Protecting Your Extinguishers From The Elements

Protecting Your Fire Extinguishers From The NZ Elements

Whether you have just bought brand new fire extinguishers, or you already have some that are kept outdoors, protecting them from the harsh New Zealand elements can add years to the service life and keep them in working order. Keeping them in cabinets is a good way to make sure they stay in the desired location.

Extinguisher Covers

A simple plastic cover over your fire extinguisher is a budget-friendly way of keeping it protected. By keeping your extinguisher covered and out of the direct rain, you will prevent it from corrosion. By covering it, you’re also protecting it from the damaging UV rays on sunny days. They are also great for extinguishers in dusty warehouses or workshops. Our covers will still make sure your extinguisher is always seen for when someone needs to find it with a bright red block with the words fire extinguisher. They are also made from a heavy-duty, UV stabilised plastic. Once you have put the cover over the extinguisher, you place it back onto its wall hook and you are done.  

Extinguisher Cabinets

If you want more of a permanent solution to protect your extinguishers from everything, then a cabinet is the way to go. We offer two types of cabinets. Either powder coated steel or a UV stabilised plastic. Having your extinguishers in a cabinet will not only protect it from the elements but also any damage, accidental or otherwise. The cabinets also come with all necessary mounting hardware and a strap to keep the extinguisher securely in position. For extra security, our steel cabinets come with a lock. This won’t affect access to the extinguishers either, as there is a key hidden behind the safety glass at the front. Our cabinets are available in different sizes so that most extinguisher types can fit into one.  

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How To Become A Firefighter In Kansas

Kansas is home to many great fire departments; leading many aspiring firefighters to ask how to become a firefighter in Kansas. 

In many ways, Kansas is your stereotypical Midwestern state. It is long been a hive of agricultural activity with a rural approach to life. It is only the 34th most populated state and predominantly lies within the great central plain.

But, this idyllic notion of the range and smaller communities doesn’t minimize the need for a skilled fire department in every town and city. Kansas residents can rely on either a volunteer or career-based fire service to look after the countryside, industry and major residential areas.

How to Become A Firefighter In Kansas

• 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• US citizen
• Valid driver’s license
• Pass a background check
• Pass a physical agility test

The minimum requirements for employment as a firefighter in Kansas are similar to those across the other states of North America.

You need to be able to prove your age and residency when applying, have all the appropriate documentation for your driver’s license and high school education and have a good character.

Different departments will then have their own requirements depending on the role you apply for. Volunteer departments may be a little more lenient on previous experience and training as compared to career departments.

In this article, I will discuss at some of the different requirements for training and education standards for Kansas firefighters. I will also offer some information about some of the fire academies and major fire departments in the state.

I also want to look at some of the specific challenges that Kansas firefighters will face when learning to to be a firefighter in Kansas.

Firefighting in Kansas

It is important to remain reliable and professional at all times when working as a firefighter in any state, and this certainly holds true in Kansas

Most fire departments in Kansas will have tough rules about past incidents of substance abuse. Many will not hire anyone that has struggled with these issues in recent years or that has had a DUI on their criminal record.

This is all understandable given the trust placed in all firefighters that work in this state. The Topeka Fire department goes a little further with even more defined rules and regulations.

They state that no applicant should have a DUI within 5 years of the job offer, no use of any illegal drug within that time frame as well as no use of marijuana within a year.

Education helps ensure that every firefighter can fulfill their role. Some departments have higher expectations than others.

Some volunteer positions will require little other than the high school diploma or GED. Others want the best and brightest for their paid roles.

For example, in Manhattan, all applicants must complete the Fire Service Entrance Exam (FSEE) with no less than 80% or the alternative FireTEAM Ergometric.

This is unusual as many departments in the United States focus on the civil service exam and tend to accept those with 70% or greater.

The exception to the rule in Manhattan is if applicants have a relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Challenges facing Kansas firefighters

The landscape of Kansas is always at the mercy of the weather. This means that there is a regular risk of bad weather causing accidents, tornadoes, floods and structural damage to homes and businesses across the state.

Departments need to be able to handle these incidents and coordinate responses to help preserve life and property as best they can.

The better trained their recruits are, the better the chance of controlling the situation with minimal damage. One such situation is the aftermath of a tornado.

Kansas sees the second-highest number of tornadoes per state in the US. Only Texas sees more, yet has a considerably larger landmass.

The devastation of tornadoes can cause issues with power lines, structural damage, entrapment and other dangers. Fire departments and crew members that can work with other departments can help to bring these devastating events under control.

Fire Academies in Kansas

Kansas has many universities and fire academies across the state that offer an education in fire safety and management. Those that do well in these courses can go on into career departments and develop their skills even further.

