MVFD -Turnout Gear

Firefighter Turnout Gear and SCBA

Turnout gear is specifically engineered to protect firefighters in many hazardous environments.

Our firefighter's turnout gear is as follows:

Helmets are much like a construction workers' Hard Hat. Ours are adjustable 660 Metro's™ with coated 4 in. Polyarylate Faceshields.
The colors determine rank. Many departments differ slightly, and also include additional colors, but our department is as follows:

White = Fire Chief, Deputy Chief.

Red = Captain, Lieutenant.

Yellow = Firefighter, Probationer (Probie).

a Helmet liner is used to protect the firefighter's face and neck from extreme radiating heat and flame.

the Nomex Anti-Flash Hood, or Balaclava is much like a lightweight ski mask which protects the firefighter's face, neck and head from extreme radiating heat and flame. It can also be used as a crude air filter when breathing in smoky atmospheres.

the heavy Firefighter's Turn-out Coat is made up of many different linings. It withstands extreme heat, cold, water, shrapnel, and many toxic materials, while insulating the firefighter, providing pockets for storing small tools and reflectors for visability. Our firefighters use Coats and Pants made by Securitex™ (as shown), and Cairns™. See below for a detailed lining material list.

Firefighter's Turn-out Pants are made up of many different linings. They withstand extreme heat, cold, water, shrapnel, and many toxic materials, while insulating the firefighter, providing pockets for storing small tools and reflectors for visability. Our firefighters use Coats and Pants made by Securitex™ (as shown in picture), and Cairns™.
Turn-out Lining Material is as follows:

Moisture Barrier Lining:

Neoprene coated Nomex.

Gore-Tex laminated Nomex.

Dermoflex coated Nomex.

Neoprene coated Polycotton.

Thermal Liner Lining:

Nomex needlepunch quilted to Nomex.

Kevlar batting quilted to Nomex.

Nomex batting quilted to Nomex.

Outer Shell Lining:

5.5 oz. Nomex multi-filament.

6.0 oz. Nomex III.

7.5 oz. Nomex III.

7.5 oz. 60% Kevlar, 40% P.B.I.

12 oz. Nomex III Neoprene coated.

Nomex Kevlar 7815.

the firefighting Gloves are made from Wolvering Pigskin. Very durable, and they will not shrink when wet.

the Boots are equipped with steel toes and shanks.

the Tool Belt, made of thick woven nylon, holds many tools, and a steel loop handy for securing a firefighter, like when we rode on the tail board of our trucks.

the aluminum or steel alloy Hydrant Wrench has many uses, including to tighten or untighten hose couplings, removing caps and operating hydrants, and some aluminum ones include a notch in the end suitable for tuning off Natural Gas valves.

the Flashlights our firefighters carry are Bright Star™ 2117's. Intrinsically safe, they will not spark and ignite flammable gaseous invironments.

Super Pass™ motion alarms are devices that begins to whistle very loudly if the firefighter does not move for more than 30 seconds, letting others know he or she may be trapped or unconscious.

the Passport Accountability Identification tag is used to keep track of firefighters at confusing or busy fires or emergencies.

the First Responder badge on the helmet identifies that the wearer is trained in emergency First Responder level III First Aid. *See the First Responder page.

a reflective Name letters the back of helmets for ease of identification at fire scenes.

SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
SCBA is used to deliver clean cool air to firefighters in dangerous or hazardous situations, it is much like SCUBA gear, but without the underwater capabilities. We use the Scott Presur-Pak® 2.2 Open circuit breathing apparatus with Doning switches and Poly-Composite 2216 psi lightweight bottles rated for approx. 30 minutes of use. There are at least 2 paks on each truck, with the exception of Truck &10.
the Harness Assembly holds the high pressure air cylinder to the firefighter's back.
the 2216psi High Pressure Air Cylinder, is a light-weight Poly-composite or heavier Aluminum composite cylinder, that provide up to 30 minutes of breathable cool air, stored under pressure. In total, we have approximately: 24 light-weight Poly-composite bottles and 33 heavier Aluminum composite cylinders.
the EZ-FLO™ Regulator with donning switch, reduces the air cylinder's high pressure to a specified flow and pressure required for inhalation. It is also equipped with a Vibralert alarm that vibrates when air pressure gets low.
the Mask or Face Piece equipped with an anti-fog nose cup, delivers low pressure air from the regulator into the nose and mouth. It also provides some protection from facial burns and contact of smoke and toxic gases to the eyes.
the remote glow in the dark Air Guage allows the firefighter to easily see the level of his or her air tank.