I am going in for firefighting. I was wondering what do they wear under the gear? How much does the gear weight?
What do firefighter's wear under their gear?
What is your opinion?
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Guru Age: 57 , mho 43%+1 yEveryone is different.
I wore regular underwear, boxer briefs) a T shirt (in all weather) & a work type pants.
I was one of the few that wore my wool liner & rubber liner under my bunker coat.
I wore full length boots over my bunker pants along with the liner.
My bunker coat probably weighed 15 lbs. My pants about 10.
You have to add your SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) about 20 lbs. when inside fighting a fire.
When I was a truckie. The guy on the ladder truck. I pretty much wore the same as I may be called upon to go in & assist with the engine co.
After the fire was out I would walk straight over to the ambulance for 2 liters of saline water & an ice pack. One to drink, one to pour over my head & an ice pack to put on the back of my head (on my brain)
Most times they had it ready for me.
You'll do fine. Your legs carry most of the weight. You'll be surprised how much weight they can carry.080 Reply- Asker+1 y
Wow, thank you. Is it against a rule to wear nothing but underwear under the bunker?
- +1 y
Not that I know of. I found that if I just wore underwear with my bunker pants they had a tendency to almost come off. I think almost everyone wears pants. I slept with mine on.
- Asker+1 y
Wow, awesome! Could you tell me about some of your experiences, as in the scariest fire, longest fire, fatalities. How close do you work with policemen and paramedics? I think people like you are awesome; putting your life on the line like that!
- +1 y
Basement fires are bad, they're hard to ventilate
It seems like fires only occur when it's really hot or freezing cold outside.
The longest but not the most dangerous was an attic fire. We boxed that fire & lost the roof.
Christmas is THE worst. People buy trees, stick them in a corner, hang cheap lights on them. blow heat on them & don't water them.
Gee why did my tree start on fire!
Police are there mostly for traffic control. The good cops will help you straighten a hose.or anything easy - +1 y
Part 2.
There are sometimes minor injuries. One person took his own life by letting the car run in a garage. The car started on fire, starting the garage on fire.
There's always the unfortunate people that take their own lives in many different ways. The worst was a young girl drank a bottle of wine then laid down on a train track. A cigarette filter was still in her fingers.
You'll do fine. Nobody expects you to look at the gore for a while. You must back up your partner in a fire. - Asker+1 y
= ) Thank you.
How does one get on the emergency squad? - +1 y
I'm not sure what you mean by "emergency squad"
In most cities all FF have to be Paramedics. It's best if you go to school & have your license.
As far as assignments go you would go to a FF academy. After that you will be assigned specific duties. Probably starting out on an engine company. After that you can put in requests for your duties. Engineer, the person that operates the pump on the engine. Ladder co. etc
Most times an engine is called out to assist on calls like the RR track incident. - Asker+1 y
Oh, I see. When I say emergency squad, is that the part of the Fire department that deals with nuclear waste?
- +1 y
Oh. That would be a "Haz mat" (hazardous materials)
Depending on what it is especially nuclear waste the Chief would call in a Federal agency.
I don't know which one - Asker+1 y
In that situation the firemen would step completely back?
- +1 y
Try to contain the area. The Federal govt. moves quickly in those cases.
If someone hits a gas meter we either watch the fire (until the gas co arrives) to make sure it doesn't spread. You can see the flames you can't see how much how far the gas is going if you put out the flames. If there isn't a flame it may be as simple as shutting off the meter or sticking a broom handle in the pipe.
A gas pump is different. we wash down the area with thousands of gallons of water then call the city to... - +1 y
let them know toxic water is heading to the sanitation station
- Asker+1 y
Ohhh, are there a lot of busy days for you? What can you do if you're at the station on a slow day?
Are there any T.V's? x D - +1 y
Yes. There are usually 2 TVs One playing a DVD & the other to turn on whatever you want.
We have pretty comfortable chairs.
There's a small weight room, a few treadmills & some other misc. eq.
You can play cards, games or whatever the group is up for. - Asker+1 y
Awesome, about the turnout gear, has there ever been a time where you leaf work and went directly to a resturant or something wearing it?
- +1 y
No.
If anything just my FD T shirt & pants. They need to be washed anyway. - Asker+1 y
Hmm ... okay. How are you supposed to was turn out gear?
- +1 y
I'm not sure of your question. My boots & bunker pants are next to my bed, my coat & helmet are hanging on the truck. During the day they are next to the truck.
