Hoods, Gloves and Boots

Training session today, 45 minutes on stationary bike, hill climb level 12.

Brian and I received our starting times for the Stair Climb, March 11.   I start at 9:30am.   Brian starts
at 1:50 PM    I was a bit disappointed that we weren't starting around the same time.  Now I get to set a time for him to beat! 

A bit about Hoods, Gloves and Boots.

when I first started in the fire service we didn't have protective hoods.  When our ears started to get hot and burn we knew it was time to get out of the building.   Today firefighters wear hoods to protect their neck, and head.  They are typically made of Nomex Knit Fabric which weighs 6 oz./ Sq. Yrd.; they are most often double ply with only one seam running from the top center of the face opening, over the top and down the bottom of the bib.

Structural Firefighting Gloves will fit over the wristlets of the coat sleeve, ensuring full enclosure of the arm. Gloves are designed to protect from extreme heat, various penetrating objects, and to allow dexterity. Usually the latter is sacrificed in order to give adequate protection to heat and sharp objects. Newer gloves are more lightweight and don't lose their dexterity when they dry after becoming wet, the way leather gloves may.

Early firefighting boots were typically made of rubber and often extremely bulky.  Modern structural fire fighting boots can be molded rubber or multi-layer leather or composite boots.  Current boots provide support and protection for the wearer.  Due to the enormous amounts of potential hazards at a fire scene to the feet, turnout boots are required to be able to handle a variety of different burns and blows. All boots are required to be outfitted with safety toes and a puncture resistant midsole plate to prevent puncture from sharp objects that may be stepped on.

 Tomorrow the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

See you at the Top!

John