Firefighters’ Gear

August 9th, 2012

8-9-12On this hot humid day on the Upper West Side of New York City, I came across Ladder 25 and its crew. Peter and 6 of his crew were on lunch break waiting for their mechanic to show up. Peter and I talked a bit about The Kindness Bicycle Ride for Heroes. It was during this conversation that I noticed all their gear.
Firefighters wear protective gear, which can weigh as much as sixty pounds. Safety gear commonly includes thick pants and a jacket known as “Bunker Gear,” a helmet, mask, and a breathing apparatus. The tools and portable water packs firefighters use when fighting various types of fire add to both the protection and weight a firefighter must pack while fighting a fire, or performing in an emergency rescue situation. With the heat from the weather combined with the heat of fires and having to perform strenuous acts with all this weight and clothing, it’s no wonder these guys should be known as Heroes.

Comments are closed.