Second set of gear can help firefighters avoid cancer

[Viper 139]

Some research over the past few years has started to show a link between fighting fires, and an increased rate of cancer. Firefighters in Schenectady are encouraged to clean their gear after fires, to keep them free of contaminants. But that cleaning process takes hours and when a fire call comes in, firefighters have to go.

"It's not uncommon for us to have two structure fires in one shift," said Schenectady Fire Chief Ray Senecal.

Chief Senecal said that just about a year ago, the city spent about a quarter million dollars to buy all firefighters a second set of gear. One to wear when the other is dirty or in the wash.

FULL ARTICLE: http://cbs6albany.com/news/local/second-set-of-gear-can-help-firefighters-avoid-cancer

[Quickness 7]

The turnout gear and PPE manufacturers are sure making a lot of money scaring people about cancer!

[FFPCogs 863]

The turnout gear and PPE manufacturers are sure making a lot of money scaring people about cancer!

I don't think it's all scare tactics, cancer is some serious sh!t. That said while having two sets of gear would be great and necessary the bottom line here is who's going to pay that tab? I have a feeling that no municipality or fire district is just going to happily pony up another $2500 minimum per firefighter. I find this to be another case of sounding great (and completely valid) on paper but next to impossible to put into practice.

[FireMedic049 597]

The turnout gear and PPE manufacturers are sure making a lot of money scaring people about cancer!

Well, the reality is that the cancer threat is pretty real if you see regular fire duty.

[FireMedic049 597]

I don't think it's all scare tactics, cancer is some serious sh!t. That said while having two sets of gear would be great and necessary the bottom line here is who's going to pay that tab? I have a feeling that no municipality or fire district is just going to happily pony up another $2500 minimum per firefighter. I find this to be another case of sounding great (and completely valid) on paper but next to impossible to put into practice.

I think you may be surprised. There are municipalities/departments that already issue 2 sets of gear per firefighter.

This is something I pushed for at my current department several years ago and when we pitched it in contract negotiations we expected some push back from the administration, but they agreed to it with no haggling. We had a number of strong arguments for it and it worked. In our case, each person has 2 sets replaced in rotation so that their primary set is not more than 4 years old and their back up set is not more than 8 year old.

[CTFF 65]

What does a single diagnosis of cancer cost a city?

[STAT213 332]

Every member on my department has two sets of gear issued to them, maximum service life of 10 years.

It's doable. Just needs to be budgeted for.

[FFPCogs 863]

I think you may be surprised. There are municipalities/departments that already issue 2 sets of gear per firefighter.

This is something I pushed for at my current department several years ago and when we pitched it in contract negotiations we expected some push back from the administration, but they agreed to it with no haggling. We had a number of strong arguments for it and it worked. In our case, each person has 2 sets replaced in rotation so that their primary set is not more than 4 years old and their back up set is not more than 8 year old.

Yes I am aware that a good number of cities/towns/departments do provide two sets of turnouts, but I think they are the minority overall. There's alot of cash strapped departments out there barely getting by now. I mean I'm all for it, career or volly it doeasn't matter, this job is hard enough without the specter of another way of getting cancer hanging over us. Sadly though even with grants I just don't see how many departments would be able to do it.

[FirNaTine 370]

^{How about guys lay off the Cigars/Cigarettes too? Now there's a start! I believe there's some Depts out there that have a "No Smoking Policy" in order to become and stay a FF, like Boston and some other New England Depts.. There's also plenty of guys that wont even mask up for a car fire so can we please stop blaming our Dirty Turnout Equipment for every ailment we get!}

[FFPCogs 863]

^{How about guys lay off the Cigars/Cigarettes too? Now there's a start! I believe there's some Depts out there that have a "No Smoking Policy" in order to become and stay a FF, like Boston and some other New England Depts.. There's also plenty of guys that wont even mask up for a car fire so can we please stop blaming our Dirty Turnout Equipment for every ailment we get!}

Well now there's a dose of reality for ya, btw AMEN FirN...and I'm a smoker

[SOUSGT 357]

I don't think it's all scare tactics, cancer is some serious sh!t. That said while having two sets of gear would be great and necessary the bottom line here is who's going to pay that tab? I have a feeling that no municipality or fire district is just going to happily pony up another $2500 minimum per firefighter. I find this to be another case of sounding great (and completely valid) on paper but next to impossible to put into practice.

Rather then providing a second set of gear (both sets still have to be replaced every 10 years weather used or not). Wouldn't it be more cost effective (and healthier) to have a gear washer in the station and use it regularly. If you clean the crap off the gear as much as possible you would be reducing your exposure. I am not saying was gear after every call but at somewhat regular intervals. Even a second set of gear could be contaminated and you would have two sets of contaminated gear if not cleaned.

[nfd2004 750]

Here is a video from the Boston Fire Department. Whether a city/town buys two sets of gear, or a special washing machine, cancer is probably something that you should think about. Are these guys trying to scare you ? Well maybe if that's what it takes. Some of them were firefighters when air packs were considered a luxury or optional item. We've learned a lot since then though.

Many of you have families. What would they say if they saw this ? Should they voice their opinion also ? And what are the priorities of a city or town ? Are they willing to tell your family members that we just can't do it. Should taxpayers tell their city/town officials NOT to do it.

There are so many unnecessary other items in the fire service where money is spent because some group says so. But few have the lasting effect as this one does.

Here is that video.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOvBypsaHog

[FireMedic049 597]

Rather then providing a second set of gear (both sets still have to be replaced every 10 years weather used or not). Wouldn't it be more cost effective (and healthier) to have a gear washer in the station and use it regularly. If you clean the crap off the gear as much as possible you would be reducing your exposure. I am not saying was gear after every call but at somewhat regular intervals. Even a second set of gear could be contaminated and you would have two sets of contaminated gear if not cleaned.

In terms of total cost, sure, it would probably cheaper overall to issue a single set of gear and have a gear washer available. However, the primary problem with this is the fact that when that single set of gear is being washed and then dries, the person that gear belongs to is essentially out of service during that time period unless they have immediate access to properly fitting spare gear. This isn't necessarily a problem when you have clearly defined off-duty periods in which you will not be needed to respond to calls and can clean the gear then. However, when you are essentially on-duty ("on call") 24/7, this can lead to people delaying proper cleanings when needed in order to available for that next call.

The idea behind the second set is to resolve that issue. You use one set while the other set is being cleaned and in most cases, that set will be available by the time the other set needs cleaned.

Clean gear is safer from a health standpoint and it can help the gear last longer.

[Ladder44 73]

Every member on my department has two sets of gear issued to them, maximum service life of 10 years.

It's doable. Just needs to be budgeted for.

We get new set every 5 years....the old set is your spare until the 10th year then its retired and get a new set and keeps cycling.....Budgeted for is exactly it, we have 75ish members