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:: Protective Clothing
with Jeff McCulloch |
History 1996-2004
In 1996 the Fire Service decided against all advice from operational
staff, to buy Ballyclare level 2 instead of the far superior Bristol
Uniforms level 2.
We then had approximately 7 years using sub standard clothing.
In about 2001 the Fire Service started to evaluate new level 2
clothing under the direction of a committee formed under the
direction of Brian Butt, who was replaced by Chris Nicol. This
committee consisted of Jon Graham as the National Commanders rep,
Jeff McCulloch representing the NZPFU and Chrissie Pappafloratos
from the Contracts Division of National HQ. This committee worked
under the guidance of a larger committee consisting of members from
the operational and non-operational side of the Fire Service.
After extensive trials held in Auckland and carried out by
operational staff from around the country, the decision was made to
purchase Lion Apparel level 2 clothing. This was issued initially to
all paid operational staff and about 400 of the busiest Volunteers
in the country.
Over the last year Lion clothing has gradually started to replace
the Ballyclare clothing and that is slowly disappearing from our
members backs.
In 2001 the Fire Service did some trials of Structural Firefighting
Helmets, Boots and Gloves.
A number of different types of these items were worn for extended
periods by the same team who evaluated the Level 2 clothing. At the
end of the trial, certain manufacturers products, in particular
helmets had been identified as having merit for further field
trials.
However when the results of these trials were communicated to the
Fire Service, the immediate reaction was “No they are too
expensive". This in spite of the Fire Services stated position of
only providing the best equipment for its firefighters.
Since then many meetings of the Uniform and Protective Clothing
Committee have been held, any many words have been exchanged. This
has resulted in the helmets and boots having placed on the back
burner, while the introduction of the “Queensland” shirt has taken
place. It would make an interesting exercise for someone to work out
how many helmets and boots could have been purchased for the cost of
replacing the light blue shirts.
The only thing to come out of nearly 3 years is the Shelby Glove has
been replaced by a more flexible but still as protective, Lion
Apparel glove.
Soon the replacement of the light blue shirts will commence in
Invercargill, and we will all benefit from looking like our brothers
in Queensland.
Members should know that the replacement shirts are not protective
clothing; they are simply a replacement for the dress light blue
shirt and must not be worn at incidents unless Level 2 covers them,
a T-shirt gives as much protection.
The present situation with the Helmet and boot issue is that the job
of deciding which helmets and boots we will trial, has been given to
YASL, who are a subsidiary of YAKKA Apparel.
Boots
In Europe and North America the more enlightened Brigades such as
New York and Tyneside (UK) are issuing their staff with leather
chemical resistant boots. These boots are not like the leather
jackboots, which used to be issued years ago, but are modern state
of the art boots, which consist of 3 layers like the level 2
clothing, one of which is Goretex Crosstech, which is the same
material that gives level 2 its chemical resistance.
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The above are samples and are representative of what is available
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Firehunter is leather and the Ranger is rubber
Research overseas has shown that the amount of weight carried on the
feet is far more influential on firefighter fatigue than the weight
carried on the back. It has been proven that reducing the weight of
boots by 1 pound gives the equivalent of reducing the weight carried
on the back by 10 pounds, or 1 kg. Reduction gives the equivalent of
4 kg.
There are boots available, which are 1 kg per pair lighter than the
current issue boot and are rated to an international standard.
It appears that there are influences at work in NHQ, which have
decided that the present Skellerup boot is the one that you will
wear, even though the boots available in the big wide world are far
superior in all aspects, including grip.
Helmets
There are basically three different styles of helmet, which are
generally used throughout the world. They are the US Traditional,
which are used extensively throughout the United States, and is
characterized by the shield on the front and the ribs down the
sides, the European, which looks somewhat like a motorcycle helmet,
used somewhat less in Europe and the UK, but gaining popularity, and
then there is the style similar to the Pacific Helmets F3 which is
currently on issue to the NZFS. Which is the type most often used,
mainly because it is generally cheaper than the other 2 styles.
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The above are only examples and there are numerous
different manufacturers who make very similar products.
The main considerations, which should be given to the choice of
helmet,
Are:
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Is it balanced?
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Is it going to be heavy after a while?
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Does it get hot on my head?
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Does it keep the rain off?
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Will it protect me in an emergency situation?
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Can I use it in a fairly confined space?
Obviously some of those are more important than the others and I
believe it is not possible to get a helmet which rates perfectly in
all of the categories.
For example the US Traditional helmet, of which there are some
excellent models, obviously is not going to be easily used in a
confined space, but will give great protection both for weather and
from the effects of fire and will give good ventilation round the
wearers face, and the European helmet is not going to protect the
wearer from water running down the collar of the tunic, but will
give the wearer better protection from radiated heat from the side.
This may seem obvious but it is quite surprising what a difference a
simple thing like ventilation can make to the comfort of a helmet.
The example, which brought this home to me, was the European style
which at first seems to be ideal, after a while gets very hot,
because of the close fit around the ears and neck. Also it has the
general disadvantage of reducing hearing, which although this can be
useful at noisy PFAs can be a major disadvantage in other
circumstances.
The best all round style for comfort, ventilation, weight, balance
and protection was a helmet called the Bullard UST, which is the
style the National Commander has said we cannot have.
There are a number of helmets made in the present style, which give
better features and protection than the present helmet and are just
as cheap; hopefully these will be chosen to be trialled when YASL
make up the shortlist.
I have my doubts about the process being used as it may be possible
that YASL will be directed by the people responsible for this
decision, to pick either only NZ made helmets and boots or go for
the cheapest.
We are very hopeful that soon we will be able to provide the
professional firefighters of New Zealand with the Helmets and Boots
that we believe they should have.
The National Commander has told us that a Level 1 jacket is being
designed to replace the level 1 shirt. This jacket will be made of
cotton; supposedly flame resistant treated but will not be
waterproof. The waterproof version is too expensive, as it would
require a Goretex Crosstech liner.
It will not comply with the NFPA Wildland Standard, which the Union
has been trying to get the National Commander to agree to, and
therefore we would not recommend its use as it will be no better
than the present (now withdrawn) level 1 shirt.
The Union has suggested to the National Commander that those
Brigades that need a Wildland firefighting ensemble, be issued with
the same coverall that is issued to Rural Fire, is made of Proban
Cotton and which complies with the Canadian Wildland Standard. It
would appear that he has not listened to our suggestion.
Jeff McCulloch
NZPFU
Protective Clothing Advisor
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