When I'm going off duty I store them in my locker. It's an open locker. I keep my gear & a few misc items there, like extra batteries, gloves & hood. I keep a collapsible spanner wrench in my pocket. Oh yeah some chew too. - Asker+1 y
Oh, I'm sorry. I made a typing error. I meant how do you wash your turn-out gear?
- +1 y
I see.
I don't do much with my bunker coat or pants. Just hose them off. I use a washing machine for the liners when I think of it, because I sweat so much. The visor on my helmet I just use a wet cloth or maybe some Windex.
Most people don't even do that. - Asker+1 y
Oh, okay. Do they make different bunker gear for women or is the bunker gear a uni-sex thing?
- +1 y
Unisex. The size & fit is all that matters.
I never paid attention to the suspenders for the bunker pants.
I guess Suspenders are suspenders. They're adjustable so I'm assuming one size fits all.
Same for the apparatus belt. Size of course & then it's a matter of what you think you may want to carry on it. - Asker+1 y
Okay, are you assigned kitchen duty at times? Lol, yes that was random!
- +1 y
We try to take turns. Some people like to cook & others aren't to good at it.
You can have something delivered or just eat a sandwich. The shift buys the food for lunch & dinner.
You're on your own for breakfast because your either just arriving or leaving. - Asker+1 y
Wow, do you like to cook?
- +1 y
No. I'll do something like pasta, sandwiches or Pizza.
We can grill food but we don't. It takes time to get the food off the grill so we would just close the lid & let it burn or throw water on the grill. If I cooked on the grill I would have 2 buckets of water, my bunker pants & boots on making up for the time it took me to throw water on the grill - Asker+1 y
Wow, did you order out a lot? Pizza on a daily basis sounds awesome to me!
- +1 y
Depending on the firehouse there are approximately 12- 15 guys. We work every 3rd day. Your turn only comes up every other month or so.
When we go on a "change of quarters" call sometimes we help ourselves to what they were going to eat. On a "change" call they won't be back for a long time so the food would go bad anyway. - Asker+1 y
Okay, what is a change call?
- +1 y
Oh, A change of quarters is when one firehouse goes out with all of their engines & truck to a "working fire" Not to leave that area or neighborhood unprotected a change of quarters is called. One or more engines or trucks from other stations go to that firehouse to protect that area in case of another call.
- Asker+1 y
Oh, what is the longest fir you had to fight?
- +1 y
Sometimes pouring water on a fire seems to make it burn longer. In a city you can't just let it burn out or down because you have to protect the neighbors houses. Maybe 10 hrs. After the fire is out we have to go in & "overhaul" the structure looking for "hot spots" That's simply pulling down the ceilings & checking to make sure that all small fires or embers are out so they can't reignite another fire.
If it was a smaller fire we ventilate (use fans) to get the smoke out of the house. - Asker+1 y
Wow, how long were you a firefighter?
- +1 y
a few years. I gave it up for several reasons. One was money.
- Asker+1 y
Oh, okay. where there any women firefighters in your station?
I keep thinking about what if the station I'm put in has men-only bathrooms? x D - +1 y
Yes, one. In the bunkhouse where we slept there was a clothesline & a heavy sheet pulled across it at night.
She either showered 1st or last. Usually 1st. No point in letting her wait for all of us to finish.
As far as the washroom went we would knock open the door only a little & announce ourselves.
Some visiting lady FF were not as prude as others but protocol was for a man not to be in the washroom if a lady was using it. - Asker+1 y
Okay, that's cool. Umm ... those boots. What are they made out of? Do they have to be steel-toed?
- +1 y
They are rubber. I don't think any special rubber but they are thick, yet playable enough to fold them in half . Yes they are steel toe boots. They have a heel to. The heal keeps your foot from sliding forward on a ladder.
- Asker+1 y
Okay, those pants and that jacket, what are they made out of? I am so impressed at how they can be so thick and still hold out heat.
- Asker+1 y
Oh yeah, does it matter what color turn-out a firefighter wears? = )
- +1 y
most newer ones are made from a Nomex/Kevlar blend. They do hold out heat to a point.That's why I wore both liners.The trick is how the water is used. Just like with a garden hose you can use make a heavy stream & that's used outside. Inside a fan pattern is used to put a water wall between you, the fire & heat. There is some cool air from the water. As you get closer to the fire it turns to hot water then you move the handle switching to stream to knock down the fire. You really can't see...
- +1 y
anything because of the smoke. All you see is an orange glow from the fire.
