Hey guys, I recently just joined one of the local volunteer departments in my area. My Bunker pants are a size 40,when im a waist size 30. I know it shouldnt be too tight nor too big. What should I do about it?? and how much is too big?

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thank you so much guys!
Is that not the truth LMAO When I first joined the dept. I was given this old bigbird yellow gear that looked like crap.... (can be seen in my pictures) Now I have newer gear and a nice helmet but the poor guy that runs calls with me has my old coat, a pare of pants that look like they came out of the trash, a helmet that was tuned in for a new one, old style boots, and one medium and one large glove, he is a mess lol
Welcome to the fire service brotherhood Adam! First and foremost stay safe always! As for bunker gear you want a set that is not tight nor too loose as you already stated. You dont want to be in a structure fire and worry about your pants falling down around your ankles. My best guess would be to address that issue with either a training officer in your department or whomever may handle gear in your jurisidiction. I'm sure they can find a set that is a little more close fitting..With bunker pants when you squat down they should not be too tight and no areas of your body or clothing should be exposed! best of luck to you!
well i need help, my department wont give me smaller gear, i asked my officers and they said to eat more,and they said they dont have anything that will fit me when they just gave a new member the same size gear i need,and they wont replace my broken suspenders, im thinking about joining a department thats closer,and that will sign me up for fire school and give me gear that fits, i need some help from you guys!
You may have hit the nail on the head. You probably should be on the closest department and they may feel you will go there as soon as you can. Iwould go there now if you can.
what do you mean by hit the nail on the head?
Thank you Billy, I already thought about leaving once,thats why they didnt sign me up because they thought i left when i never officially resigned/ turned my pager in.
Adam if you're not with your nearest VFD you're not as much help as you could be response wise. Since the nearest VFD is willing to issue you gear that fits and send you to formal fire training that might be your best bet for all concerned. Good luck and TCSS
Eat more. LOL Most firefighters gain weight over time. Too tight sucks worse.
Trade with someone who has gear that is too tight.
Mention it at your business meetings - someone may offer to trade with you.
Suspenders cover lots of pant sins.
Length is much more important than waist.
Feeling Rich? buy your own new set of gear - approved by your equipment officer.
Some departments only replace gear once a decade.
Often seasoned members get new gear, new members get hand-me-down older gear.
Go to your local VFD and help out your community.
Many Many Many young people don't stick around long enough to still be on the department at age 18 or don't stick around long enough to finish fire fighter training and become full rank fireifghters. So the departments are not likely to provide good gear to them, unless they have extra in a back closet, until you become a full firefighter on their department - no matter what department you are on.

I was reading a few more of the posts - you are very young. You need to be very careful making demands on departments - any departments - if you do not have a full rank on the department - it can turn them off from mentoring you and seeking to make you a full member of their department. And it increases the attitudes towards young people that they are whiny, arrogant, demanding know-it-alls. Watch and learn instead of demand.

Several of the other guys make EXCELLENT POINTS - most departments won't allow you on a truck or on a fire scene if you are less than 18 years old. Many departments won't even give you any gear until you turn age 18.

Be cautious with a department that is permitting you to be in dangerous situations as a minor. It does not serve you in the long run, and may end up in your injury or death - you want your department to hyper-protect you and teach you safety. The gear problem is just one example of them protecting you and providing you with proper education and safety - sufficiently or insufficiently.

Red flags are flying all around your situation. Be cautious. Tread lightly. And slow down - working in the fire service is a marathon, not a sprint. It sounds like, right now, you are just in the training for the marathon stage - not actually in it yet.
Make sure your equipment officer will let you trade out. Since the equipment belongs to the department - not you. Also, some departments have poor gear compared to others and some smaller departments may still have gear that is not NFPA approved anymore for use.

All turnouts are not created equal. Some old gear is no longer labeled as safe for use.

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