Small Gear

[ADSN/WFLD]

We have had this problem with several of our female firefighters over the years.
Our department has had a very hard time finding gear, boots and gloves especially for some of our smaller members. Having gloves or boots a size or more too big isn't doing much to help them be effective on the fireground.
Any ideas or venders would be appreciated.

[cfr3504]

Is the gear that you are giving out "off the rack" sizes, or are you having them custom fitted for gear? I know that we have had some problems with gear not fitting people in the past. Some of our problems were with gear that is off the rack S,M,L etc. When we get gear now, we are having a rep come out a measure our members for it. It isn't costing us very much more, less than $100 per set I'm sure. If you are not currently issueing custom fit gear, this may be an option that would work for you. I know that most vendors I've worked with don't mind coming out. We currently get ours from Fire Brand which is out of Chesapeake, Va.

[ADSN/WFLD]

Thank you cfr, I think most of the gear was off the rack.
Any info about gloves? We are having a hard time finding small.

[NKF]

Many of the Manufacturers of gear make womens sizes, same with boots. Your officers need to make the decision to purchase new gear that fits! You can get small gloves almost from and manufacturer also.

[HFXFFF]

The best thing I ever did was join the PPE Clothing committee. I educated myself on how the clothing should fit. Manufacturer's mailed written literature to me and did several presentations to the committee. Firefighter safety is the most important factor to any department and if your gear doesn't fit you properly that is a hazard. The cost in lost wages and medical coverage for one incident would surely surpass the cost of properly measured female fitted firefighting suit. There are male and female patterns because of the differences in body structure. There is also the issue of liability to your department - if you get injured as a result of improper clothing and your department knew of and had the opportunity to provide you with a safer work environment and they didn't they may have a law suit on their hands. Not that you would do that but it may help you convince your department to buy suitable gear.

Dréa

[Brad Humston]

I am in the process of purchasing several items for the KCMO Fire Dept. and need help identifying manufacturers of firefighting gloves that fit females. Can anyone help?

[Althea Forhan]

I know that "Fireman IV" gloves come in X-small, which fit my small girly hands. Oddly enough Galls doesen't seem to have any XS gloves this catalouge, which reminds me, Does anyone know when the women's duty wear thing is supposed to go up on the superstore? I saw it in the magazine.

[paulp]

Same problem downunder with boots, gloves, overalls, turnout coats and helmets. I believe they make a small head insert for Pacific helmets but trying to get them makes you feel like its another urban myth. Manufacturers may make the gear but getting through the supply chain is impossible. The logic here is it is ok to scale a size 12 boot to size 4 and it will still be wearable.

Probably the best place to look would be Japan and I will do that next time I am there as the average fire fighter is alot smaller than in Aust. or I assume the US.

[ 07-01-2001: Message edited by: Wombat ]

[captstanm1]

Quaker Safety Prodicts makes a gear specifically for women. It is called ATHENA!

One of the female firefighters from North Naples Fl will be wearing it in the Firefighter Combat Challenge

[heathern]

I just received new gear about one month ago. Our chief had ours made custom fit from SSI Emergency Equipment out of Aurora, Colorado. We went with Quaker and they do have women's gear. But, I just had mine custom fit in the men's and it fits great. SSI has a web site: www.ssifire.com (http://www.ssifire.com)

[JEMFWFD]

TRY OVEN MITS. THEY SHOULD FIT PRETTY GOOD. YOU CAN FIND SOME AT WWW.BAREFOOTANDPREGNANT.COM (http://WWW.BAREFOOTANDPREGNANT.COM)

[DianeC]

Hmmmmm......Interesting concept, but I don't think I'd be able to grip too much with oven mitts......LOL.... :D I prefer the extra small gloves.....And nobody else can fit them, so they're always in my pocket. :p

[MrFreeze]

JEMFWFD! Out of the gene pool!
Although I ashamedly admit, I did laugh. More at the audacity...
Diane do you have an New Yawk accent?

[captstanm1]

Quakers Athena Gear is custom fit not only in chest and arms but in coat length. They add an extra measurement from the neck to the "dimple" in the back and therefore give you a custom length coat. This feature eliminates the coats being so long on most women.

[jrfemaleff74]

JEMFWFD :o :o
You really are a jerk. Get in the kitchen and make your own damn dinner!