Turn out gear is decided by the dept. Of course you'll be issued what they are wearing. If a change is being made sometimes it's voted on. Other times a company will cut the cost of a certain coat. We wore black W/ a yellow florescent stripe. Some wear black with a white florescent stripe yet others wear a yellow coat with a colored stripe. Some areas are going with the neon green/yellow fire trucks.
- +1 y
link
There are some tricks that you will learn at the academy. One is before using a fan (ventilator) to ventilate a room you can use the fire hose. Place it out the window turn it on using a fan pattern & the vacuum of the water will pull out a lot of smoke.
You need to keep in touch with & the engineer ( the guy driving & operating the trucks water pump for pressure) He will determine the amount of pressure that the hydrant is providing & adjust the pump. - Asker+1 y
I thank you so much. You have been an phenomenal source of information. I wish you could be my fire chief. x D
- +1 y
You'll do fine. FF unlike other trades teach & help everyone. We want you to learn & we need you to learn.
Good Luck. Any more ?'s ask.
Let me know when you start your training. - Asker+1 y
Okay, I will.
- Asker+1 y
I have a question. I am not sure if I asked you this before, but, if I wear glasses, will I still be able to be a firefighter? I don't know what my uncorrected vision is.
- +1 y
Yes you still can. Most people wear contacts. link
There's a lot of smoke in a real fire so you can't see anyway. After that it's mostly cleanup & overhauling. If & when you ever decided to work on the truck you need to be able to have enough depth perception to climb the ladder safely.
Next time your at the eye Dr. ask what your uncorrected vision is.
I've gone in without contacts & I've seen a guy lose one from time to time. - Asker+1 y
Wow, what is overhaul?
- +1 y
After the fires out we go to where the fire originated, pull down the ceiling & walls. We also turn over any debris to look for hot spots. We try to cover furniture to protect it from any water that may be dripping or any standing water.
- Asker+1 y
Wow,that sounds so cool. Can police officers help fight the fires, like if it called for it?
I know that may be a random question. - +1 y
No. They are mostly there for crowd, traffic control & in some instances to stop looting or vandalism of either the citizens property or our property. There is a drug box on the ambulance that some may want to get their hands on.
If your having trouble straightening a hose or pulling a bed or even opening a hydrant then yes for a few minutes a cop can help. Something simple & something that will not distract them for too long.
If called for we will "Box" the fire for more FF - Asker+1 y
Awesome, what about the paramedics? Do they ever have to help, or are they gone as fast as they arrive?
- +1 y
That team was usually "available or in service on the scene" Meaning that they were available if a resident needed the ambulance. Yes they would help with menial chores outside but not getting too involved in case they needed to help a resident. They had to be careful of where they parked so they didn't get blocked in by hoses & eq.
- Asker+1 y
Oh, I see. Did you ever have to ride in an ambulance with someone, as in a victim of the fire?
- +1 y
Yes & no.
I have ridden in the ambulance with victims but thankfully not from a fire. One thing that comes to mind is a young girl was putting gas in her car. I have no idea how she squirted gas on her face & in her eyes. The FD was called out as a "wash down" (to was down the gas on the gas station driveway) 2 people were needed to keep pouring water in this girls eyes & of course one to drive. - Asker+1 y
O . O Wowwww! How severe were the burns?
- +1 y
causing it to catch on fire. We were unaware of him being in the car until we extinguished the garage fire. His skin looked like melted candle wax. We saw that he was obviously dead, called in the police detectives & an M.E. (Medical Examiner)
- +1 y
The poor girl sprayed herself in the face & eyes with gas. Luckily she didn't get burned. We kept pouring water in her eyes all the way to the hospital. It was a very long 10 minutes. I was & am a goofy person. I would stand on the frame of the stretcher riding on it doing CPR or in this case pouring water while the other 2 pushed.
The only burn victim I saw was a young man that unfortunately committed suicide in his garage.
After he expired his foot went down on the accelerator of the car ... - Asker+1 y
Oh,my. That is sad. Have you ever cried? I pretty sure I would.
- +1 y
No, I haven't that I remember.
I did learn to have more compassion for protecting peoples belongings. Yes insurance covers almost everything but not the sentimental value of Grandmas old chest or the trophy you may have won can't be replaced - Asker+1 y
Yeah, that is true. Have you every worked with firefighters that were hard to get along with?
- +1 y
Not everyone has the same interests. Some get along better then others.
You only talk about the necessary things
You overlook a lot of that because everyone needs the other guy to watch his back.
