Nomex Hoods Optional

[mamaluke]

I want to know this...are there any departments out there where the use of a nomex hood is optional and up to the individual members? In other words, if they want to wear a hood they can, and if they don't want to, they don't have to.

Obviously most depts require you to wear one and you don't get a choice. Then again, Boston doesn't even issue hoods to its members. But, I want to know what department's give you the option.

[570eck]

Ha, that's a good one.

[mamaluke]

Actually, they do exist. I know of one- I know the guy who made it policy. I know there are more out there.

[911WACKER]

Nomex hoods issued and worn by all

[Plug-Ugly]

Nomex hoods issued, not worn by all!

[LT.BB]

We wear hoods. Saw a newbie cook her ears in a training burn after that i ALWAYS wore mine.

[JoeMZ191]

Any Company Officer who would allow a firefighter to NOT wear the proper protective equipment had better have a good second job lined up. I have "strayed" from the rules on occasion but my crew does not.

"No your Honor, I didn't think it was neccessary."

If it's true that Boston doesn't issue hoods, where is the Union? Safety violations are easy wins.

[DetroitFire]

not issued, not required, have to buy our own and our union is still fighting for a contract from 1997. City doesn't care about us.

[Tanker06]

Issued and must be worn. Don't wear `em, you don't get to play.
Personally, in my first training fire, I had my ears reddened a bit, and that was with all of my gear on. I probably wouldn't have any ear-tips left if I hadn't. Good enough reason for me! (I like to keep all of my equipment (body parts!) as issued!)

[Guest]

Issued and has to be worn!!!!!!

It's hard to belive a Department would issue this and then not require you to ware it.

That's like giving you turn out gear and then tell you you don't have to ware it.


Stay low - Be cool

[Gooch26]

My department issues and requires thier use, in fact I don't know of any in my area that don't. My self, I look at it this way, we have every other part of our bodies covered, why leave our ears and face, the most sensitive and easily damaged parts of our bodies unprotected? This did get me thinking about a question though. I've watched a few of those fire video tapes. The one that comes to mind was on the FDNY, the only ones I saw wearing hoods in the video were members of Rescue 2. So am I thinking wrong or don't they require thier use? The other department I was wondering about is Chicago, I don't recall seeing any when I was out there a few years ago, anybody know? I know people have said that they used to not wear one so they would know when it was getting too hot by feeling on thier ears, they never could answer me though when I asked them. What do you do when you know it's too hot but can't leave? God bless and stay safe.
Randall E. Guntrum FF/EMT

[BG204]

My department issues them and requires us to wear them. I wouldn't do it any other way.

It sounds like you guys in Detroit have it tuff.

Stay safe!

[ 07-25-2001: Message edited by: BG204 ]

[BG204]

[ 07-25-2001: Message edited by: BG204 ]

[bfd1071]

Not issued, never worn. Alot of towns in my area do not force the wearing of hoods.

[Captain 12]

Hoods...? $$$$$$$$$$$MONEY$$$$$$$$$

Thanks to NFPA & OSHA $$$$$$$$ and the company's that make money on our butts...
That nomex hoods, don't help you at all when you have two tons of roof on your lifeless body... just like bunker paints... Yes there
are study's by Mfg's that state and they work, if you were this product you will not get burt.and there right. what they don't tell us. is that if is that hot on the floor to burn us HOW Hot is it 8 or 10 feet up???
More and more we read firefighter trapped and die in a roof calaspe...
WHY???
Now with flash hoods bunker paints, we go in the fire way to far and long... because we don't know when it is to hot untill it's to late. Please tell firefighters wife. John Doe Firefiter is Dead but it's OK because his ears and hair are OK, his flash hood work's like a champ...
Don't get me wrong!!! NEVER be careless but use this tool wisely... by putting on a hood don't make us Superman because that criptanite roof might just fall on our back...

PLEASE NOTE, were hoods, but one Tip of the day !!!! and what they don't teach at fire school...
Keep 1/2 of just one ear uncoverd. If needed you can quickley pull closed even with gloved hand.please drill on this. and you can still tell how hot it's getting...
Please Note. Our saftey is number one... and I hate to were black over my badge...
[img]null[/img]


[ 07-25-2001: Message edited by: Captain 12 ]

[ 07-25-2001: Message edited by: Captain 12 ]