In the 2015/16 capital budget, City Council approved Fire Rescue’s request for $117,000.00 to purchase Fire Fighter protective clothing. This purchase is part of the Department’s 10 year capital replacement plan that provides for the purchase of new protective clothing every three years. The protective clothing currently being worn by Fire personnel will be placed in reserve status which will allow every person to have a replacement set of gear to use when their gear is being cleaned, repaired or if completely destroyed to be in service until a new set can be obtained.
The Fire Fighter protective clothing has a Class 2 harness belt and clip built into it that can be used by the Fire Fighter in emergency situations. The Fire Fighter can attach a rope or a descending device to the Class 2 clip to complete an emergency escape and be lowered to safety. The Class 2 harness is safer, quicker, more effective and efficient than the Class 1 belt system that is currently in use. The emergency descending device that is currently assigned to every Fire Fighter position is enhanced using the Class 2 Harness over the Class 1 gut belt and is easily deployed in the event of an emergency.
The purchase of this protective clothing meets all NFPA recognized standards and is a piggyback off the Palm Beach County Bid No. 14-045/ LC and the Lake County Bid No.12-0806.