Great Bend: Barton Community College

Dodge City: Dodge City Community College

Garden City: Garden City Community College

Hutchinson: Hutchinson Community College

Kansas City: Kansas City Kansas Community College

Overland Park: Johnson County Community College

El Dorado: Butler Community College

Lawrence: Kansas University Fire Service Training

Parsons: Labette Co Community College

Coffeyville: Coffeyville Community College

There are many fire science and technology courses out there that offer a basic introduction to the principles and applications of working in the fire service.

The program at Garden City is a good example of what you can learn, but also how you can apply a college education to your budding career. You can learn more about their program here. 

Here they offer an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Fire Science.

Their aim is to prepare students for their role in the fire service by developing coursework and practical skills in different areas. This includes fire prevention skills, techniques in rescue and fire control, emergency medical training and other hands-on skills.

There are also opportunities to look into more specialized areas such as Hazmat, Driver Operator and EMT training.

Students can graduate with an Associate in Applied Science degree and then transfer their credits to a course at a 4-year college if required.

Many departments will happily accept those with an associate degree because the skills often relate to basic training and allow them to take Firefighter I and II tests.

The Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute does things differently with a “Mobile Fire Academy” concept.

This is meant to provide a more accessible means of training for those in more rural areas or those with scheduling issues. The academy moves around to help anyone across the state at a time that suits them.

The academy offers the same level of training with classes on all kinds of concepts and skills related to firefighting. It offers enough training to allow students to fulfill the requirements to get their Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 certificates. There are also options for Firefighter Engineer and Pumper and Aerial modules. You can learn more here.

Finally, there are some departments and academies in Kansas that will provide additional training to those that want to improve their skills in technical rescue training. These short courses can help firefighters learn how to react and help in incidents following a tornado or major storm.

Individuals can learn how to secure buildings that are in danger of collapsing and procure materials from structures that cannot be saved.

The more you know, and better able you are to work with other authorities, the better the outcome for citizens in your area. Talk to local stations or fire academy to see what opportunities are in your area.

Major Fire Departments in Kansas

While there are numerous fire departments in Kansas the following if just 3 of the larger departments in the state.

How to Become A Topeka, KS Firefighter

• 21 years of age
• High school diploma (or GED)
• Resident of Shawnee County, or must relocate within 18 months of employment
• Valid Kansas driver’s license
• U.S. Citizen
• No other driving violations that would fall within the City Vehicle Policy insurability guidelines prior to conditional job offering or hiring
• A valid, current Kansas Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), Paramedic certification or National Registry equivalent is required to apply

Many aspiring firefighters interested in learning how to become a firefighter in Kansas would love the opportunity to work for the Topeka Fire Department.

There are 12 stations scattered across the city ready to handle a variety of emergency situations, such as highway accidents, house fires and commercial building incidents.

The city also has their own training facility, so it is a good place for new recruits to get a basic education and build on their skills with hands-on experience.

One of the more unusual requirements here is that applicants must be 21 years of age by the date of the test as compared to most fire departments that require 18 or older. You can learn more about the Topeka Fire Department here. 

How to Become an Overland Park, KS Firefighter

• 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• US citizen
• Valid driver’s license
• Pass a background check
• Pass a physical agility test

Topeka may be the capital of Kansas, but the population is in decline. This isn’t the case over in Overland Park.

This just outside of Kansas City is expanding rapidly. It is now the second-most populous city in Kansas with many major companies flocking here.

An ever-expanding infrastructure, density of large buildings and population all means a growing need for fire service coverage.

There has been a fire department here for over 100 years, but it is now more important than ever. There are 5 stations and a training facility. Learn more here.

How to Become a Manhattan, KS Firefighter

• 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• US citizen
• Valid driver’s license
• Pass a background check
• Pass a physical agility test

Finally, after talking about the high expectation levels in Manhattan, we should take a moment to look at their department.

They are a full-time career department, hence the tough criteria, and is split into support, operations and fire prevention divisions.

They also work alongside emergency medical services so EMT training is a must here. Those that join the Manhattan Fire Department are encouraged to continue with their medical training to increase their value to the department and community.

Job Prospects for Kansas Firefighters

Firefighter vacancies are always going to create a lot of competition from qualified candidates. However, residents here can perhaps be a little more optimistic because of recent stats from 2018.

Looking at high employment rates in non-metropolitan area, the highest was Kansas with 1,570 crew members employed and 3.99 placements per 1000 jobs.

The only downside here is that there was a much lower mean wage than the highest metropolitan areas with $32,140 annually and $15.45 hourly.

If you interested in knowing how to become a firefighter in Kansas, just know the departments here offer a lot of opportunities for new recruits to join the fire service.

