Which equipment is essential for firefighters to wear for personal safety?

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is essential for firefighters' personal safety because it provides them with a reliable supply of breathable air in environments where the atmosphere may be toxic, oxygen-deficient, or otherwise hazardous. Firefighters often enter situations with smoke, flames, and other harmful gases that can impair their ability to breathe. The SCBA allows them to perform their duties effectively without succumbing to these dangers, ensuring both their safety and their ability to rescue others in emergencies.

The other options do not fully address the critical respiratory protection required in firefighting scenarios. Uniform shirts, while part of a firefighter's gear, do not provide necessary safety features. Personal flotation devices are important in water rescue situations but are not used in typical firefighting operations. Non-slip boots are useful for improving footing but do not offer the respiratory protection that SCBA provides. Thus, SCBA stands out as the fundamental piece of equipment required for personal safety during firefighting operations.