Our wildland firefighters are composed of government officials, employees, and volunteers who risk their lives every time they face disasters. For that, their sacrifices will always remain priceless, which is also why their safety is a top priority.
An essential type of equipment that our firefighters require is a complete body gear and equipment.
Not very many of us know how much it costs to provide wildland firefighters with whole-body protection. Every firefighter must have personal protective equipment (PPE) and basic tools to prepare them for the hazard of wildland fires.
In this article, we’ll discuss the gear costs of wildland firefighters. First, let’s identify the appropriate uniform they have to wear every time they’re called out to face another brush fire.
What do firefighters wear for a brush fire?
Just like structural firefighters, our wildland heroes face a difficult job. The difference is that they fight dangerous flames through rough terrains and unpredictable weather. To overcome brush fire situations, they need the right gear that enables them to take necessary actions with extra precaution.
These are the required PPE for wildland firefighters:
Helmet
The helmet protects the head from falling or flying objects like broken branches and rolling rocks. They’re designed with a yellow color for visibility. Firefighter helmets are specifically made with heat-resistant thermoplastic to avoid or lessen injuries from impacts.
Some modern helmet models already have an attached pair of goggles or face shields for modified functionality. The hoodies include protection from the sides of the head down to the neck.
Goggles
The goggles allow firefighters to see through smoke, heat, and debris without damaging their eyes. They’re designed with a hard-coated, anti-fogging lens that can withstand up to 500°F roughly within a few short minutes.
Brush Shirt
The brush shirt is a long-sleeved coat that covers the neck, torso, and arms to the wrist. They’re manufactured with flame-resistant materials, such as Nomex or Tecasafe Plus.
Brush shirts have a loose-fitting to prevent the flames from causing serious burn injuries, in case it comes in contact with the suit. It also provides the wearer with extended mobility. Tight-fit brush shirts do not help with the heat and flame contact.
Brush Pants
The brush pants cover the legs down to the ankle. They’re also made with fire-resistant materials, such as Nomex, Tecasafe Plus Advance, and Pioneer. The materials do not only protect the skin from the heat and flame but to dodge the thick brush in the wildlands as well.
Boots
The high-rise boots protect each foot up to the area above the ankle, where it meets the bottom of the calves. It’s made of heavy-duty leather that supports the feet from the traction brought by long explorations in various wildland grounds.
It’s vital for firefighters to wear high-quality boots while they’re on site. Falling or slipping on uneven terrain is a cause for about 15% of the injuries reported by wildland firefighters.
Gloves
The gloves are made of heavy-duty, full-grained leather with a fire-resistant feature that helps with heat absorption. It also doesn’t shrink through the skin when exposed to heat.
Line Pack
The line pack is an emergency bag brought by wildland firefighters, which they carry on their back with safety belts secured around the hips and the chest. It contains all the items they need for the task, such as a first-aid kit, headlamp with extra batteries, map, compass, safety glasses, earplugs, a water bottle, fuses, MREs, etc. The pack should also be resistant to heat when exposed to wild flames.
Radio
Firefighters use the radio for internal communication. They constantly face life-threatening emergencies that require them to inform each other about site updates. The whole crew receives reports that allow them to navigate the situation using the right strategies, which prevents them from taking unnecessary actions.
Pulaski
A Pulaski is another essential tool carried by wildland firefighters. It has a long wooden handle and the double-purpose head that can be used as an ax blade or as a narrow trenching blade. Its purpose can either be for chopping brushes and branches or digging fire lines.
Drip Torch
A drip torch is a small handheld fuel tank. Wildland firefighters use it for burning materials on site.
Fire Shelter
A fire shelter is also an important tool in case a firefighter gets trapped in enclosed spaces surrounded by fire and harmful fumes. It’s made of fiberglass, woven silica, and aluminum.
The fire shelter serves as a source of breathable air while reflecting radiant heat. It shields the person inside the tent, preventing the hot gases from getting inhaled. Once it enters the airways, it can significantly damage the lungs.
This tool has saved many lives through the deadliest fire situations, both in structural and wildland fires.
How much does wildland firefighter gear cost?
We can never put a price on the services provided to us by our wildland firefighters. But it also means that every community should be aware of how the firefighters prepare to be well-equipped for all kinds of situations.
Let’s make a list of each item’s prices with an estimate from the possible lowest to highest rates available in the market.
Helmet: $50 - $300
Goggles: $40 - $100
Brush Shirt: $100 - $500
Brush Pants: $150 - $500
Boots: $300 - $600
Gloves: $30 - $100
Line Pack: $300 - $500
Radio: $800 - $1,000
Pulaski: $20 - $80
Drip Torch: $150 - $300
Fire Shelter: $400 - $800
The prices of the products depend on the brand and quality of the materials. For a complete wildland firefighter gear set, it can go for as low as $2,000 and as high as $5,000. That’s like an average of $3,500 for every set.
Wildland Firefighter Gear: High Cost For Priceless Sacrifice
As mandated in the U.S., the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) tests the standards for effective firefighting equipment. This entails a serious guideline on the quality of the firefighters’ gear and PPEs. And even though they come at a high cost, it will never amount to the sacrifice of the brave men and women who face the danger for the safety of every community.
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