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My gear, when we go to the roof, all in is about 100 lbs. maybe a little more.
Turnout Coat and Pants, suspenders, boots, helmet, and the complete SCBA (air pack) make up about 75 lbs. Lots of extra stuff in the pockets adds up, small hand tools, radio, thermal imaging camera, a couple different lights, bail out gear, wedges and stops, etc... I carry spares of almost everything in case one of my guys loses something while we move around too. Plus an 8 lb axe, a 6 lb roof hook, halligan is 10 lbs…the list goes on… Years on the job has lead me to carry more gear than some guys. When the clock is ticking, there’s not time to go back and get tools.
That doesn’t include the 28’ extension ladder I carry from the truck to the building when we go to the roof. My Saw fireman carries two chainsaws as well.
If we go above grade (like up three or more floors), I’ll pack a 200ft utility rope and we’ll all take extra air cylinders. The guys will take extra saws, hooks, halligans, etc.
People think retiring at 50 (or now at 57) is too early for firemen… move that gear around for 25 years (or more) and you’ll think differently. The last thing I want is 60 year olds, no matter how good of shape they’re in, coming loaded down to get my family out of a fire. You want brash, jacked 30 year olds rip snorting and tearing walls open.
Turnout Coat and Pants, suspenders, boots, helmet, and the complete SCBA (air pack) make up about 75 lbs. Lots of extra stuff in the pockets adds up, small hand tools, radio, thermal imaging camera, a couple different lights, bail out gear, wedges and stops, etc... I carry spares of almost everything in case one of my guys loses something while we move around too. Plus an 8 lb axe, a 6 lb roof hook, halligan is 10 lbs…the list goes on… Years on the job has lead me to carry more gear than some guys. When the clock is ticking, there’s not time to go back and get tools.
That doesn’t include the 28’ extension ladder I carry from the truck to the building when we go to the roof. My Saw fireman carries two chainsaws as well.
If we go above grade (like up three or more floors), I’ll pack a 200ft utility rope and we’ll all take extra air cylinders. The guys will take extra saws, hooks, halligans, etc.
People think retiring at 50 (or now at 57) is too early for firemen… move that gear around for 25 years (or more) and you’ll think differently. The last thing I want is 60 year olds, no matter how good of shape they’re in, coming loaded down to get my family out of a fire. You want brash, jacked 30 year olds rip snorting and tearing walls open.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
