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Bunker gear on EMS calls
I would like your thoughs on the wearing of bunker gear on an EMS call
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It depends on the EMS call. If it's an MVA with glass and metal all over the place, I wear my turnouts. If it's after I go to bed, I wear my bunker pants. Regardless, I try not to dunk my gear into any biological goo that might be present. -
Unless I already have them on, or I am in PT gear, I really don't like to wear them. Sometimes they are too cumbersome, and of course with some of the residences I have, the temperature without them makes me look like I just got out of the shower and threw my clothes on without drying off. Plus I can't see why I would want a patient having to endure the smoke odor if there was a job the week before he/she had their emergency. In larger scale incidents I would probably wear them to aid further in accountablity purposes. But of course if it was an SOG to wear them, I'd have to love them wouldn't I?
lol....Be safe all!!
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The above is my personal opinion only, not that of any agency I work for or deal with.Comment
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I'll wear my bunker pants to an EMS call if I am working out, after hours when I am in my room at the firehouse or if I am responding to a medical afergoing to a fire call.
I wear my turnouts for MVA's if we will be using any of our extrication tools.
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Firefighters: Today's heroes protecting our tomorrows....
Captain Gonzo
[This message has been edited by Captain Gonzo (edited October 02, 2000).]Comment
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I also work for a department that doesn't have a cut and dry policy on the matter, but for calls in the middle of the night bunkers aid in getting out the door faster.
As for MVA's it depends on if you are on the med unit or the pump as to if you wear them or not. We are all issued a heavy squad coat so that kind of helpsComment
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I wear my bunker pants on medical calls if I don't have anything on that identifies me as a firefighter, any call that can get potentially messy, or if I'm going to be in a possibly hazardous position.
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**The preceding comments in no way represent the views of my department, its members, or associations that it may belong to.**Comment
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I wear gear if:
(1) Scene is hazardous (MVA or other physical event such as explosion/collapse). Full gear.
(2) I do not have any identifying clothing with me. For our small vollie outfit, a department hat or coat works as ID, I keep a hat in the car. Coat and helmet, maybe just helmet.
(3) For personal safety reasons I want to be clearly identified as a firefighter and not as a law enforcement officer. Whether I enter the scene or not is an entirely different issue. Coat and helmet.
(4) If I will be working part of the call in outdoor inclement weather. Full gear as necessary.
(5) If I am working an outdoor scene in a hazardous location (next to a road, mainly). Coat and helmet for cold weather, pants and helmet for warm.
Of course, I'm sure there are other reasons I will want to grab the gear as well.
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Frank Billington, #11
Town of Superior Fire Online
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily that of Town of Superior Fire.Comment
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Well
I think that there are many varibles that go into this though. I think that one should wear bunker gear to mva's in which glass, metal, etc. Not only will the gear protect you from those hazards, but bio-hazardous materials. The vapor barrier should not allow Bio's through.
Also at night the reflective striping will provide better warning that people are present if they cant see all the lights or come up on a scene where no Emergency apparatus is present. I guess it is up to the senior member on scene or what ever the dept. SOP is.
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Kevin Wiseman
School Of Fire Protection
Ponderosa FDComment
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I respond to the scene of most MVAs and Medical Aids with the FAST Squad and I have found that my nomex forestry pants and jacket with its yellow color and reflective trim not only keeps me visible but identifies me as an emergency worker. It also looks a little more professional to the taxpayer (I think) to show up at their house for a med aid like that than in what ever I may have on.(Dirty work jeans and T-shirt while working on the car, etc.) While working on the NFD ambulance I only wear turnouts if it is an MVA,it is snowing or sleeting out, or if the call is at o-dark-30 and I was in the rack.
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FF/EMT Jay Ellingson
Newington,NH FD,
Madbury,NH VFD & FAST Squad &
New England Dragway Safety Team (Sundaaayy!)
Be Safe!Comment
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In the evening after I change out of uniform and at night I wear 'em, but usually not during the day except on MVA's.Comment
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On EMS (band-aid) calls we can wear bunker gear or a marked jumpsuit. The idea is to have some identifier to the public. Bunker gear is always taken on all calls but not always worn. Rescue calls such as MVA require bunker gear. Our insurance requires use of all protective gear.Comment
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My department will be starting to respond to Priority 1 EMS calls with the rescue squad that covers our fire district, hopefully sometime next week. There are still a few details we need to work out with the Fire Coordinators office. I've asked that anyone responding on these calls at least wear their bunker pants for I.D. purposes. Any other type of call is considered a fire call and full gear must be worn.Comment
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OK here are my thoughts. In another post the topic was hood wear them or not. And alot of people who reponded in that post who we're high advocates of wearing all gear to calls are now saying dont protect yourself on EMS calls. Here are a few reasons to wear at least bunker pants on EMS calls.
1. ever work an cardiac arrest on a ceramic tile floor? Vomit sweat and god knows what else your kneeling in, plus the padding is a little easier on the knees.
2. herion overdose you cant find the needle, its alot harder to get pricked through bunker pants then just your station uniforms.
you also have the urine and vomit factor again
3. here is another thing to throw out there. how about going into a "bad" neighborhood for an unknown ems call. i wear my helmet because if its an unknown domestic call and that person swings open that door in rage with a gun...blue uniform, badge looks like a cop.but with this yellow brain bucket on my head they might hesitate for a second. I CAN RUN ALONG WAY IN A SECOND!
these are just a few things i have learned in my short timeComment
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Mr Kennedy.......Beautifully said, I agree 100%. I also agree with Mr Ellingson, I'd rather have a firefighter/EMT work on me than a mechanic. We have guys who USED TO show up in shorts! That's just numb. I prefer to have a long sleeve shirt and pants at the very minimum, but I usually wear my turnouts. It's easier to dress down once you find out what you are dealing with.
Take care, stay safe, & stay low.
Lt. SpinneyComment
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At night and in the morning when we don't ahve our uniforms on . MVA'S and slso calls were law enforcement is involved for safety reasonsComment
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