Bunker gear
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Bunker gear is a term used in many fire departments to refer to the system of outer protective clothing worn by firefighters, also commonly known as "structural turnouts".
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[edit] History
The fire service, in America, began around 1760 in colonial Boston. Needless to say, the methods of attack for firefighters have changed much since those incipient days, but not without the help of the developed turnout gear that we are now familiar with. One could easily imagine what the effects would be to a firefighter who would rush into a burning building with out any personal protective equipment (PPE); quite dire, to say the least. So it was that our forefathers were required to handle fires exteriorly, for the most part; which proved to be a not so reliable approach to extinguishment. With the developments of water pumps and more durable fire hose, a need came to dress the men who would operate the equipment; dress which would enable them to enter further and further into the burning buildings. With time, technology will progress in all fields, regardless if there is a need or want of it. This holds true for firefighting protective equipment. The early days of the leather helmet have been added to with new materials that are more lightweight, durable, and protecting. Instead of just a long trench coat, our firefighters are now protected in triple-layered bunker gear from head to toe. Even the seemingly simple station uniform has been designed to provide additional protection during a fire.
[edit] Station Uniform
The standard that the National Fire Protection Association has designated to firefighter protective clothing, NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Firefighting, has been designed to include, “coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components” (Sneed 80) The first component of firefighting equipment, that a firefighter will wear is their station uniform, which actually falls under NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/ Work Uniforms for Fire Fighters. It’s purpose is to provide, at a minimum, “a standard of work wear” (Sneed 86) which will not contribute to injury during a fire, or become an obstruction when a firefighter is required to don his turnout gear. NFPA 1975s main purpose is that no part of the uniform garment “ignite, melt, drip, or separate” (Sneed 86) when exposed to a heat of 500° F for 5 minutes. Naturally, turnout gear is to be worn over the station garments during firefighting operations. Another aspect of the station uniform is the station safety shoes, commonly referred to as work boots. Most departments will require these shoes to be fitted with safety toes and puncture-resistant soles.
[edit] Protective Trousers
Once the need arises for actual firefighting protective garments to be worn, also known as turnouts, a firefighter must properly don all of his protective equipment. Protective trousers will be the first article of clothing that a firefighter will usually don. According to NFPA 1971, all trousers must be comprised of three components: an outer shell, a moisture barrier, and a thermal barrier. In between these layers are pockets of air referred to as "dead zones" these layers of air along with the three protective layers help to further insulate the wearer from the extreme environments of fires. Usually trousers are outfitted with reinforced knees and leather cuffs. Suspenders worn with the trousers should be the heavy duty type in order to stand up against such heavy weights and rigorous activities they will face. As a side mention, most experienced firefighters will carry with them, in their trouser pockets, various tools and trinkets they feel they may need during an emergency. Almost always, one could expect to find a multipurpose tool in the cargo pocket of a firefighter.
[edit] Protective Coat
Usually pre-fitted inside the legs of the trousers are the rubber firefighting boots. When the trousers and boots are not being actively used, the trousers will fold down and out around the shins of the boots, ready for quick access for the firefighter. They are, in effect, “turned inside out with the boots attached;” (Firefighter Protective Clothing Tour) hence the term turnouts. Due to the enormous amounts of potential hazards at a fire scene to the feet, turnout boots are required to be able to handle a variety of different burns and blows. All boots are required to be outfitted with safety toes and a puncture resistant midsole plate to prevent puncture from sharp objects that may be stepped on. Such emphasis on the midsole plate is made that IFSTA has deemed that “if there is doubt about midsole protection, [one should go as far as to] x-ray the boot.” (Sneed 80)
[edit] Flash Hood/ Nomex Hood and Other Parts of the Garments
Protective hoods are worn by firefighters and are fitted and designed to protect the firefighter’s ears, neck, and the parts of his or her face which are not being protected by his or her facemask. They are made of fire resistive material, many times Nomex, and are thus commonly referred to as Nomex hoods. Over the protective hoods and trousers will sit the protective coats. In terms of materials and layering, the protective hoods are designed virtually identically to the protective trousers. They too will contain their own outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal barrier. The protective coats will usually have Velcro or zipper functions which will enable a firefighter to quickly, properly and easily don this piece of gear. There is also a storm flap which covers this closure area and protects it against damage and loosening. Wristlets, along the distal end of the coat arms, fit around the firefighters hand to prevent the sleeve from sliding up during firefighting functions.
[edit] Hand Protection
There are almost countless types of hand protection which are available to firefighters today, but we will concentrate on two general categories of them: the work glove and the structural firefighting glove. Work gloves are a must for all fire departments. They are used when gloves are required, but actual firefighting gloves are not. They allow better mobility to perform various types of functions from relaying hose beds to vehicle maintenance. Work gloves are usually made of leather or a like-material. Once a firefighter is required to enter a working fire, he or she will don his or her structural firefighting gloves. Structural gloves tend to be the last piece of protective equipment to be donned; usually because the free dexterity of the fingers are required to perform functions such as properly placing an SCBA mask on and accurately tightening a helmet strap. The gloves will fit over the wristlets and under the distal part of the coat sleeve, ensuring full enclosure of the latter arm. Gloves will be designed to protect from extreme heat, various penetrating objects, and to allow dexterity. Usually the latter is sacrificed in order to give adequate protection to heat and sharp objects.
== Reference ==
Sneed, Marsha, Essentials of Fire Fighting. IV. IFSTA, 2001. City of Davis, California, "Firefighter Protective Clothing Tour." City of Davis, California Fire Department. Davis Fire Department. 11 Sep 2006 <http://www.city.davis.ca.us/fire/pct/>.
