Right thought I might throw this one out there but with NFPA's new replacement policy on bunker gear, why would we look to buy:
a. overly expensive gear?
b. cleaning and decontamination services?
c. anything that lasts less time than 10 years?
d. or listen to anyone that is going to tell us the gear is going to last forever? (Since we replace it less than infinity squared)
I don't disagree that some gear has needed to be replaced, or scrutinized for the amount of wearlife that it gives, but in the interest of the market competetion between cleaning services, manufacturers etc... I really do think that for the fire service as a whole this was a really bad plan, especially for large city fire departments, which are all screaming for monetary resources.
I've heard salespeople over the years selling crap, that they really don't understand at all, and told firefighters that this should slice bread and make coffee for them. Ultimately it does what it is supposed to which is protect them from fire only. So where is this choice going to ease the tensions/relations between the salespeople/manufacturers and the fire service as a whole. Just my thought here, but I really think the whole strategy of PPE needs to be revised to better reflect the needs of the service -vs- it's wants. It also needs to take into account that outer shells (some) last longer than most, and that simplicty can be the key verus trying to create a CBRN set of gear, C'mon what the hell people! If you are walking into an anthrax enviroment, mustard gas etc, you have the encapsulating suits to take care of this problem, not bunker gear! Again my humble opinion and really am searching for the reason why all of a sudden we have come up with a 10 year replacement policy?
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