What is the purpose of a protective hood in fire protection?

A protective hood is designed primarily to protect firefighters and other emergency responders from heat, embers, and debris during firefighting operations. This type of personal protective equipment is crucial because it acts as a barrier against potentially harmful elements that can cause burns or injury. Firefighters often face environments filled with high temperatures and flying debris, especially in structural fires or wildland fires, and the protective hood mitigates these risks.

While the other choices present relevant safety features, they do not align with the primary function of the protective hood. For instance, providing an oxygen supply is typically addressed by a self-contained breathing apparatus, not a hood. Enhancing visibility is usually the role of helmets with visors or face shields, and signaling for help is usually done through radios or signaling devices, rather than a hood. Therefore, the protective hood's main purpose remains focused on the safety and protection from thermal and physical hazards encountered during firefighting operations.