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Going to less heavy structural Fire Fighting gear
I talked to a salesman from a fire equipment supply company not to long ago about ordering new gear. He informed me that a lot of departments are going to less heavy structural fire fighting gear. The reasoning behind this was that car wrecks, EMS and service calls are becoming the majority of our calls and that house fires are not as common any more. Are Department has not switched to anything lighter yet and ive not met anybody with lighter gear around are area. So I guess my question would be has your department swtich to less heavy gear, what was your reasoning and some of the pros and cons to lighter gear VS Heavier gear
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
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As someone who sells fire/rescue equipment. I will tell you flat out, that I will not sell you something that I will not use myself. I have turned people away and had them go elsewhere so that I did not sell them a piece of crap. Do your research and compare products. If I tell you a piece of gear is crap, I have actually messed with it and it is crap. If I tell you it is a great piece of gear, the same applies. I do not go by what the manufacturers or sales reps tell me. If you want to get the best thing out there, you need to do the comparisons and demos yourself.
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Permalink Reply by andrew shapiro on
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Lots of good responses here. Seems to be lots of concerns about sacrificing thermal protection in structural fire situations when comparing light vs heavy PPE.
I don't see "protection" as always and only equalling thermal properties. It would seem that the flexibility, breathability, dexterity, fit etc. of your PPE would be factored in to the "protection" equation as well in order to get a more precise overall picture.
In that case I think lighter vs. heavier is an oversimplification. As one reader properly suggests, do your homework and evaluate as many choices as possible to determine the overall range of features that maximizes your protection and performance as it relates to YOUR missions.
It is true (in the lab at least) that pure Thermal Protective Properties usually have a direct correlation to the weight of fabric layers used in PPE. However, the design and construction of the garment or glove also is a factor with regards to overall protection. Some products are better at specifically reinforcing the known vulnerable areas which means weight alone is not the only vital consideration for overall protection.
Also, with the many different fire retardent yarns now used, the different fabric constructions available and different layering schemes employed, heavier vs. lighter is not necessarily a cut and dry consideration for evaluating thermal protection or overall protection.
Beyond thermal injuries, sprains and strains, injury from falls, cuts and puncture etc all are to be considered as well. In that case heavy vs. light again appears to be an oversimplification when taking a first glance comparison of protective properties. Look harder...
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Permalink Reply by Fabulous Heather Days of Summer on
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If you go in nekkid - you will feel the fire more quickly... and not want to stay as long too.
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Permalink Reply by Station10Capt106 on
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pictures?
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Permalink Reply by George Teed on
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A couple of years ago we acquired new gear through a FEMA grant. We tried gear from different manufactures. PBI ,Quaker and Globe to name a few. The new gear is lighter and more comfortable. We settled on the Globe Extreme and so far I am quite impressed with it. With the new materials it seems cooler on hot days and keeps ya just as warm on the extreme cold days. As some previous poster have said research
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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There is no one set of gear that is the best choice for every possible incident.
If you need protection from structure fires, then get gear that protects you from those hazards.
If you need lighter gear with flash protection, bloodborne pathogens protection, and cut/abrasion protection, for EMS, technical rescue, extrication, and brush fire calls, then get gear that protects you from those hazards.
If you do both, get both.
Trying to have one set of gear that does both is like trying to have one set of PPE that works for playing both football and baseball.
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Permalink Reply by Sparky3317 on
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I know a few firefighters who wear Bristol bunker gear and they say it is like wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt and gives them the same protection and is covered by the NFPA standards.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Moyer on
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We just purchased Bristol fire gear for our guys. Some went to a training fire today and said it worked great. But today was warm here. Waiting for winter to see what its like. The verdicts still out on that. We get about 120" of snow a year up here by Lake Erie. But it is about half the weight of my old Globe Extreme.
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you will have to come get them in the emergency room - where "feeling the fire" has sent me...
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