Bunker gear

Firefighters in Chicago wearing rubber three-quarter boots and jacket

Firefighters in Montreal in full turnout gear during a fire

Bunker gear (also known as turnout gear, fire kit and incident gear) is the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by firefighters. The terms are derived from the fact that the trousers and boots are traditionally kept by the firefighter's bunk at the fire station to be readily available for use.

History

left, Toolbelt with gloves and tools

Historically, firefighters have not had access to the same level of protective clothing used today. Most fires were fought from the outside of buildings, and structures were rarely entered. Early in the history of firefighting, a firefighter's outer clothing were more for warmth and dryness than for protection from fire. In the early 19th century, felt caps were worn of various design and were more for decoration than service; this early headgear did not provide any protection against flame or head injury but did keep water off the firefighter's face. The modern firefighter's helmet was developed in 1830 by a luggage maker Henry Gratacap, a volunteer firefighter in New York City. Gratacap recognized the need for a well-designed helmet that provided maximum protection to the wearer. This helmet is immediately recognizable today as the "New Yorker" style and little has changed in its general shape. The helmet had a high peaked front to retain a helmet shield which was usually adorned with a company name and number and it also featured eight rib sections on the dome (for added rigidity) and a long rear brim that channeled water away from the wearer's neck.

The early use of long trench coats, made of leather or canvas and later made of rubber, was the forerunner of modern turnout jackets. Early coats had felt or wool liners to provide warmth in the winter. These liners later developed into the thermal protection liners found in today's modern coats. Earlier rubber coats were much longer than today's modern turnout jackets, reaching down to a firefighter's mid thigh and were worn with long rubber boots called "three-quarter boots" which came above the firefighter's knees. This interface of boot and coat left a large gap of protection against fire. This system has since been replaced by the modern combination of a jacket, pants with suspenders, and shorter rubber or leather boots, although some departments still wear the traditional old style of gear.

The combination of modern triple-layer turnout gear with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), personal alert safety system (PASS) device, and modern communications equipment made it more feasible and survivable to enter burning buildings. Modern turnout jackets and pants are made of fire resistant fabrics, mainly aramids such as Nomex and Kevlar or polybenzimidazole (PBI). The standard that the National Fire Protection Association has designated to firefighter protective clothing, NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, which specifies "the minimum design, performance, safety, testing, and certification requirements for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements that include coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components."NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2007 Edition. National Fire Prevention Association: Boston, Massachusetts. 2007

Station uniform

The first component of firefighting equipment is the uniform that a firefighter will wear around the station. Its purpose is to provide a comfortable clothing that they wear around the station, but will not become an obstruction when a firefighter is required to put on his/her turnout gear. Naturally, turnout gear is to be worn over the station garments during any call that a firefighter is called upon. Another aspect of the station uniform is the station safety shoes, commonly referred to as work boots. These shoes are required to be fitted with safety toes and puncture-resistant soles in most countries in case the firefighter goes out on a call that does not require his/her turnout gear.

The United States follows NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire Fighters. NFPA 1975's main purpose is that no part of the uniform garment “ignite, melt, drip, or separate” when exposed to a heat of 500°F for 5 minutes.

Protective ensemble

Turnout clothing can consist of a combination of trousers, suspenders, boots, and a jacket. Modern sets use a trouser/jacket combination. The advantage of this combination is overlapping coverage to create a protective envelope for the firefighter to operate in.

It has been noted that young children who happen to be in already dangerous circumstances like a building fire may be frightened by the appearance of firefighters so equipped. To deal with that potential problem, many fire departments have school presentations to familiarize children with the gear so as to ensure they will be calm and cooperative during emergencies.

Materials

According to NFPA 1971 and similar standards in other countries, all turnout clothing must have 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 turnout pants are outfitted with reinforced knees and leather cuffs.

The materials used for the three layers in turnout trousers and coats may vary but will very often include a Nomex/Kevlar combination of material. As an example, the materials used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, as found in their 2005 recruit handout are as follows:
* Outer shell: Southern Mills, Advanced, Nomex/Kevlar blend in a "rip stop weave", with water repellent finish.
* Thermal insulated layer: Southern Mills Caldura batten quilt material.
* Thermal and moisture barriers are sewn together for removal for cleaning, repair and replacement from outer shell.
* Moisture barrier: Breathe-Tex material combined with Nomex/Kevlar blend laminated cloth.

