NEW YORK - New York City's fire department will replace its new fire-retardant gloves after six firefighters using them suffered hand burns.

The Blaze Fighter model gloves are being used by half of the department's firefighters.

The FDNY purchased them in September after a test trial.

The New York Times says that after the six firefighters suffered burns, the FDNY conducted an independent analysis of the gloves. It found the manufacturer, Glove Corp., had changed one of the materials, making the gloves non-compliant with national fire protection standards.

The Times says Glove Corp issued an advisory last month noting it had encountered problems with the glove's performance.

The Times says a woman who answered the phone at the company said it had closed as of Jan. 31. She did not provide details.

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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com

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Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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In 1984 when I attended the National Fire Academy, I had the opportunity to get to know a couple of NYFD firefighters. I was surprised to find out that in 1984, it had not been that long since the attitude that only pussies wore gloves prevailed. Times do change, even for departments locked into tradition. And now the department purchases gloves...

What is very sad about this incident is that someone cut corners at the expense of firefighters and actually thought they could get away with it, at the firefighters' expense.
What is very sad about this incident is that someone cut corners at the expense of firefighters and actually thought they could get away with it, at the firefighters' expense.

Unfortunately this is seen too much.....let's buy the cheap stuff, despite if there is a lack in quality, just because we want to "save costs", yet ironically the cost of injuries, work comp, possible lawsuits and so forth never seem to come to mind.
Interesting thought on this as new manufacturers can make anything they want and their can be a market for it today. NFPA compliancy has some advantages. I brought this up recently with someone making a multi purpose tool and no 3rd party testing/research/compliancy.

I am wondering if FDNY will sue the glove company though, seeing the helmets they issue are also non-NFPA compliant. (New Yorker)
If they don't sue by god they should.I think the gloves we use are like $59 a pair and their called Fire Guard or something like that.They seem to do pretty good though I've never actually laid my hand in fire with them I've mostly just grabbed hot stuff like metal wood and what have you and threw it out of the way.But any way they should definately sue the glove company.If the company don't do it then the 6 fire fighters with the injuries should sue them.
Maker That Sold Gloves to Fire Dept. Closes Plant
The manufacturer that sold the New York City Fire Department $800,000 worth of flawed fire-retardant gloves sent word to its workers and others this week that it was closing its plant, in Arkansas, officials said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/05/nyregion/05gloves.html?partner=rs...
The Glove Corps should be made to repay every penny, plus damages.
It's about time this sort of shit stopped.
ruger, check the lot # on your glove labels against the lot #'s affected by the safety notice (go to "the glove corp" web-site). If your gloves are covered by the notice then the safe choice is to take them out of service. You might consider to retire them for extrication or other non-fire fighting activity.
The FDNY issues a Cairns 1010 helmet. NFPA compliant.
Actually, they are now issuing the Morning Pride Ben ll Plus. Still NFPA though
The Morning Pride I had was heavier and sat really high. Personally I like the Cairns 880, smaller back. Are they still aloud to buy the leathers? I haven't talked to anyone in a while.
I have a pair of Paul Conway gloves and they are made by the Glove Corp. I love these gloves and last fought fire with them on Friday. Today, I checked the PC website and they are recommending users take them out of service until they can determine if they are NFPA compliant given the recall on the other Glove recall. So if anyone else has the Paul Conways put them up in your gear locker (at least for now...)

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