Turnouts the same?

[Kiernan]

This may be a very stupid question...

Are the turnout/bunker gear sets that EMS personnel are given the same that firefighters have?

[wyesguy24]

More is needed. Are you talking private ambo? FF/Paramedic? Are these EMTs expected to make structural entry? Turnouts for accidents? Departments vary. What dept. are you talking about? What type of EMS system?

[SFDchief]

We issue our ems personel Globe gear that only offer flash protection. This way they have some protection for mvas. This is no where near the level of protection fire gear provides. The ems gear is ligher weight and about half the cost of fire gear.

[Kiernan]

I'm just trying to get a general idea. The turnouts would only really be worn for MVA's by EMS personnel. (EMT's, Medics, etc.) No department in particular. The stations around where I'm at are on the small side and each have their own way of doing things.

[Weruj1]

we have a combo dept in that we are all cross trained............there is no FIRE dept and EMS Dept......all do all ........ and are cross-trained for the same........... so we all have turn outs no matter what

[4bugles]

In my area, we do the same thing as SFDchief, EMS gear only offers flash protection. It's usually blue in color so we can pick them out on the scenes a little faster. Also, they don't wear a "fire helmet" either, they usually wear the wildland type helmet with a faceshield and no back bill, which seems to help when they are inside a vehicle.

[SFDchief]

Originally posted by Weruj1
we have a combo dept in that we are all cross trained............there is no FIRE dept and EMS Dept......all do all ........ and are cross-trained for the same........... so we all have turn outs no matter what

We too are a combo department as far as fire and ems is concerned and if someone wants to get cross trained that's fine providing they meet the stricter medical requirments for firefighting. Those that don't meet those requirments can only do ems. They can still respond to fires but are limited to operations of ems and rehab.

Our ems gear is also blue with a different helmet so theyr'e easier to identify asside from being more cost efficent and easier for those that don't need the full protection that regular bunkers offer.

[mstclair190]

What EMS wears for "bunker gear" varies widely. The two EMS only services I work part-time for have Fire-rated bunker gear (coat & pants) to use. Some others do the same. Their are a few using the new EMS style gear that is designed for EMS/Rescue work rather than structural firefighting. Some places only use coats/helmets.