FDNY EMS Bunker Gear - Why?

Recon Five

Recon Five

Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
150
I notice in a lot of FDNY incident photos from various web sites I see a lot of EMS personnel wearing bunker gear.  This strikes me as a bit odd since I didn't think EMTs and Medics--other than the EMS rescue units--went into dangerous/IDLH environments.  I left NYC before the merger and never recalled seeing them with bunker gear when they were still with HHC.  That's an expensive budget item to outfit all field personnel with bunker gear.

 
Its not NFPA firefighting bunker gear.

It meets the NFPA  PPE spec for ems and USAR.
 
tbendick said:
Its not NFPA firefighting bunker gear.

It meets the NFPA  PPE spec for ems and USAR.
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Ahh, OK  (but it sure looks like the FF version in the photos -- liners, etc.)
 
I Believe the SOP is that its supposed to be used at MVAs/fires and during CPR jobs. (Correct me if I'm wrong) I can understand the logic for MVAs but fires and CPR i don't get the point. When I did EMS in irvington we were supposed to wear them on highway jobs and fire standbys. The one fire standby I did we didn't wear our bunker gear.
 
Fires = yes.
Have seen medics working on jumpers ,10-45, etc in front of the fire building with glass and debris flying all over.
 
I could've sworn there was a more recent relevant post, but I can't find it. Anyways, the Rescue Medics will be issued true bunker gear. This is due to them frequently operating on the floor below at 10-77s. Also my understanding is the members are not a fan of the current nomex pants which I believe will be phased out with a return to the cottons worn by the rest of HazTac. I'm unsure if they'll be keeping the Ricochet coats for tech rescues.
 
Lebby said:
I could've sworn there was a more recent relevant post, but I can't find it. Anyways, the Rescue Medics will be issued true bunker gear. This is due to them frequently operating on the floor below at 10-77s. Also my understanding is the members are not a fan of the current nomex pants which I believe will be phased out with a return to the cottons worn by the rest of HazTac. I'm unsure if they'll be keeping the Ricochet coats for tech rescues.
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Why are they not a fan of the Nomex uniform or bunker pants?
 
fdny747 said:
Why are they not a fan of the Nomex uniform or bunker pants?
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The current nomex pants are worn as part of the regular uniform and not only on MCIs. They are disliked as they don't breathe in the least and members sweat constantly. They have no issue with the bunker pants, which are only worn on relevant assignments.
 
A little bit of a post resurrection, but better keep this info together and not make a new thread. Aside from EMS now being issued t-shirts, I've heard they are starting to get issued "step in" boots and the whole service will gradually switch their PPE to be the same as the Rescue Medics.
 
Lebby said:
A little bit of a post resurrection, but better keep this info together and not make a new thread. Aside from EMS now being issued t-shirts, I've heard they are starting to get issued "step in" boots and the whole service will gradually switch their PPE to be the same as the Rescue Medics.
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I wish they had done that years ago.
 
They need something breathable that vents like the same type of tech those"cool vent"baseball jerseys have. One thing I've learned over my years as a runner is that, traditional "cotton is rotten." It just holds moisture and weighs you down and after a while, just stinks.

Synthetic material and Under Armour type breathable fabrics work better, though they can be a bit more pricy.
 
Since they are firefighters, EMS crews in Houston usually have their turn-out gear in a compartment on the ambulance. When the need arises, they can function as a RIT unit as well as satisfy the OSHA two-in-two-out rule.
 
Lebby said:
The current nomex pants are worn as part of the regular uniform and not only on MCIs. They are disliked as they don't breathe in the least and members sweat constantly. They have no issue with the bunker pants, which are only worn on relevant assignments.
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Wow! We tried nomex uniform pants and shirts over 30 years ago. You are not kidding, they retain body heat and are very uncomfortable to wear. No bueno
 
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