There are departments across the state’s great plains and cities that offer a range of positions with quite minimal requirements. If you are prepared to put in the hard work and continue with more specialized training, you can help your local community in many ways and thrive in growing departments.

The post How To Become A Firefighter In Kansas appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

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How To Become A Firefighter In Kentucky

For those aspiring firefighters living in the Bluegrass State, how to become a firefighter in Kentucky is a question commonly asked. 

The commonwealth of Kentucky, as it is often known, is a state famous for its culture and landscape. Some of the best of America’s folk music, racehorses and alcoholic beverages come from the rural communities of Kentucky.

There is a lot of history and heritage to protect from fire, flood and other disasters, so naturally Kentucky needs the very best firefighters training in its academies and colleges running its fire stations.

How To Become A Firefighter In Kentucky

• 18 years or older
• High school diploma or GED
• A valid state driver’s license
• Pass a background check
• Pass a physical agility test
• A US citizen with residency in Kentucky

As you can see the bare minimum requirements here are quite straightforward in terms of age, certification and physical fitness.

However, the process can become more complicated as it progresses. Further screening processes, drug tests and firefighter interviews weed out the best candidates from the rest.

Some departments also have specifics within their policies that may exclude certain applicants.

In this guide, I want to highlight some of the issues with these policies, the challenges facing those that are eligible and the training opportunities available. I will also talk about a few of the major fire departments in the state.

Firefighting in Kentucky

Kentucky fire departments stretch right across the state dealing with emergencies on different scales.

There are intense industrial blazes and major incidents in cities as well as all of the floods, wildfires and disaster relief out in the countryside.

All Kentucky fire recruits must have skills across many disciplines to handle anything that they encounter. This means wildland training, emergency drills and experience with different hazardous materials.

One aspect of firefighting in Kentucky that sets it apart from the other states in the country is the number of bourbon distilleries.

Naturally, if one were to develop a fault or a blaze then it becomes a major risk to life in the area because of the high alcohol content.

95% of American Bourbon comes from Kentucky with 73 licensed distilleries offering different brands and supplying to countless retailers across the world. Eight of those are in the Bardstown area alone.

A recent fire at one of the Jim Beam warehouses showed just how intense and rapid these fires can be. The blaze was extreme and difficult for crews to control.

One thing that I want to talk about here is the slightly old-fashioned policies and viewpoints held by fire departments in Kentucky.

All new recruits must realize that while the fire service is an equal opportunities employer, there are fewer female firefighters than usual.

Kentucky does allow for women recruits as much as men. However, women can’t feel as though they are at a disadvantage.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights challenged the manual of the Louisville department over statements about female recruits that “overtly discourage women”.

Female applicants can read the arguably patronizing wording of the chief here and make up their own minds. It may actually encourage many to prove him wrong.

Then there is a requirement in the rules of the Bardstown district that I need to highlight.

Elsewhere on this site, you will find guides that I have written about the image of the firefighter and the acceptance of beards in fire departments.

Many stations are happy to be lenient on tattoos and a small amount of facial hair because of cultural and religious rights.

However, Bardstown Fire Department is one that insists that their employees follow their grooming policy. This means being clean-shaven and “maintaining a positive public image”.

It seems as though they are of the impression that a respectable, approachable public servant still looks a certain way.

Fire Academies In Kentucky

Whatever your race, religion or gender – or your personal appearance – all firefighter applicants in Kentucky need to have the right level of training to proceed in their career.

The good news for aspiring firefighters looking to begin their career is that the state has fire courses and fire academies in many major towns and cities. They include:

Louisville: Jefferson Community and Technical College

Somerset: Somerset Community College

Bowling Green: South Central Kentucky Community and Technical College and Bowling Green Technical College

Richmond: Eastern Kentucky University

Highland Heights: Northern Kentucky University

Lexington: Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Florence: Gateway Community and Technical College

Ashland: Ashland Community & Technical College

Hazard: Hazard Community and Technical College

Versailles: Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville is a good starting point for all those that don’t have prior firefighting experience.

You can enroll in this Fire Science program as a complete novice and pick up key skills and knowledge.

Those in volunteer roles can use this associate degree to help them progress into a paid career role. Those in entry-level paid positions can use this as part of their training credits and advance within their department.

The course requires 18 credit hours of coursework and 46 credit hours of specialist fire/rescue/EMS classes. You can learn more about this degree here.

Another form of firefighter training to consider if you’re wondering how to become a firefighter in Kentucky is the state fire rescue program.

Here trainees can learn more about what it takes to coordinate an emergency response to a major incident in the state. This includes a chance to look at the roles of fire departments but also those of the police, medical responses, government agencies and other specialist rescue teams.

