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Slight/Petite Female Firefighters: help me out with gear please!
I am 5'4" and 100 lbs of lean, mean, fire-ass kicking machine..and I need gear!
I just started with my department in the fall so I'm still a probie, but on christmas eve I had my first ever fully involved structure fire. I kicked butt and it felt great but there was a lot I couldn't do. Meaning I need to bulk up but also I definately need new gear. My lack of gear fitting properly hindered my ability to help. I'm a size 5 shoe and my hands reflect my size.. I was stumbling over my pants, my suspenders weren't small enough, my gloves were practically useless as my fingers barely extended into the palms, and My jacket is huge! So I'm wondering about brand names and what not so I can make a sort of 'wish-list' of gear.
As it is we have a shortage of small gear in my department,
meaning I have gear that does not function well at all as illustratedn above..BUT I'm hoping if some of you ladies have a nice set of gear, you could tell me what kind it is and what sizes. Theres a fire supply store right near me and I'm looking to at least try a couple brands.
Thanks and stay safe sisters!
<3
I just started with my department in the fall so I'm still a probie, but on christmas eve I had my first ever fully involved structure fire. I kicked butt and it felt great but there was a lot I couldn't do. Meaning I need to bulk up but also I definately need new gear. My lack of gear fitting properly hindered my ability to help. I'm a size 5 shoe and my hands reflect my size.. I was stumbling over my pants, my suspenders weren't small enough, my gloves were practically useless as my fingers barely extended into the palms, and My jacket is huge! So I'm wondering about brand names and what not so I can make a sort of 'wish-list' of gear.
As it is we have a shortage of small gear in my department,
meaning I have gear that does not function well at all as illustratedn above..BUT I'm hoping if some of you ladies have a nice set of gear, you could tell me what kind it is and what sizes. Theres a fire supply store right near me and I'm looking to at least try a couple brands.
Thanks and stay safe sisters!
<3
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Richard on
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check with NAFECO. We have a captain about your size and they did custom fit for her a couple of years back. Hope you'll be like her. I'll put her up against any guy we've got.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Brooke on
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I completely agree with kali. Your safety officer should have never allowed that to happen! Poor fitting gear can lead to big ,big problems not to mention burns, exposure to bio-hazards, boots coming off etc...get your gear fitted right ,train then go to the fire ground!Please dont put yourself in jeopardy(or someone else)for the sake of getting a run under your belt ! Happy Hoildays and good luck!
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Permalink Reply by J. D. Rinard on
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My advice would be to talk with your chief and safety officer and let them know that gear that is too big is a safety concern. Most turnout gear companies will size you when getting new gear. true we all lose some mobility while in gear but fitting right is better than not fitting. When we got our new gear from Towers Apparatus a represinitave (spelled wrong probably) came and measured us. And mine fits perfectly. Good Luck! Train hard and be teachable.
J.D.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
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For someone like yourself who is smaller, look at the Cairns 880 helmet as well (if you are wearing traditional style) they are smaller and lowerer profile. Leather boots will be your friend for sure. I can get Black Diamond as small as size 4 Mens, rubber boots as small as size 3 Mens. The gear issue is your department's fault. They need to get you properly sized, otherwise, they will have one hell of a liability suit when you get hurt.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on
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I gotta say I agree 100% here. It is your departments responisbility and obligation to provide you with proper fitting PPE BEFORE you are permitted to to operate on the fire ground. Just giving you something to wear so you can show up is actually setting you up for injury. Would they do the same for a smaller man?
This has been an issue with department over the years as more females come on the job. Thankfully manufacturers are making female sized clothing. But smaller men have had the same proble for years. However the entire cut of the gear IS different for females. Few departments actually stock it, and it SHOULD be custom-ordered, as well as any gear that doesn't fit any firefighter.
THEY MUST equip you safely! Stumbling will only make you a liability. Sit it out until you are fitted and provided the right stuff!
Yes...you MUST work on your strenght and fitness levels. But not just becouse you are a small female. There are probabaly thousands of male firefighters who refuse to admit they need it too. Especially those who feel their extra 50 pounds overweight will only make them more powerful to knock down walls! I hear that all the time.
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Permalink Reply by Caroline on
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woah i didn't think ill-fitting gear would be more than a nuisance..thanks for the forewarning!
my superiors do know my gear doesn't fit great, but nobody ever mentioned any risks or safety factors that they'd be responsible for if my gear malfunctioned or whatever. it hasn't put me directly in danger, but why wait until it does.. i'll definately look at getting some gear at least before i start training or do any more hard labor.
gracias amiga.
(:
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ahh thank you!
it's definately something i will be bringing up with my leiutenant. (:
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my current helmet is this, only an older version and also very beatup.
no chin strap which my fellow department member is angry about..that and the sheild is floppy and non-functional
hopefully his anger will fuel me a new helmet, perhaps that tightens better. (:
thank you!
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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I can't believe they sent you out with an old helmet w/o a chin strap! The padding in the liner will deteriorate over time, and the strap is the first thing the investigator checks if you get hurt!
If it makes you feel any better, almost every woman I know in the service has to deal with poorly fitting gear. Keep the faith!
bonus advice: I tell all the female probies "You will never have the physical stregnth of most men, so you will need to be at least twice as smart as the men are. Fortunately this is usually not too difficult!"
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Permalink Reply by cheryl hardwick on
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Hey Caroline, good luck with that. I have served almost 4 years now, and am just getting equipped with acceptable gear. It is not that the industry is sexist l, just not ready for petite sizes. Boots have been a nightmare. My SCBA masks are always too big. Speak up about your equipment, it takes time but the Municipality you work for will pay it. My first two years were comprised entirely with -hand me downs- which were great, but really difficult to work with, you shouldnt climb a 30ft ladder with boots that are too big. You need to be fitted to new gear, ASAP. I know it is hard to be a probie and ask for gear, dont complain, just ask. You may not get it right away, but you will get it. We are talking about safety here.
Stay safe.
Cheryl
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