special training allowed him to rescue people and take them to safety.

If Jason is not safe, he can’t save others. Simply put, his plastic dry suit helps make it possible for him to do his job.

Milestones in Safety Gear

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Safety evacuation slide

Today we can gain some peace of mind knowing our plane is equipped with an inflatable plastic evacuation slide in case of an emergency—but that wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until the 1950s that aircraft makers began installing this essential piece of safety equipment, made primarily with nylon plastic fabrics. These durable, water-resistant slides can help stranded airplane passengers evacuate when needed, on land or water.

Car seat belts

Although seat belts are nearly as old as autos themselves, it wasn’t until the mid-1950s that carmakers began installing these primary safety devices in U.S. cars. The first belts were made from tightly woven nylon plastic that was affordable, very strong, and reasonably flexible. In the early 1970s, when federal regulators mandated three-point seat belts, carmakers moved to another plastic: industrial strength polyester, which made the belts lighter and more comfortable.

Hard hats

From miners to construction workers to electricians, workers have relied on protective helmets for decades. But this key piece of personal protective equipment has evolved since its early days, when it often was made with padded felt—and later, metal. In the mid 20th century, manufacturers began making hard hats with tough, lightweight, non-conductive plastics, plus cushioning foams that absorb impact, helping protect our workers from debris as well as electrical currents.

Car airbags

Airbags in our cars and trucks have been saving loved ones for decades—a critical safety feature made possible by plastics. Airbags typically are made with a combination of tough but flexible polyester and nylon plastics that inflate from multiple locations—in milliseconds—and then quickly deflate. Innovations in plastics may lead to even more advanced life-saving designs.

Life preserver

Technicians have experimented with various materials for life preservers for centuries, but getting the right combination of water-resistance and buoyancy was always tricky. But around the 1970s, manufacturers began making life preservers with advanced, lightweight plastic foams that offer a high level of performance for hours of use in wet conditions. These plastics have made today’s life preservers a vital tool for our water rescue heroes.

Firefighter turnout gear

Not too long ago, our firefighters had to face the flames in gear that wasn’t exactly heat-resistant. Fortunately, turnout gear (firefighters’ personal protective equipment) has advanced: for about half a century, manufacturers have taken advantage of flame-resistant plastic fabrics and materials that can stand up to extreme temperatures while keeping our fire fighters insulated from extensive heat and water. Some of today’s turnout gear can withstand temperatures up to 1,200 degrees.

Bullet-resistant vest

We have developed many forms of body protective gear over the centuries—fortunately, today’s military and police don’t have to use medieval suits of armor. Since the mid-1970s, security forces have taken advantage of high-performance plastic fabrics that are lightweight and comfortable—and tough enough to slow or stop a bullet, helping save the lives of those who protect us.

Avalanche airbag

While an “avalanche airbag” may not be familiar to everyone, it’s become an essential safety tool for many winter sports enthusiasts—and those who would rescue them. Invented in the 1980s, the airbag consists of a backpack containing a large, durable plastic bag that can rapidly inflate in an avalanche. The airbag helps prevent avalanche victims from being buried in snow and makes them more visible to rescue personnel—potentially saving lives.

Cut-resistant safety gloves

Factory workers have long faced a high risk of injury to their hands when working with heavy machinery, even with protective gloves made from leather and other materials. But in the 1980s, a new generation of high-performance plastic fabrics offered advanced protective properties, such as heat and puncture resistance. Safety gloves made with these high-tech plastics can prevent a number of burns, cuts, and abrasions, helping protect us on the job.

Safety goggles

Working at a hazardous job site can require high-quality protective eyewear. While safety goggle performance steadily improved throughout the 20th century, it wasn’t until the 1990s that eye safety took a giant leap forward. To meet new safety requirements, most goggle makers turned predominately to lightweight, shatter-resistant polycarbonate plastics—the same used in “bulletproof” glass—to help protect our workers’ eyes while giving them a clear view under many challenging conditions.

Composite-toe boots

About a century ago, increased attention to workplace safety led to boots reinforced with protective materials, such as steel. More recently, innovative new materials such as plastic composites have become materials of choice for protective work boots. These advanced materials are tough and strong yet lightweight, which helps keep our workers’ feet and toes safer and more comfortable.

Rodney Taylor

Fire/Arson Investigator and Canine Handler, Washington, D.C.

Once the fire’s been put out, Rodney’s work begins. He ventures into the charred remains of buildings to determine how the fire started—a risky job, even with his plastic protective gear.

Building materials are weakened by fire and water, so Rodney has to watch out for collapsing walls, ceilings, and other structures. While investigating a fire in a building’s basement, a heavy block of drywall fell from the ceiling and landed on his durable plastic firefighter’s helmet. Rodney was shaken—but totally uninjured. He’s gone on to help countless people by investigating approximately 2,500 fires.

