school me on bunker gear

L

Light It Up

Member
Jun 19, 2011
568
bk ny
hey all,


i lately i have been looking in to bunker/turnout gear,


but i no little about it, with all the brands and specs out there i dont no what to be looking for


like i no some of the bigger brands and features, just dont no what to stay away from what is a most with regards to gear etc


thanks so much
 
Bunker gear is made up of three parts: the outer shell, the moisture barrier, and the inner liner. You have a myriad of options for each of these three parts, so it's really difficult to say what's best. All of the turnout manufacturers (Janesville, Globe, Morning Pride, FireDex, etc, etc) are purchasing their three parts from the same suppliers, it's just how the TOG manufacturer cuts and sews their gear.


Asking what's best and what to stay away from is almost of vague as asking, "I'm think of getting a pickup truck, which is best?"


Are you on a fire department?
 
Travelin Man said:
Bunker gear is made up of three parts: the outer shell, the moisture barrier, and the inner liner. You have a myriad of options for each of these three parts, so it's really difficult to say what's best. All of the turnout manufacturers (Janesville, Globe, Morning Pride, FireDex, etc, etc) are purchasing their three parts from the same suppliers, it's just how the TOG manufacturer cuts and sews their gear.

Asking what's best and what to stay away from is almost of vague as asking, "I'm think of getting a pickup truck, which is best?"


Are you on a fire department?
Click to expand...

no, i am a emt and just want to have a set in my trunk in case


when i say best i mean are there any specific features i should look for, or any brands that are junk


from what i read online about gear they all seem to have dif features which what i am trying to learn about


thanks so much thus far your info has been a great help
 
All of the gear made in the last 10 years or so meets the NFPA spec's for when It was made, you just have to look on the NFPA tag, to see what revision of the spec it falls under. If it doesn't have a NFPA tag, don't buy it.


Different manufactuers have different options, but anything in the last 10 years should be good for the ocasional extrication, make sure it has enough reflective striping on it, or you will have to wear a reflective vest with it, when you are on the highway.


Clarence
 
Can one of the departments you work with outfit you?
 
Clarence H said:
All of the gear made in the last 10 years or so meets the NFPA spec's for when It was made, you just have to look on the NFPA tag, to see what revision of the spec it falls under. If it doesn't have a NFPA tag, don't buy it.
Different manufactuers have different options, but anything in the last 10 years should be good for the ocasional extrication, make sure it has enough reflective striping on it, or you will have to wear a reflective vest with it, when you are on the highway.


Clarence
Click to expand...

clarence,


thanks so much for your info great help

JazzDad said:
Can one of the departments you work with outfit you?
Click to expand...

jazzdad,


nope they are super cheap!!!


we dont do many mva's, hence why i am looking to buy my own set
 
If the only thing you want it for is extrication i would recommend buying an extrication jumpsuit or you can get it in a pair of pants and coat. Just make sure they meet NFPA. You can pick up a pair of extrication gloves and a helmet with eye protection from plenty of websites or just keep an eye out on here. I recommend anything Globe/cairns that’s what i have used for many years and they make a great set of gear. (Ok guys let’s not turn this into a fight over who makes the best stuff) I would recommend whatever you get make sure it protects you from blood born as well. The good thing about this lighter weight gear is you won’t mind putting it on for regular EMS runs if you want to. Good luck and just take some time and look for a good price buying used isn't always a bad thing as long as it is in the 10 year mark.
 
I second LTSQUIRREL.


If you are only doing extrications, get an extrication "suit". You don't need the thermal barrier, or the expense of structural firefighting turnouts.


Also, find a local supply store and try some gear on. The sizing of all the different manufacturers varies greatly.


Once you purchase your gear, get a good storage bag. Make sure the bag can breath, and has UV protection to protect your gear. The UV rays from the sun will destroy your gear if you leave it exposed in the back of your car or SUV.


Personally, I'm a big fan of Globe. They turned around my department's order in 3 days last fall when we lost our gear when our firehouse was flooded in Tropical Storm Irene.


Also, be prepared to pay some seruious money for the better gear.
 
LTSQUIRREL said:
If the only thing you want it for is extrication i would recommend buying an extrication jumpsuit or you can get it in a pair of pants and coat. Just make sure they meet NFPA. You can pick up a pair of extrication gloves and a helmet with eye protection from plenty of websites or just keep an eye out on here. I recommend anything Globe/cairns that’s what i have used for many years and they make a great set of gear. (Ok guys let’s not turn this into a fight over who makes the best stuff) I would recommend whatever you get make sure it protects you from blood born as well. The good thing about this lighter weight gear is you won’t mind putting it on for regular EMS runs if you want to. Good luck and just take some time and look for a good price buying used isn't always a bad thing as long as it is in the 10 year mark.
Click to expand...

i have very strongly considered a extrication suit, but it seems like i can get just as good a deal on a full set of bunker gear


the blood born is a great points thanks!!


thanks so much for the info

VTfireftr said:
I second LTSQUIRREL.


If you are only doing extrications, get an extrication "suit". You don't need the thermal barrier, or the expense of structural firefighting turnouts.


valid points


Also, find a local supply store and try some gear on. The sizing of all the different manufacturers varies greatly.


great great idea thanks!!!!!


Once you purchase your gear, get a good storage bag. Make sure the bag can breath, and has UV protection to protect your gear. The UV rays from the sun will destroy your gear if you leave it exposed in the back of your car or SUV.


thats a point i did not think of i will take that in to advisement


Personally, I'm a big fan of Globe. They turned around my department's order in 3 days last fall when we lost our gear when our firehouse was flooded in Tropical Storm Irene.


Also, be prepared to pay some seruious money for the better gear.
Click to expand...

great great idea thanks!!!!!


Once you purchase your gear, get a good storage bag. Make sure the bag can breath, and has UV protection to protect your gear. The UV rays from the sun will destroy your gear if you leave it exposed in the back of your car or SUV.


thats a point i did not think of i will take that in to advisement


thanks so much for all the info guys awesome input
 
As far as price and what you are going to do with it, I would go with a jump suit that has the same outer shell as structural gear. I pay $1600 a set for my Globe gear I buy for my department, thats not boots or helmets thats just coat and pants. The jump suits will protect you from flashfires like you might encounter and give you reflective material as well.


Like others have said find you a local dealer and try it out, then if you have more questions ask the salesman or comeback here, there are planty of people that can help.
 
To the OP: If you're not going to be doing structural firefighting, don't buy structural firefighting gear. It's incredibly expensive, difficult to move in with dexterity, difficult to clean correctly, and hotter than hell to wear for any length of time. If you're using it primarily for extrication or being in the area of a fire, but not directly involved in suppression, most extrication suits or sets (you can find them together or separate) have some fire protection qualities built in (I.E. nomex, etc.) They're way more comfortable to wear than bunker gear, cheaper, and can usually just be tossed in the washer without excessive worry about which detergent you're using, the water temperature, separating liners, etc. Just my $0.02.


... Also, in response to an earlier post, unless what you buy is ANSI 2 or 3 compliant as far as striping goes, you'll still have to have a separate compliant vest to meet requirements to operate on a roadway.
 
went to a shop, bunker gear is OUT you all were right its heavy hot and nasty


maybe i will just get a basic suit


thanks so much for all the awesome input and advice!!!!!
 
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