Extrication/Protective Gear

[andy101]

I am new to out First Responder squad and have been asked to do some research on a hot topic in our squad regarding Extrication/Protective gear.

The problem is the newer guys on the squad like me are also on the fire department and have noticed that we are going on seen with nothing more than our street clothes for the last few years.

We are having a problem convincing other members in our squad the benefits of some kind of extrication/protective gear. Some of the members state that they have not needed it in the years past and that we younger guys and girls just need to be more cautious, although most of these members no longer going on calls.

I would like to know what others have found in their departments. We could use all the help we can get.

[DrParasite]

full NFPA approved structural turnout gear, with the appropriate reflective stripping as defined by the Dept of Transportation. This includes both head, eye, and hand protection. at least that is what I like to operate in. blood borne pathogen protection is another plus.

look at NYPD ESU. They handled MVC/Pin jobs in helmets, work gloves, and their standard uniforms. I think they may use safety glasses for eye protection as well, and steed toed boots, but I'm not sure. but they don't use turnout gear.

In the end, it all boils down to what you want to wear. if you are in the back seat of a car as the FD is cutting the car apart from around you, how much protection do you want between you and the hydralic tools? or between you and the glass fragments? or between you and the shards of metal?

OSHA has some requirements for PPE. check with them as to what they require. but remember, you can purchase all the PPE that you want, there will still be some old farts (yes, I called them old farts) who won't use it because 1) it's too hot or cumbersome or 2) when I used to do this, we didn't need all this gear, so I won't be using it now.

[Chauffer6]

The best protection is without question full PPE. Helmet, goggles, turnout coat, firefighting or extrication gloves, bunker pants and bunker boots. At the bare minimum you should at least be wearing a helmet of some sort (even a hardhat is better than nothing), goggles, gloves and something other than shorts and a t-shirt.

You don't have to spend a fortune on this stuff either, as you're not going to be using it for interior firefighting and therefore don't need $1,500 PBI with the latest thermal and moisture barrier material. You can go out and get basic lightweight Nomex turnout gear and lightweight composite helmets. Almost all reputable turnout gear manufacturers have a complete line of very affordable gear specifically for Rescue/EMS that still meet many OSHA or NFPA standards, notably for bloodborne pathogens protection. Even if you went out and bought Nomex jumpsuits in a few different size to keep on the rig, you'd be a lot better off than you are now wearing nothing. You can and should also look into applying for a grant or other funding to lessen the cost burden.

You need to convince the old timers of the ever increasing dangers we face today. If you guys work closely with the fire dept, invite one of the more respected and knowledgeable officers to speak to your squad to explain why turnout gear is not just important inside fires, but also during extrication, rescue, hazmat and similar jobs.

[Weruj1]

we also respond to MVA's/TC's whatever you want ot call them in full turnouts. Where I work part time as a Medic only (no FF) we have some very nice USAR stuff from Morning Pride. But it should be more than regular street clothes IMHO.