These training sessions could prove useful for those in a managerial role or those looking to increase their skills.

The initiative runs through 14 different offices in Kentucky so there should be an opportunity near you. You can find out more about this higher education option here.

Major Fire Departments in Kentucky

There are many departments scattered throughout Kentucky. Some will experience more urban incidents, such as commercial fires, while others are more rural nearer to the mountains.

How to Become a Louisville, KY Firefighter

• 18 years or older
• High school diploma or GED
• A valid state driver’s license
• Pass a background check
• Pass a physical agility test
• A US citizen with residency in Kentucky
• No felony convictions or multiple misdemeanors

I have to start with Louisville because it is the largest department in one of Kentucky’s most populated cities.

A job here will bring new recruits plenty of experience with all kinds of emergencies and accidents. In fact, the department claims that its more than 500 members can handle as many as 50,000 incidents in a year.

Upon passing the minimum requirements outlined above, you need to undertake a written exam, a physical agility test, background check and pass a polygraph.

All successful candidates then enter the department’s 27-week training program at the Louisville Fire Training Academy.

How to Become A Bardstown, KY Firefighter

• Good physical condition
• New recruits must complete 24 hours of standby at the station every month
• Must meet 18 hours of training per quarter
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Pass a background check and medical exam
• Adhere to department grooming policy which includes being clean shaven and maintaining a positive public image

I want to mention Bardstown in this guide because of the incident at the Jim Beam warehouse and all those distilleries at risk. Recruits here need to be skilled and ready to handle anything.

Training is essential and new recruits should engage in additional training courses and advanced skills as they progress through their career. In fact, department officers state that new recruits must engage in 24 hours of standby per month and 18 hours of training per quarter.

Aside from the issue mentioned before about “positive public image”, the rules for joining the Bardstown service are pretty much the same as most departments.

Job Prospects for Firefighters In Kentucky

As of 2018, the Bureau for Labor Statistic states that there were 4240 firefighters in Kentucky, which means a ratio of 2.24 per 100 jobs.

The annual mean wage was calculated as $33,520.

This is interesting when we consider the current rates in Louisville. Here, recruits can expect to get the following: $18,357 as an entry-level basic firefighter, $58,529 as an expert level basic firefighter and then $83,435 for an expert fire officer.

This shows the opportunities for progression in one department alone. The lower mean figure probably accounts for all the lower-paid salaries in smaller cities and towns.

Louisville is the capital after all. It is interesting to compare these figures to Tennessee to the south.

This neighbor state has a similar rate of employment – fair but not the best – but offered a higher mean in this period of $40,280.

If you’re wondering how to become a firefighter in Kentucky, just know it isn’t easy. The state rules and minimum department expectations mean that there are plenty of criteria to meet and processes to work through.

Some hopeful volunteers may find it more difficult than others. The rules on beards and language addressing women aren’t ideal for modern departments. Yet, there are plenty of opportunities for men and women of all backgrounds to train, build knowledge and progress in their career.

As long as you continue to work on your skills while maintaining that professional image, you should do pretty well in Kentucky.

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How To Become A Firefighter In Louisiana

The state of Louisiana poses several natural threats to its citizens. How to become a firefighter in Louisiana is a question posed by many aspiring firefighters in the state.

Flood warnings and major storms are a common problem, especially for those living near the delta and major flood plains.

The fire departments in Louisiana have their work cut out to handle major incidents including these floods, fires and other accidents across the state. It takes a good character and a lot of skill to become a qualified firefighter here.

How To Become A Firefighter In Louisiana

• High school diploma or GED
• Pass civil service exam and TABE examination
• Valid driver license
• Pass a background check

The requirements above are all pretty basic and apply to the majority of applicants looking to start as a firefighter in volunteer and career departments.

But, career departments, especially in major cities, can have far more expectations.

Below I will talk about some of the screening and testing that you might be subjected to in some departments. I will also talk about the training opportunities and some of the bigger city departments in the state.

Screening and testing processes in Louisiana

Screening processes in this state can be a grueling process that requires a lot of patience and a strong character.

Officials in many major fire departments will carry out a range of academic, physical and character tests to see how well candidates perform under pressure.

Following the standard civil service exam, recruits must handle the TABE test.

In a way, this overrides a small portion of the high school diploma requirement because they need to see your current levels of aptitude. You must prove you have 12th grade English and 10th grade math skills.

Then there is an 11 event physical ability test (CPAT) and a long firefighter interview process. During this time there is also drug screening, psychological screening and a background check for any criminal activity.

Some departments are tougher than others with their application process.

