Which of the following is NOT a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

The correct answer identifies a piece of equipment that is typically not classified as personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically required in a wildland firefighting context. While safety goggles are indeed protective gear, they are not always mandated for wildland firefighters in the same manner as hard hats, fire boots, and Nomex trousers, which are essential for protecting against specific hazards encountered in the field.

Hard hats are critical for head protection from falling objects, while fire boots provide necessary insulation and traction on uneven, often rugged terrain. Nomex trousers are designed to resist heat and flames, making them vital to firefighter safety. Although safety goggles are important for eye protection in certain environments and tasks, they may not be universally required or specified for every wildland firefighting situation, particularly when compared to the other listed equipment, which serve more fundamental protective roles in high-risk fire scenarios.