Flint - (03/11/04) -- Just a few weeks ago, Flint fire stations received new gear for firefighters. Now the Flint Fire Department has decided to shelf the equipment.
The decision came straight from Flint Fire Chief Bob Elizondo after numerous reported problems with the equipment that caused injuries to firefighters. ABC12's Katie Mitzner had more.
This was the first time in years that Flint firefighters had received new turnout gear. Paid for by federal grants, it was supposed to be top-of-the line equipment.
But now for safety reasons the department has been told: "Don't wear it."
When we met with Elizondo last month, he was excited for his crews and what the shiny, new turnout gear meant to them.
"It's moments like that when you can get them new bunker gear, get them new fire trucks, get them new self-contained breathing apparatus -- those types of things are what brings the morale back up," he said.
But now the crews are back in their old gear after numerous firefighters experienced safety problems with their new gear.
The Flint Fire Department tested the gear a year before placing the order; they wonder now if the gear they purchased was the same as the stuff they tested.
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