Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kimberly A Bownas on March 14, 2009 at 8:31am

Brad, I have brand new gear as well and I am glad that I got it. It has been a long time coming for the new gear. I have had this gear for about a year, maybe more I lose track of when I get this type of stuff. Any way, my gear still looks like brand new. I was in away at training and took a survival class, I was asked by the rest of the girls when I got my gear cause it was so clean. Believe me it wasn't clean for long after crawling around on the floor and breaking through walls and all. There is nothing wrong with having clean gear, it is better anyway. It will not look so new in time, don't rush it to much so that you don't end up with nasty stuff on your gear that really shouldn't be there. It will get that old look to it in time....

Permalink Reply by Bobby King on March 14, 2009 at 8:35am

Why would you want to do that to your gear? More important why do you care what others think? Do you think that the person your helping is going to care what your gear looks like?
The " aged" look is just that.. aged. The more fires you make the more runs you make the more your gear will lose that fresh out of the box look. Intentionally damaging Your gear like that is going to put yourself in harms way bro.
Just a thought
Sgt. Bobby J King

Permalink Reply by Chris Sterling on March 14, 2009 at 8:37am

Well Brad, You could go out back to the ole burn barrel, drop it in, and rub it around till the desired effect is met, or just wear it to calls. If you do choose the burn barrel, make sure there's no fire in it! Gear is expensive! In all seriousness though, gear doesn't stay clean for long. Our guys get a little razzing about clean gear, when issued a new set. Those are the guys first in, or the quickest to overhaul. They don't stay clean! I'm pretty sure they take a couple extra rolls while they're in there!

Permalink Reply by brad pennin on March 14, 2009 at 8:37am

thamks for ur reply
i know that time and calls should do but not at the station im at
there hasnt been a fire in that zone in years , and theres no chance im getting off the assigment beacuse im a lifeguard and i can actually do ocean rescue
our busiest station was running 30-33 calls a shift and thats where i was before and i just want to go back!!!!
;(

Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on March 14, 2009 at 8:44am

Don't you dare.....!!!! If you screw up "new" gear because you don't want it to look new I hope they make you pay for it......Show both your pride and your professionalism by making sure you take care of it....Clean well taken equipment will not only show that you are a professional but it will also take care of you when you need it....The idiots that roam around in dirty, smelly fould looking gear are showing that #1 they don't care.....#2 That they don't care who they expose all those nasty chemicals and poisons we encounter at a fire to. (why do we wear scba...?) Yep, those chemicals...the very same ones that can cause cancer and kill you....We had a probie that made it to full member status and he wanted his helmet to look "used" so he baked it in an oven....He got caught and got the priviledge to buy the department a new Cairns......stay safe...Keep the Faith.....Paul

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Nation WebChief on March 14, 2009 at 9:42am

This thread is closed. Promoting unsafe gear practices is not permitted here.