A good example of this is Baton Rogue, which likes to employ people with a lot of experience and education qualifications whenever possible.

They need the best and brightest from the start to avoid the need for too much on-the-job training. In this case, the department prefers to see people with a college education.

Therefore, those that have the desire to progress with a career position in this city – or any other major department – may be better off enrolling in a college course.

Also, Monroe requires a score of 75 on the Civil Service Entrance Exam. The standard passing score is 70 so they have much higher expectations for their new recruits.

Another point to raise here is how tough some departments are on physical ability and age.

For example, the Monroe Fire Department says that you have to be above 18 but no older than 37 when submitting your application. They don’t say why 37 is the cut-off age. There does have to be an upper limit on some physically demanding roles.

However, there are plenty of fit, intelligent 37-year-olds in Louisiana that are prepared to put in the training and college education for a change in career.

Firefighting in Louisiana

Firefighters here will have to handle many of the standard emergencies that all new recruits train for. All towns and cities will deal with major emergencies in the form of large fires, vehicle accidents and other life-threatening situations.

In Louisiana, this also means flooding. Flood defense and fire services in Louisiana are a crucial part of the fire service here.

Floods are a common problem in Louisiana and crews must remain on stand-by during times of bad weather. A bad flood can lead to the displacement of communities and evacuation procedures, as well as the need to pump the water out of streets and properties.

Any department in a flood plain must employ staff with the skills to handle this type of situation.  

Fire Academies in Louisiana

Many new recruits will go straight into their firefighter 1 and other essential training programs after passing their recruitment tests.

Others will need to have some basic skills and EMT certification first.

Monroe recruits get to enjoy what the department calls a “vigorous” military style training program for 18 weeks. Training options will depend on your current role and location.

You could train with your department or at a fire academy. There are also colleges across Louisiana that offer higher education in fire science. Associate degrees and other college credits are great in competitive districts where departments favor those with more knowledge.  

The following is a list of fire academies and colleges that offer firefighter training and certifications.

New Orleans: Delgado Community College

Shreveport: Southern University at Shreveport

Bridge City: Jefferson Parish Fire Training Center

Baton Rouge: LSU Fire and Emergency Training Institute

Eunice: Louisiana State University Eunice

New Orleans students can take part in a Fire Science Technology program at Delgado Community College.

Over at the Fire and Emergency Training Institute in Baton Rouge, there is a more intensive process. The Carrol L. Herring Fire & Emergency Training Institute covers 80 acres of land as part of the LSU campus.

It carries plenty of specialist training equipment to help new students learn about basic fire fighting skills.

There is also advanced technical training for hazardous materials, management skills and more. Options vary from the three-hour classes to the fourteen-week course. You can find out more about this opportunity by checking out this link.

Major Fire Departments in Louisiana

The following is a list of major fire departments in Louisiana and the requirements to apply and join each fire department.

How to Become A New Orleans Firefighter

• High school diploma or GED
• Pass civil service exam and TABE examination
• Valid driver license
• Pass a background check

I can’t start this section without discussing the most robust city of them all. New Orleans has one of the biggest fire departments in the state of Louisiana because of its population, density and location.

This vibrant city is packed full of residents and tourists and fire crews must be on call at all times to attend emergencies.

This is a city that loves a good carnival and late-night party and these residents and tourists all need round-the-clock protection.

How to Become A Baton Rouge Firefighter

• High school diploma or GED
• Pass civil service exam and TABE examination
• Valid driver license
• Pass a background check

The Baton Rouge fire department has a great claim to fame in that it was the first-ever to achieve the Class 1 rating.

Since then it has worked hard to maintain these standards and create a skilled, professional department. This isn’t surprising as it is the state capital.

The size of the city means that fire crews here need to look after around 225,370 people in a space of 85.93 square miles.

That is a densely packed area that is at risk of fire and flood. This is a department that will keep new candidates on their toes and set them up for a long career.

Learn more about their operations by following this link.

How to Become A Monroe, LA Firefighter

• High school diploma or GED
• Pass civil service exam and TABE examination
• Valid driver license
• Pass a background check

Baton Rouge isn’t the only highly-rated department in the state.

Louisiana also boasts enough Class 1 department in Monroe – giving it two of only 46 such departments in the country.

There are numerous divisions here including investigative, operations, prevention and training divisions.

The city may be smaller with around 48,000 people in an area of 32.55 square miles. But, it is home to a great training academy that could be a good place for new applicants to start out.

Learn more about the Monroe Fire Department here.

Job prospects for firefighters in Louisiana

There are pros and cons when looking at the job prospects for firefighters in Louisiana.

On the plus side, there are lots of positions in the state when looking at the number of available jobs. There were 3.25 firefighter jobs per 1000 people in 2018, which meant 6220 employed crew members.

