suggestions on equipment

[arcticmedic]

I have been a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for the last 8 years. I recently accepted a paid position and have realized that I need to have better equipment. I have had a very hard time finding gloves that will fit my small hands. Gloves made for the guys are short enough in the fingers, but the hand is too wide. anyone have any suggestions on where to order women's sized gloves?

[Quint1Medic]

My suggestion would be to carry two sets of gloves. Get the smallest size you can get in the issued style of fire gloves, and keep a pair of leather work gloves that actually fit for everything else. You don't need to have a whole lot of dexterity in your firefighting gloves - as long as you can get your fingers around the bale, you're okay. That's the only time you really need to be wearing those, anyway. The rest of the time (packing hose, extrications, when it's chilly out) just wear whatever you pick up at Home Depot. They should protect you just fine. If you're worried enough about having thicker protection, you could look at the Ringers extrication gloves - they're great gloves. They'll just set you back $40 instead of $8. http://www.firehouse.com/forums/smile.gif

[Quint1Medic]

Have you had any trouble with boots?

[BiancaSancic]

Check with a company called Fire End out of New York. I ordered a pair of x- small structure gloves from them and they have been wonderful. It is great to wear gloves that I am not afraid will come off at any given moment in a structure, especially when they get wet.

Also do some surfing on the net. This is the first company I came across and was happy with it, but I would suggest shopping around. You may be able to get a better price.

I bought my own after fire academy. It was probably the best investment I have made. I spent three months pushing my gloves back on with hoselines, ladders or anything I happened to be in contact with during training because I certainly couldn't let go of it with both hands at the time, and the gloves were coming off. I was getting pretty good at it, decided the gloves although a necessity, were a major battle I did not want to deal with on a call. I had the smallest gloves offered by the companies the department dealt with.

[This message has been edited by BiancaSancic (edited 12-18-2000).]

[Aerial 131]

If my info is correct, many of the glove makers if requested make an SX or SXX, check with your Logistic officer. We have several woman in the SX size and we keep several pair around for them as well as any one else.

Zimm

[Pastor Dawn]

Galls and Darley carry a line of fire gloves and other equipment for ladies. Check them out on the internet and see what they can do for you. I've had great luck with them and I've used both companies for years.

[fireflyer]

Darley.com has some excellent choices for firefighting equipment for women. They even have women's firefighing boots. It is the first time in 9 years I have had a woman's boot and the difference is amazing. I don't have to worry about losing my boots during a search and rescue (or anyone stealing them since they say women's on the sizing label- haha).