NFPA 1500(Primary Guidelines for the Fire Service) and similar standards mandate firefighters wear protective collars upright and sleeves to protect the fire fighter from exposure to heat, water and debris;

Trousers

Once the need arises for firefighting personal protective equipment to be worn, a firefighter must properly don the equipment. Turnout trousers will be the first article of clothing that a firefighter will usually put on. Suspenders worn with the turnout trousers should be the heavy duty type in order to stand up against the heavy weights and rigorous activities they will face. Most experienced firefighters will carry various tools and equipment in their turnout trouser pockets, as well as rope and hardware they may need during an emergency. The turnout trousers, when not in use, are usually stored scrunched down around the boots for efficient and fast access when they are needed. The firefighter may then step into each boot and pull up the trousers and suspenders.

Coat

A turnout coat is the type of jacket typically worn by firefighters. Oversized pockets allow for carrying tools and equipment, and reflective safety stripes ensure that firefighters remain visible to each other. Protective coats will usually have Velcro or zipper functions which will enable a firefighter to properly and efficiently don this piece of gear. There is also a storm flap which covers this closure area and protects it against heat, damage and loosening. Wristlets, 4 inch (according to NFPA 1500) 100% Nomex coverings along the distal end of the coat arms in with the thumb joint will slip through, fit around the firefighter's hand and provide redundant protection where the skin may show between the glove and coat. They are designed to prevent burns to the wrist, while preventing bunching and remaining flexible.

Overalls

Overalls are available in the same materials and specifications. Usually an overall has a cord built in around the waist to make it fit better. Because of its size it is more difficult to scrunch up the overall around the boots.

Boots

Firefighter turnout boots are usually sized as a regular shoe, but are made of rubber or leather with a Steel toe insert. The boots are slipped inside the legs of the trousers to maintain a barrier from the heat given off by the fire. 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. Owing to the enormous number of potential hazards to the feet at a fire scene, turnout boots are required to be able to handle a variety of different hazards. 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, ne should go as far as tox-ray the boot".

Helmet

A Gallet or F1 helmet
A typically American leather helmet

The fire helmet's first function was to shed water in early years. Today, it is first and foremost designed to protect a firefighter from falling debris and injury to the head while fighting a fire. The secondary job of the fire helmet is to protect from heat, and hence burns to the head. It provides a hard shell, electrical, heat, and steam burn protection, and in some types of helmets, goggles, a face shield or Bourkes, a two piece short folding shield that covers the eyes. In the media these are often seen unfolded. All three provide a degree of protection for the firefighter's eyes during rescue and extrication operations. Fire helmets are constructed of various materials including non conductive materials for protection against electrical currents, carbon fiber and plastic combination for a lightweight design for comfort, and a Kevlar lining for strength and protection. More traditional US fire helmets are made out of leather.

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The_design_of_helmets_vary_from_fire_service_to_fire_service_and_depends_on_the_service_or_department's_requirements._Some_helmets_are_fitted_with_a_face_guard_or_shield_to_protect_the_firefighter's_face_against_heat,_dust,_water_and_debris_when_working_on_a_rescue_or_extraction_call_as_well_as_when_performing_fire_exposure_protection._In_the_case_of_exposure_protection_the_shield_works_better_for_it_keeps_more_heat_from_the_firefighter's_face,_but_the_goggles_give_more_eye_protection_in_extraction_and_rescue_ops.

There_are_four_basic_components_to_firefighting_helmets:

*_Helmet_shell:_Well_balanced,_lightweight,_and_designed_to_provide_maximum_protection._Contains_a_Front_Brim_(provides_protection_to_"eyes_and_facial"_area),_Rear_Brim_(Protection_to_"neck"_from_debris_and_water_run-off),_and_Raised_Top_(Provides_stability_from_impact_from_above).
*_Impact_ring:_3/8"_thick_sponge_rubber_Impact_Ring_to_absorb_impact_energy
*_Helmet_liner:_High_Density_plastic_liner,_made_of_fire_retardant__cotton_and_Nomex_

Nomex_is_a__flame-resistant_meta-aramid_material_developed_in_the_early_1960s_by_DuPont_and_first_marketed_in_1967.
__Properties_
Nomex_and_related_aramid_polymers_are_related_to_nylon,_but_have_aromatic_backbones,_and_hence_are_more_rigid_and_mo_...