Those are the guys that we don't go to breakfast with after our shift or meet with our friends for dinner. - Asker+1 y
Oh, Have you ever gotten into an argument with a cheif or something?
- +1 y
You don't argue with the Chief no matter what. It's not quite as bad as the military but you are told what to do by Lieutenants, Captions & any other higher rank.
Unlike the military you can ask to sit down with anyone of them and ask nicely to help you understand this particular issue.
I did once & the battalion Chief told me that when I get to be Chief I can do it my way.
End of meeting ;) - Asker+1 y
Wow, are they intimidating?
- +1 y
No.
They do have more experience & what works they usually stick with.
People have said "don't try to reinvent the wheel" This is wrong! Think outside the box.
When fighting a fire you do need to follow systems that work & have kept FF safe for many, many years.
The majority of them have gotten a lot of FF training in the Navy. - Asker+1 y
Okay, I wish I could meet you in real life. I think firefighters are great!
- +1 y
You will be a FF & you will be great. Everyone loves a FF, most hate cops.
Are you still thinking of going into the military? Have you talked to recruiters? I personally would rather be a Marine but the Navy may offer a lot of training as a FF.
I wish I knew a way you could go to a burn tower to experience this 1st hand before you commit to the Navy.
Do they have any FF cadets where you live? - Asker+1 y
I want to cry. You are so sweet. =** D
Yes, I am still going in. I take the entrance exam in 2 weeks. I am going into the Air Force though.
I am not sure about the fire cadets. I am going to ask for sure!
Gosh, I wish I could meet you SOOOO BAAAD! I want to ask for firefighter's autographs at times.LOL - +1 y
Don't cry. All FF are nice. We all want to share our knowledge.
Good luck in the Air Force. What are you going to take? Do they have FF in the air force?
Some how some where there must be a way for you to at least observe a burn tower.
Call or stop by your local Fire District & tell them your going into the Air Force, you want to be a FF. Is there any way you could observe or possibly participate in a burn tower. - Asker+1 y
Yes, they have firefighters in the Air Force. What is a burn tower? Do we put it out?
- +1 y
always next to the front door. Never get up until you feel (with your hands) that you are outside.
- +1 y
Burn Tower is a tower or building about 5 stories tall. It's made of cement & concrete block. All things that don't burn. Each floor may be set up a little differently but basically it's like an apartment. Old furniture or shipping pallets are used to start on fire. Then a team will go in & extinguish the blaze going up stairs & entering the apt. A team ventilates that floor from the outside.
Sometimes they are just filled with smoke so you can try to find your way out. REMEMBER closets are - Asker+1 y
Wow, is that the hardest fire to put out? Are there any windows?
- +1 y
Yes there are windows but not glass so the teams that are drilling can open them again & again.
Basement fires are the hardest to put out. Small windows or glass block windows make it tough to ventilate.
Remember what I told you about the closet always being by the front door. I actually got lost in one once. I thought I was at the front door & went into the closet. You can't see so it's easy to get disoriented. Follow the hose ALL THE WAY OUT the front door.
You'll see when your drilling in AF - +1 y
Make sure you keep in touch to let me know how the AF is.
Any more questions feel free to ask. - Asker+1 y
Okay, I will. Thank you so much. I would hug you if I could. So here goes. *SUPER HUG*
- +1 y
thank you. I know you'll do great.
Keep in touch here or when your in the AF if it's easier give me your e mail. You can make one up if it makes you feel safer. - Asker+1 y
Okay
Most Helpful Opinions
- Xper 5 Age: 31 , mho 54%+1 y
while I did fire explorers (teaches how to become a fire fighter with just the basics, not an actual course, just something for students wanting to know what its like) we wore our class c or b, black pants with either a t-shirt or collared shirt under it. It doesn't weigh a ton, but it does weigh alot, unless you have the air tank on you, then yea it gets pretty heavy.
02 Reply- Asker+1 y
Wow, that doesn't sound bad at all!
- +1 y
well yea, if you don't mind being super hot under all those clothes lol
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I assume they wear those department T-shirts underneath? Ask one when you get there, I'm sure it's not that big of an adjustment to put something on or wear what they give you.
00 Reply- 01 Reply
- Asker+1 y
Thank you so much!
- 907 opinions shared on Society & Politics topic. Guru Age: 57 , mho 43%+1 y
Thanks for BA.
I'm looking forward to hearing about you being a fly-boy & a FF
Get use to that term. that's what people in the AF are called00 Reply Some kind of easy to wash underwear I guess.
01 Reply- Asker+1 y
Yeah
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