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The Continuing Chronicles of the FNG(irl): Zippers and Velcro and Vents....Oh My
This isn't going to be one of my longer ramblings......not that I COULDN'T bore you to tears with 20 paragraphs about what I had for breakfast today... and one of these days I just might, but this is just an equipment quickie today. (However.....I was contemplating some grapefruit and a bowl of---oh never mind. )
In a stunning turn of events, I was selected, along with nine other members of my department, to be fitted for brand-spankin new turnout gear!! I'm not sure how or why I made the cut when some other newbies didn't, but I'm not complaining.
Bunker pants that actually fit? Suspenders that I don't have to duct-tape in place? I'm so excited I could throw up!
We're getting Janesville gear---I didn't catch the specific style, but it's vented in all the right places, and weighs about half what my Globe stuff does. And I'm actually getting my name on the butt of my coat. (You know, ten years ago I don't think I could have predicted getting all hot and bothered about getting my name put on the tail end of a coat in day-glo yellow). We're also going back to the Cairns helmets. No more black plastic bowling ball cut in half with a sticker on it for ID and a face shield that has so many scratches on it I have to guess where I'm walking.
I tried on a demo set that was pretty close in size to what I'm getting.....and I had to stop just to appreciate the zipper.
No more fighting my way through all the snaps and clips....
It was so light compared to my current set that I literally felt like I could run a 5K in it. I'm not going to, but I COULD.
It's a good day to be the FNG(irl).
In a stunning turn of events, I was selected, along with nine other members of my department, to be fitted for brand-spankin new turnout gear!! I'm not sure how or why I made the cut when some other newbies didn't, but I'm not complaining.
Bunker pants that actually fit? Suspenders that I don't have to duct-tape in place? I'm so excited I could throw up!
We're getting Janesville gear---I didn't catch the specific style, but it's vented in all the right places, and weighs about half what my Globe stuff does. And I'm actually getting my name on the butt of my coat. (You know, ten years ago I don't think I could have predicted getting all hot and bothered about getting my name put on the tail end of a coat in day-glo yellow). We're also going back to the Cairns helmets. No more black plastic bowling ball cut in half with a sticker on it for ID and a face shield that has so many scratches on it I have to guess where I'm walking.
I tried on a demo set that was pretty close in size to what I'm getting.....and I had to stop just to appreciate the zipper.
No more fighting my way through all the snaps and clips....
It was so light compared to my current set that I literally felt like I could run a 5K in it. I'm not going to, but I COULD.
It's a good day to be the FNG(irl).
Add a Comment
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Comment by Jim on July 4, 2008 at 6:15pm
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Surely he's not complaining about that beautiful head of hair that drapes over your shoulders. ? Congrates on your new gear. My first was green cotton duck with a no liner plastic helmet and a little elastic neck strap. Hoods were not even dicussed? I LOVE PROGRESS !
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Comment by Bob on May 11, 2008 at 11:01pm
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I miss my first set of gear..........rubber coat, tin hat, orange rubber gloves, and those pull up rubber boots.
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Comment by FireCat on May 11, 2008 at 7:30am
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Congratulations on the new gear.
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Comment by Dave, NB 9 on May 8, 2008 at 9:52pm
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ahhhhh, I love the smell of new gear in the morning.......................................
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Comment by Mary Ellen Shea on May 8, 2008 at 7:50am
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You're HILARIOUS Tiger---..........
Is it MY fault that we don't run many calls? No....although I can see why some firefighters become arsonists.
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Comment by Tiger Schmittendorf on May 8, 2008 at 12:23am
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Zippers are nice until you're in a real fire and they get gunked up from all the crap that rains down on you.
Yours should last quite a while.
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Maybe they picked you because they have to pay by the letter and your last name only has four in it.
Maybe that's why I never get new gear, there's 13 letters in my last name....
Damn it.
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Comment by Engineco913 on May 7, 2008 at 4:44pm
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I almost forgot to ask you something!!!!! Hw are you going to wear your hair to make it more comfy under your helmet??? :):) Ok I know, I know I'm a smartass.
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You know what it was. The dept had someone read the FNGirl series from a while ago. Remember the snaps and d clips? :) I'm glad your getting new turnout gear! Better to have the more active people who TRAIN be rewarded with turnout thats compliant.
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Comment by Matthew Cosgrove on May 7, 2008 at 1:44pm
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I went from Jamesville to Morning Pride I liked them both.
Keep up the hard work and good luck! -Matt
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