This means large, well-staffed departments across the state that will always be on the lookout for fresh faces.

The downside here is that the average salary doesn’t reflect the amount of work that these firefighters have to deal with.

The mean annual wage here was just $30,600 for 2018.

To put that in a little more context, neighboring firefighters in Texas got an average of $52,520.

Then there is the city of Baton Rogue. This is slightly higher in Baton Rouge where the starting salary is currently set at $31,626 annually.

All new recruits should be aware that there is the potential for an additional $6,000 each year from the State of Louisiana.

This is a significant bonus for firefighters here and it shows how valued they are.

However, this is only available when recruits finish all of their training and probationary periods.

https://www.brla.gov/913/BRFD-Employment

In short, if you’re wondering how to become a firefighter in Louisiana, the hard work and strong expectations never diminish when you start your career here.

The initial application process is long as departments do their best to pick the best candidates and weed out those with unfavorable characteristics.

Once you make the cut, there is a lot of training ahead of you. It is important to learn as many skills as possible to progress with your career here and succeed in the department.

This means advanced knowledge of fire rescue and prevention but also work with flood emergencies.

Thankfully, there are lots of accredited colleges and fire academies to help you on this journey. Life as a Louisiana firefighter isn’t easy, but it is sure to be rewarding.

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From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/10/how-to-become-firefighter-in-louisiana.html

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What Is Firefighter Turnout Gear?

Whether you use the term bunker gear, PPE or turnout gear a lot of aspiring firefighters are left wondering what is firefighter turnout gear?  It’s a good question because it is arguably the most important piece(s) of equipment you will have. 

As a firefighter, you need all the protection you can get, and your turnout gear plays a vital role in protecting you against all the dangers of fire, smoke, cancer causing agents and other harmful materials.

Turnout gear has been around for the past hundred years or so.

Of course, a lot of improvements have taken place, and there is currently a broad range of full turnout gear in the United States and across the globe. But, what are different pieces fire protective equipment that make up a firefighter’s turnout gear?

So, what is firefighter turnout gear?

Today’s turnout gear is made of fire-resistant fabrics that mainly consist of Nomex and Kevlar. Generally, turnout gear may constitute a combination of hood, gloves, suspenders, trousers, boots, helmet and jacket.

Modern sets of gear typically use the jacket/trouser/helmet combination. Nomex fiber typically carbonizes and thickens when subjected to intense heat.

This helps to increase the protective barrier between the firefighter and the source of heat, helping to minimize burn injuries.

Nomex is also flame-resistant, flexible and tough. On the other hand, Kevlar is extremely strong, thermally protective, comfortable and highly lightweight.

When these two materials are used together, the result is superb thermal protection, durability, and unmatched strength.

It is imperative to note that the United States follows the NFPA 1975, which offers standard guidelines on work uniforms for firefighters.

Following this regulation, all turnout gear should feature three components including, an outer cover or shell, a moisture barrier as well as a thermal barrier.

Between these three layers there exist pockets of air usually referred to as dead zones. Together with the three layers of protection, the dead zones help to further insulate the firefighter from the extreme dangers of fire.

You’ll always find turnout pants outfitted with leather cuffs and reinforced knees. As we previously mentioned, the materials used for the three layers in firefighter suits may vary but will usually include the Kevlar/Nomex combination of material.

Fire Helmets:

Previously, the fire helmet’s primary function was to shed water.

However, thanks to the advancements in technology, today’s fire helmets are specifically designed to offer protection to the fireman’s head against the falling debris.

The secondary job of the helmet is to offer protection against heat. Generally, it offers a hard shell, heat, electrical and steam burn protection and equally shields the eye from the various elements of fire and debris.

It should be noted that helmets are made from various types of materials including plastic and carbon fiber for a comfortable and lightweight design, non-conductive materials to offer protection against electrical currents and a Kevlar layer for protection and strength.

The helmet designs usually vary slightly by manufacturer. You’ll find that some helmets feature a faceguard to protect you from dust, heat, debris, and water, especially when you are working on an extraction call.

It’s important to note that when helmets are not able to offer built-in protection for firefighter’s neck, ears as well as part of your face, firefighters also use firefighting protective hood. These flash hoods are usually made from Nomex Knit fabric.

Bunker pants:

These are important gear and will protect you from heat and steam burns.

The latest technology has made them relatively lighter and certain fire pants feature a built-in harness system that helps to eliminate the need for extra hardware.

They feature uniquely reinforced knees and form inserts to help you crawl freely without the fear of injury and burns.

Other notable features that help make this type of protective equipment more effective and comfortable include ripcord suspenders, gusseted cargo pockets, zippered pant legs and perhaps stretch waistbands.

