buying gear

[balzac06]

Greetings;
I am in the process of buying gear for florida state fire college. I have a few questions on what I should purchase. First is it better to buy lace up leather boots or pull up boots either leather or rubber? Next is there one helmet that is better then the rest? Finally, any reccomendaitons for tuen out gear?

Thanks
Zach

[npfd801]

Are you buying gear to go through the program as a student, or are you buying for the program to assign multiple students new gear?

I'd seriously consider leasing or renting gear if you just need it to go through the academy. I trashed a set of brand new gear in the 9 weeks I was in the academy and wore through a pair of boots, but I was fortunate enough to have been already hired and the gear wasn't paid for out of my pocket.

If you're going to buy some gear, then there are more durable shells than others, but we won't get into that discussion until we need to. I also have some contact info for one company that rents gear. I can't recall for how much, and only know of it because the same company does some gear repair for us. I am not affiliated, etc., blah blah...

Joel

[balzac06]

I would be buying the gear for myself as a student. I would definitly like the info dealing with renting as well. Thank yo ufor your time.

zach

[firefighterbeau]

well, now that we know more, the answers to the question can begin. The thing you really need to look at is how much you can afford. definatly look at renting/leasing, other than that for a helmet I would buy a Bullard PX or FX, or if you have the cash maybe a UST (traditional style). The coat and pants I would get a set of Nomex/Kevlar (advance). Boots, leather, if you can afford it, otherwise get a good name brand of rubber boots i.e. Servus, Ranger, Black Diamond. Pull-on is the way to go for boots in my opinion. I'm sure there will be more people chiming in at any moment with more info. Oh and good luck at the fire college!

[FirefighterLong]

Here are a few items I would recommend.

Boots-Thorogood 14" Square Toe Structural Boot *order a little wide and pull ups are the only way to go
http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm?pID=1381

Helmet-Cairns 660C Metro w/Faceshield. Deluxe Configuration. *not fancy but a good helmet to start with. I would wait to have someone buy you a good one.
http://www.thefirestore.com/store/product.cfm?pID=231

Bunkers-Fire-Dex Express Assault Pant/Coat, Nomex/Kevlar
http://www.thefirestore.com/store/category.cfm?cID=1342

Search Ebay for used gear. Any department you work for will provide you with gear on the job. No sense in spending all your college money.

FFLong

[Rescue101]

If I were getting gear whether renting or buying for fire academy use I'd take a long look at Millenia over either PBI, Assault,or Advance.While both PBI and Advance have slightly higher heat TPP,Millenia is a much tougher fabric,which can be important as you try to scrub thru it during training evolutions.We switched our instructors to it several years ago and never looked back.It's a little harder on your wallet however.I like it so well we just bought 50 sets for our front line personnel.We beta tested several materials over the last 5-8 years and this is the one that met our mixed conditions of thermal protection and long wear.Thoughts to ponder. T.C.