Turnout Gear

Turnout gear is critical to fire fighter safety. Technological advances make today's fire fighter's safer than ever. In fact, some say the equipment is getting to good, allowing fire fighters a false sense of invincibility, getting us in places we shouldn't be.

A great deal of our training is directed to proper use of this equipment. In fact, as part of our training fire fighters must show the ability to don (apply) full PPE and SCBA correctly within a very short time window. This equipment falls into two main categories:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE's) and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA's)
The goal of the PPE is to protect all parts of the fire fighters body from heat, smoke, hot water, chemicals, bio hazards, and other hazardous materials often found at a fire scene. The products we use in our homes and cars are made of complicated plastics and resins which, when burned, create toxic smoke and chemicals. When worn properly, the PPE provides a complete shield against these elements.

Full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Includes:
Boots with steel plates in the mid-sole
Bunkers or Pants - three layers, outer, moisture and thermal
Coat - three layers
Special Protective Gloves
Fire resistant hood to cover head and neck
Helmet
Eye Protection
Hearing Protection
PASS Device - Personal Alert Safety System which alarms when a firefighter remains stationary for 30 seconds indicating the he/she may be in need of support. This loud audible devise with flashing light assists fire fighters in locating downed fire fighters. It is built into the SCBA system and turns on when the tanks are opened.

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus(SCBA's)
One of the greatest advances in protection for firefighters is in the SCBA systems we use. Modern SCBA's have carry a tank with 2216 pounds of live supporting air. These tanks are rated for 30 minutes of controlled breathing. The air from the tank is regulated to slightly above ambient pressure and supplies air to our form-fit face shields. The face shields provide additional eye protection and seal out the smoke and heat from our faces. The positive pressure supplied by the regulator ensures that any leak in the mask will leak fresh air, and not allow smoke in. As the fire fighter breaths, the regulator supplies air. The face piece also includes an LED display communicating how much air is left in the tank. Audible alarms and a vibration device in the face piece give last minute warnings when the tank is getting low. There are also two pressure gauges, one on the tank and one the fire fighter can read while wearing the gear.

Full PPE and SCBA weigh approximately 65 pounds and can add greatly to firefighter fatigue.