Article and photo by Alex Langbell
Turnout gear or “bunker gear” is as important to the modern firefighter as any piece of armor worn by any warrior throughout history. It’s designed to keep you safe, protecting you from the environment and the forces out there that can potentially harm you. Although it won’t stop a spear, sword, or bullet, what it will do is protect you from extreme environmental temperatures and moderately hazardous objects that would tear open your skin as easy as one tears a piece of tissue.
History
Although there is no confirmation on how the terms “turnout” or “bunker” gear came to be, there are several good theories. One theory states the term “bunker” gear was given because the term “bunking” referred to sleeping at a New York City firehouse in the 1800s. Another theory was “turnout” is what you did when you responded to a fire–you “turned out.” What we do know is the original gear used by organized fire companies in the late 1800s were made of wool, which offered some protection from heat and cold. As firefighting and the fire service improved, so did our equipment, including our turnout coats and pants. The long vinyl “rain” coats and ¾ rubber “fishing wader style” boots used by most fire departments up until the late ‘70s and early ‘80s soon gave way to the modern-day turnout pants and coat we wear today.
Choosing Turnouts
Fortunately for us modern-day firefighters, we don’t have to try and decide what turnout gear will protect us better. Thanks to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, manufacturers are required to meet these industry standards, with most exceeding them. As firefighters, we should be more concerned about gear that fits us comfortably, allowing us to work more effectively and efficiently. Today’s manufacturers are consciously offering many different options when it comes to sizing. For example, some manufacturers offer the ability to choose from a traditional straight cut style to a more tapered athletic style, for those of us who spend a lot of time bench-pressing small vehicles.
Another detail to think about is what turnout gear will suit your firefighters for the climate they work in. A department located in Arizona will be subjected to a completely different outside environment than one located in Alaska. Talk to the manufacturer representative and discuss the available options.
Lastly, think about pocket layout. Does the gear you are looking at purchasing offer the appropriate number and style of pockets you need to hold everything you carry, including that tool you carry to take apart that kitchen sink? Most turnout manufacturers will custom build your gear for the most appropriate configuration needed for your firefighters. Things to think about: Where do you carry your portable radios? Where do you keep your flashlights? Would pocket dividers benefit for the type of small tools you carry?
Today’s manufacturers offer almost complete customization of turnout gear. They understand firefighters come in all shapes and sizes, and offer the ability for us to find the right gear to meet our demanding needs.
Maintenance and Care
According to NFPA 1851, the lifespan of turnout gear is 10 years. If you fight fire from a desk, like yours truly, you can probably make your gear last with very little maintenance. But if you are constantly finding yourself at the end of a hoseline in some stranger’s house, you will need to do more to maintain your gear. This starts by washing your gear according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Not only does this prevent any unwanted chemicals that have permeated your gear from breaking down the materials, thereby shortening the lifespan, more importantly it protects you from absorbing any number of carcinogens that you might have been exposed to. You need to inspect your gear on a regular basis. NFPA 1851 states that you will inspect and clean your gear annually. You should inspect your gear a lot more frequent than the recommendation, especially after each fire. If you are exposed to certain chemicals such as hydrochloric acid and don’t address it right away, you will have to replace that part of your gear, which can get pricey (the average set of turnout coat and pants well over $2,000 dollars.) With today’s technology in turnout gear, if you take good care of your gear, it will protect you in every battle you are sent to fight.
Alex Langbell is a captain with the Yakima (WA) Fire Department.
