Too-big turnout gear

[NobodyAnymore]

In preparation for my Firefighter I class starting next month, my volunteer company has provided me with turnout gear, and I have a couple of questions.

The pants fit fine but are old. The guy that gave them to me thought they might be too old, but to be honest, I don't know how he could tell because there is no date on the inside, at least not that I can see. The date line on the label appears blank. But they tell me that the instructors where I'll be going to class don't particularly care if the gear is out of date or not, so whatever.

My bigger concern is the coat. The coat is too big for me. It's a size 62, and I normally where a 48 or 50. It hangs very loose on me, and if I grab the front I can pull it a good half-foot or more away from my body.

Is this a problem? Is it good enough for training? Should I try to be more insistent about getting a coat that fits better?

[Rescue101]

Not thinking you are going to ENJOY Rookie school in ill fitting gear. HERE,it isn't even allowed. I'd try to get a coat closer to the proper size if at all possible. T.C.

[snowball]

That's funny, I thought you said the coat they gave you was a 62.

[slackjawedyokel]

Is this not something you should talk to one of your officers about ?

[WD6956]

A few sizes too big is manageable. But if your a 50 and you have a 62 coat, that will be an issue. I am a 52 chest and but can wear a 54 with no issues. I tried a 56, manageable, but not fun. I cannot imagine anything bigger.

[fire49]

Maybe take it by th academy and see what they say about it

But yes you need stuff that fits

You might see if there are any nfpa labels in them

[NobodyAnymore]

Not thinking you are going to ENJOY Rookie school in ill fitting gear. HERE,it isn't even allowed. I'd try to get a coat closer to the proper size if at all possible. T.C.

OK, thanks, I'll see what I can do. To be honest I think everyone was just relieved to finally find something I could actually get into at all. Admittedly, I'm a big guy, as my normal chest size of 48-50 indicates. All the other coats they found were too small, and this was the first one that I could actually get in to. So we didn't really check to see if it actually fit well. But I'll see if there's anything else, or if there are any other options available...

That's funny, I thought you said the coat they gave you was a 62.

I...did...

Is this not something you should talk to one of your officers about ?

I now am going to, based on what Rescue101 said. When I actually got it, I didn't notice that it didn't fit me well; I think we were all just happy to find something I could get into at all. But now that I have the stuff at home and have been practicing donning and doffing, I've noticed how poorly it fits me, so I thought I would ask about it here first. Mainly because I'm at home right now and not at the firehouse and just wanted to find out ASAP if this was an issue worth bringing up to the officers at all.

[NobodyAnymore]

Maybe take it by th academy and see what they say about it

But yes you need stuff that fits

You might see if there are any nfpa labels in them

It's a Morning Pride manufactured in 2005, and the label says NFPA 1971, 2000 edition.

I'm definitely going to bring this up to the officers at my station. If they say it's the only thing available to me, it will be interesting to see what the instructors say. That's a good idea, thanks for that. I'll try to find out who they are and discuss it with them if I need to. But I think the officer will try to work with me; he did say something about seeing if any other stations had any coats available, before he found this one. So maybe we're going to have to go that route after all...

[pipeman_shortname]

Just sayin

Size matters.....

[BULL321]

In preparation for my Firefighter I class starting next month, my volunteer company has provided me with turnout gear, and I have a couple of questions.

The pants fit fine but are old. The guy that gave them to me thought they might be too old, but to be honest, I don't know how he could tell because there is no date on the inside, at least not that I can see. The date line on the label appears blank. But they tell me that the instructors where I'll be going to class don't particularly care if the gear is out of date or not, so whatever.

My bigger concern is the coat. The coat is too big for me. It's a size 62, and I normally where a 48 or 50. It hangs very loose on me, and if I grab the front I can pull it a good half-foot or more away from my body.

Is this a problem? Is it good enough for training? Should I try to be more insistent about getting a coat that fits better?

Welcome to world of Vollie Firefighting! Just lift some weights to make your chest, back and shoulders bigger, then the coat will fit.

[HAFD112]

I started school 9 years ago with gear Manufactured in 1986. I got new gear in 2010. The department has purchased 4 new trucks in that time. Priorities.

[GTRider245]

That wouldn't fly here. As cheap as some gear can be had these days, there is no reason to be issued gear that doesn't even remotely fit.

[snowball]

Your coat is far too big. Put it on and try on an SCBA, especially the waist straps. You'll probably find it difficult to buckle it up with all that extra material wadding up, not to mention the space around your torso can build up hot air when in an IDLH atmosphere, greatly depleting your stamina. There are snag hazards to consider as well.
How big is the collar? Does it seal tightly around your neck? Or is the velcro used up?
All things for you to consider.

[fire49]

Check neighboring departments to see if they will let you borrow


Also you can rent equipment


What are they ging to do once you get out of the academy and start riding out????

[NobodyAnymore]

What are they ging to do once you get out of the academy and start riding out????

I don't know. When I first became a member they explained they have this six-month "trial" period during which new members aren't actually issued anything other than a t-shirt, although they will provide gear necessary for classes. I was told the reason for this is they want to see if new members are serious about participating, and they don't want to spend all the money on new gear for people that aren't going to last.

But I know some members who even after their trial period was up were still using whatever old hand-me-downs they started out with.

My trial period is actually up two days before the FF1 class starts. I don't know what's supposed to happen. Personally, I can't say I blame them for not wanting to buy new gear for new members, or even for someone who is out of the trial period but still in class; I mean, why buy gear for someone if they don't even know if the person is going to actually pass the class, if there's older gear lying around that will suffice? Of course, the problem for me is that it doesn't really suffice, not being the right size. So I'll just have to see what can be done about it. As you said, I suspect my station will need to end up getting something from another company; either that, or they'll have to order new gear for me, and I'll be stuck with the old stuff until then.

How long does it take to actually get new gear, anyway? The newest stuff I've seen around the station is Globe Xtreme. I don't know if every set is made to order or if there are distributors with stock on hand or what.