Bailey McDade

Wildland Firefighter, Arizona

When wildfires strike, most nearby residents evacuate—but Bailey actually hikes toward the flames. Her job is to extinguish fires before they threaten nearby communities.

To do that job, Bailey depends on a wide range of gear made with plastics, from her protective hard hat to her “bladder bag” filled with water to douse the fire. And when she’s face-to-face with the flames—close enough to feel the heat on her face and in her lungs—her pants, shirt, and face shroud made with flame-resistant plastic fabrics help keep her protected.

Valene Bartmess

Registered Nurse, Oklahoma

When the 2015 Ebola outbreak struck, Valene knew she had to help. She cared for victims in Liberia, thanks to a protective plastic suit that enabled her to contact infected people shielding her from risks to her own health.

Before Valene entered a patient’s room, a partner helped her put on the suit, which consisted of a plastic mask, goggles, hood, coverall, apron, two layers of gloves, and boots, plus plastic tape to seal the wrists and ankles. This equipment enabled Valene to help countless Ebola patients … then return home healthy to continue her nursing work in Oklahoma.

Danny Lovato

Firefighter, Washington, D.C.

As a 10-year veteran firefighter, Danny has performed his share of daring rescues, and plastics have helped protect him nearly every step of the way.

In one particularly serious fire, a great-grandmother was trapped in a burning building. Danny rushed in, protected by his helmet, composite-toe boots, and fire-resistant coat and pants, all made with plastics. When Danny reached the woman, he fitted her with his plastic oxygen mask, which enabled her to breathe in the smoke-filled room. Danny carried the woman to safety, suffering smoke inhalation but no burns—thanks to his plastic protective equipment… and a lot of courage.

Jane Larkindale

Southern Arizona Rescue Association Rescuer, Arizona

As a mountain rescue technician, Jane helps people who run into trouble while exploring the outdoors, and plastics help her go above and beyond the call of duty.

Recently, a group of people became stranded in the middle of a quickly rising river. Rescuers were able to retrieve some by helicopter, but to reach the others Jane had to climb down a rocky, 100-foot cliff. Protected by her tough plastic helmet and goggles, Jane used her heavy-duty woven-plastic climbing ropes and shatter-resistant headlamp to make her way down the cliff to rescue the hikers and pull them to safety.

Derek Vigil

Police Officer and Former Marine, Oklahoma

As a former Marine and now a police officer, Derek is no stranger to dangerous situations… or to plastic safety gear that helps protect him.

While Derek was in Iraq, an IED exploded in his path. The blast was so powerful that it created a 12-foot crater and threw Derek about seven feet. But even though shards of shrapnel were embedded in Derek’s plastic goggles and bullet-resistant vest, he was unharmed. He credits his plastic safety gear with saving his life that day.

Doug Mendlick

Firefighter/Paramedic for the Glenside Fire Protection District, Illinois

As a firefighter, Doug has found himself in plenty of hazardous situations. But even though his job has its dangers, he knows that plastic safety gear has his back.

For example, during a firefight, an eight-pound ax fell five stories and hit Doug in the head. Remarkably, Doug survived, and he’s certain that his fire helmet—made with tough, impact-resistant plastics on the outside and cushioning foam plastics on the inside—saved his life. Doug recently became the father of a baby girl, and he says he’d never have met her if it weren’t for his plastic helmet.

Shelley Littin

EMT, Mountain Rescue Technician, Arizona

When raging rapids make a water rescue as perilous for the rescuer as for the victims, Shelley knows she can handle it—thanks to her plastic rescue equipment.

After monsoon rains stranded a group of hikers in a flooded canyon, Shelley donned her plastic helmet to help protect her from head injuries during her steep hike down to the water level. She then waited downstream with a plastic flotation device, or “throw bag,” ready to take action if any of the stranded hikers were pulled into the rapids. Thanks in part to Shelley’s bravery and these plastic tools, the hikers were rescued safely.

Joshua McQuien

Former Police Officer, Georgia

When Joshua was investigating a burglary, he had the sort of terrifying experience that every police officer dreads: he was shot in the chest by a suspect. Fortunately, Joshua was wearing a bullet-resistant vest made with tough plastic fibers. The vest stopped the bullet, and the suspect is presently awaiting trial.

Joshua is now retired, but he still devotes his life to helping others, working with a nonprofit that renovates homes for veterans. He loves spending time with his four daughters, and he keeps in touch with the officers who were with him the night his plastic-based vest helped save his life.

Explore the "Protecting Our Heroes" Exhibit Photo Gallery

Visitors to our traveling exhibit discovered our heroes' stories, learned about their amazing acts of bravery, and even tried on some advanced plastic protective equipment.