If you are considering buying used firefighting gear, there are a number of important factors that you should know. The cost of shipping used gear, the design/bunker pants and the chemical contents of the gear are all important. You should also be aware of the dangers associated with PFAS (polyfluorinated aroma hydrocarbons), which can be found in certain gear.
Cost of shipping used firefighting gear
Shipping used firefighting gear can prove costly. To safely navigate a smoke-filled structure, firefighters need special equipment. These items are very expensive and need to be replaced every ten years. Firefighters have to use thermal imaging cameras that can be expensive. Even a small fire department may need several of these cameras.
The gear is forty pounds and will be shipped to Ukraine for a cost of twenty-five thousands dollars. The costs of shipping the gear to Ukraine will be covered by a nonprofit organization. The Ukrainian relief efforts will benefit greatly from the donation. Skachko grew up in Ukraine and has family there. He has seen the devastation there in news reports.
Design of turnout/bunker pant
Firefighter's turnout/bunker trousers are often designed to withstand tears or rips. This gear may be difficult to cut off, especially if there are knee pads in the front. There are tools that can be used to quickly remove this gear from firefighters. These tools are commonly called trauma shears.
Firefighters should always check the back length of any turnout/bunker pants they are considering purchasing. Most departments have a standard size back that will help prevent the pant being too small. Shorter pant lengths may cause obstructions when firefighters are sitting or stepping down.
Chemicals found in firefighting gear
The largest union of firefighters is warning about the dangers posed by PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds) in used firefighting gear. This group is known to cause cancer in firefighters. Even before a fire is set, chemicals can build up in turnout gear. A new law was passed to limit firefighters' exposure to these chemicals.
Manufacturers of firefighting gear do not have to disclose chemicals in their products at this time. However, many are beginning to make the switch to PFAS-free options. Further research is necessary to determine the impact of these chemicals on firefighters' health. New legislation will make it possible for the industry to measure the level of these chemicals in its gear, and to study their effects.
PFAS's dangers
PFAS, also known as polyfluorinated phenyls (PFAS), are extremely toxic chemicals. They are found in a wide array of consumer goods. In low doses, they can lead to several health problems. PFOA has been linked to testicular and kidney cancers. They can also be linked to immune suppression. Firefighters' turnout gear is likely to contain high levels of PFAS.
Firefighters should seek out PFAS-free equipment. Although manufacturers are not required by law to disclose chemicals, some are working towards safer options. Firefighters have to work together to overcome industry resistance. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is their new ally. After years of downplaying the dangers of PFAS, IAFF members voted to stop accepting donations from gear manufacturers and to hire a director of science and research to look into long-term health effects.