Firefighter boots:

These are equally essential protective gear and are usually made of leather or rubber with a steel toe insert.

Firefighter boots are intended to protect your feet against puncture wounds, fire and water damages. They are mostly made of leather, which is a fire-resistant material. The boots also feature removable washable foot beds, reflective material to enhance visibility.

We wrote a review on the best station boots for firefighters which can be found by clicking the link.

Turnout coat:

This is the largest and arguably the most important item in your safety wardrobe as a fireman.

Extra-large jackets enable firemen to carry equipment and tools, whereas the reflective safety stripes on these jackets ensure that firemen remain visible to each other even when performing their duties.

Firefighter turnout jackets usually are sewn with unique items to make them suitable for the job.

For instance, they feature special wrist guards to help protect your exposed skin between the edge of the glove and the sleeve. They are designed to prevent wrist burns, while at the same time remaining flexible and preventing bunching.

Also, the collars feature a special stitching technique to ensure that the collar remains up at all times to protect your throat and the back of the neck against potential dangers.

The back and chest parts of the jacket are fitted with a special insulation to help protect you from burns. Firefighter jackets usually are made from Kevlar and Nomex materials.

Firefighting Gloves:

As a firefighter, gloves will be an important part of your turnout gear. This is because you will be constantly using your hands to rescue people out of fires, move and lift items that have caught fire or are smoldering.

What’s more, the chances of coming into contact with potentially harmful substances are also higher and this is why you must protect your hands.

As a firefighter, you will always have to respond to other emergencies other than fire incidences. Other emergencies that you may have to contend with include car accidents, hazardous material spills, riots, and perhaps marine accidents and many more.

This means that the type of gloves you’ll need will likely depend upon the emergency at hand.

Additional fire safety gear you may need could include items such as goggles, backpacks, masks and oxygen tanks, hazmat suits and flashlights.

A brief history of firefighter turnout gear

As I’m sure you already know firefighters are professionals who risk their own lives to protect citizens and property from fire.

Fires are known to destroy billions of dollars’ worth of private and public property every year. This obviously implies that firefighting, as a profession, is an incredibly dangerous occupation.

In addition to combating actual fires, firemen must also contend with water, smoke, hot embers, collapsing floors and falling objects.

Firefighters perform their tasks under stressful time constraints, considering that they only have a few minutes or perhaps seconds to safely evacuate occupants out of burning buildings.

Historically, firemen didn’t have the same level of fire gear used today. For this reason, most fires used to be fought only from the outside of structures, which were rarely ever entered.

The main purpose of these old firefighter protective equipment was to provide warmth and dryness as opposed to offering protection against fire and its components.

During the nineteenth century, felt caps were put on and were more of a decorative purpose than for protection. This type of fire gear never offered any form of protection against heat even though it did prevent water from affecting the firemen’s faces.

Over the years, the overall design, as well as the functionality of turnout gear for firefighters, has undergone a lot of positive transformations, and we now have highly effective equipment that not only offer the much-needed comfort during tough fire rescue operations, but have equally made it very feasible to enter a burning building.

The post What Is Firefighter Turnout Gear? appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/what-is-firefighter-turnout-gear/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/10/what-is-firefighter-turnout-gear.html

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What Is A Firefighter Engineer?

What is a firefighter engineer? It’s a question posed by a lot of new firefighters.  This makes sense as it’s not something that usually comes to mind when think of typical fire service personnel. 

The complexity of modern fire service has increased and with that there are more professional skills required in the world of firefighting. From rural, urban settings to aboard ships, firemen have become a staple in modern society.

Though there are numerous career specialties within firefighting, a firefighter engineer is arguably one of the most sought after and complex areas of specialization out there.

So, what exactly is a firefighter engineer?

The engineer is an expert who is responsible for the operation, maintenance as well as the driving of the fire apparatus. These apparatus include fire engines, ladder trucks, rescue trucks and others.

As an engineer fireman, you will be charged with the responsibility of driving the vehicle that transports firemen and pumps water via the fire pump and hoses at the fire scene.

You’ll also be required to repair and maintain various firefighting apparatus. You’ll have to ensure that the vehicle’s engine is in tip-top condition, there is sufficient fuel in the gas tank, all the tools and equipment are effectively cleaned and maintained after every major call.

It is also imperative to mention that as a firefighter engineer, you’ll have to first respond to medical emergencies and offer pre-hospital care to victims of accidents at an ALS/BLS level according to your current level of EMS certification.

You can clearly tell that this is a job that demands lots of technical know-how.

Besides, you must possess some leadership skills as well as management skills because you’ll mostly perform your duties in highly stressful circumstances.

Remember, if you’re crew members are in a fire, they need water and it will be your responsibility to provide that to them.

What’s involved in firefighter engineer training?

If you are looking to become a fire engineer, you must first complete a training program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, (ABET).

Usually, the topics taught in any firefighter engineer training program may include fire detection, modeling, protection, and safety techniques, risk analysis, equipment operation and maintenance, fire barriers, smoke management, assessment methods and pump operations.

The training process is usually divided into intensive class-work and fieldwork aimed at putting your classroom learned skills to real-world job scenarios.

You’ll also learn to analyze both state and local trends in code compliance, establish the link between various building materials and ignition sources, use the computer to successfully evaluate findings and perhaps how to compile data on fire retardants.

How to become a firefighter engineer?

• You must be a holder of a high school diploma or the equivalent GED.
• You must have at least two years of experience as a firefighter.
• At least two years of experience as a certified AEMT, EMT or paramedic (depending on your department).
• Must prove state-mandated continuing education standards, including the current American Heart Association certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic life support as well as Pediatric Advanced Life Support, or equivalent.
• Must have completed department’s emergency driving classes.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Should have certification as an Apparatus Driver Operator.

Though the requirements are likely to vary from departments to department, firefighter engineers typically should have a post-secondary certificate in fire science, which can be acquired from a number of different community colleges and fire academies.

However, you should be aware of the fact that some departments may only require you to have a high school diploma.

You must also be a minimum age of 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and pass all the tests including drug screening, physical and medical examinations.

As a firefighter engineer, you will also need to have a special license that shows you can drive the unique firefighting equipment, which mandates fire service experience, exclusive training on fire vehicles and passing written exams.

Though licensure is not always a priority to become a firefighter engineer, you should get licensed, especially if you want to work independently rather than under the guidance of a professional senior engineer.

To become a licensed engineer, you must take and pass the Fundamentals of an Engineering test. You can then apply for licensure from the jurisdiction in which you want to work.

Keeping in mind that a firefighter engineer’s job entails lots of hands-on experience, any aspiring fire engineer must acquire hands-on job experience by joining a fire academy.

A lot of departments will also require that you have a minimum of four years of field experience, which is usually gained at the department where you currently work.

Apart from the above requirements, engineer firefighters are also required to possess some special skills and abilities including:

• You must have considerable knowledge and understanding of medical and fire equipment, tools, fire ladders and you must also know how to care for and maintain these pieces of equipment.
• You must have the ability to deal with high levels of stress and maintain your composure under a broad range of adverse conditions, witnessing critical injuries and death and experiencing a risk of personal injury or harm.
• Ability to execute appropriate judgment related to procedures and tactics of firefighting and emergency medical services.
• You must have the ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally.
• You must know how to operate and drive fire trucks of all sizes and types. What’s more, you should be highly knowledgeable about the applicable laws, codes, and regulations related to driving and operating all these apparatuses.

What are the duties of a firefighter engineer?

• Responding to emergency fire, medical and calamitous material alarms.
• Drive fire apparatus, ladder truck, engines, tower, and more.
• Ensure the vehicles and equipment and highly maintained and are ready for work. You’ll also have to carry out regular and emergency repairs, transport firefighting personnel safely to fire and emergency areas, operate firefighting apparatus, nozzles, pumps and supply extinguishing agents at scenes.
• Maintain the daily log of apparatus and equipment.
• Be part of training drills and training sessions as required by the department.
• To operate heavy extraction machines such as spreaders, special saws, pneumatic cutters, and hydraulically powered cutters.
• Participate in routine physical training.
• Participate in public education programs in schools and civic groups as required.
• Participate in life and fire safety inspections of both residential and commercial properties and examine the operating conditions of hydrants.
• Perform general cleaning and maintenance of various equipment and fire station.
• Conduct departmental training programs in civic groups, schools, and other locations as requested.
• Transfer, lift or move patients while practicing the appropriate lifting and safety techniques.
• Operate and drive fire apparatus according to the procedures outlined by your fire department.
• Take part in salvage operation as well as post-fire operations and use the relevant equipment to limit property damage from smoke, heat, water, and gasses.
• Use the city computer system for effective patient care documentation, pre-incident planning, and record-keeping.

Initial firefighting knowledge and skills are usually taught at the local, regional as well as in state-approved fire academies.

Depending on the demands of a particular fire department, extra skills and certifications including pre-hospital EMS and technical rescue can also be acquired during this time.

The post What Is A Firefighter Engineer? appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/what-is-a-firefighter-engineer/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/10/what-is-firefighter-engineer.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/10/16/what-is-a-firefighter-engineer/