I know there is a thread on Nomex vs. fleece and why not to wear poly products. I can't find that thread, if a mderator wants to combine, thats would be great.

I haven't mentioned it here yet, but I got talked into becomming a volunteer fireman. I am doing the training right now for Firefighter 3 and EMT. I intended to just join as a support person, but I am having way too much fun. I have also become interested in the possibility of doing this as a career. Shift work fits well with a self employed A&P shop. When and if I become a flight instructor, scenic rides commercial pilot, or whatever, firefighting is a steady check, and benifits all while feeling really good about what I can contribute.

So anyways, I ways looking at brush fire gear and found this stuff:

http://www.firecache.com/products.asp?d ... =&sort_by=

Yep, Nomex fleece. On some of the other pages there is some pretty nice looking Nomex pants too.

D.

Neat find, lots of other cool stuff on that website.

Congrats on getting into the volunteer firefighting! It is easy to get hooked. With what FD? I was a wildland fire guy and worked in the woods, got into to the structure fire side as a volunteer just for fun. Fast forward a few years and paramedic training later and I made a career switch to the fire world and don't regret it.

Local company Massif makes some really nice Nomex
Fleece and other flame resistant clothing. Top Notch quality, but not cheap.

I contract for USFS, AMD/OAS, DOD, & DOI. The contracts require us to wear the proper PPE, which I do on non government jobs any how. I have flown with the flight suits for quite a while and I'm am thinking about moving to a two piece solution. Here is the coolest (heat wise) most comfortable solution I've came up with on the net. I've got experience with the pants but have not ordered the shirt yet.

http://www.drifire.com/drifire-navy-combat-shirt

http://www.nationalfirefighter.com/index.php?cPath=6_7

fern_hopper wrote:Neat find, lots of other cool stuff on that website.

Congrats on getting into the volunteer firefighting! It is easy to get hooked. With what FD? I was a wildland fire guy and worked in the woods, got into to the structure fire side as a volunteer just for fun. Fast forward a few years and paramedic training later and I made a career switch to the fire world and don't regret it.

Chelan District 7.
I think I may really like wildland.

D.

If you attend lectures of survival after a plane crash, perhaps the most common point is to count on only what you bring out of the plane on your body. Thus the recommendation for a survival vest, similar to a fly fisherman's vest. In recent meetings, some people has asked where you can find a fire resistant vest. Any ideas? Thanks

TN-

I recently bought a Stearns Nomex Inflatable Aviator Pilot Flight Vest, model I443, which is based on their fisherman's vest. It is orange (but not dayglo) making it quite visible, something SAR pilots say makes a very big difference. It inflates by mouth or a replaceable 26g CO2 cartridge. Besides the large pockets on the front, the back is one big, zippered pocket, which will easily acommodate a couple of flattened out water bags, an insulated survival blanket, several yard and garden trash bags, and a tube tent. Even loaded down, it distributes the load quite evenly on the shoulders, unlike my previous high-visibility nylon(!) vest. Coleman recently bought Stearns and immediately discontinued this model, but they are still available on ebay, and it uses the same Stearns CO2 refill kit as other current models:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stearns-Nomex-Inflatable-Aviator-Pilot-Flight-Vest-I443-Life-Jacket-PFD-Large-/150742426719?hash=item2318f2e45f&item=150742426719&pt=Motors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&vxp=mtr
The only shortcoming is that it has no reflective surfaces, but you can easily remedy that by applying 1" iron-on reflective tape. The tape isn't fire-proof, but then neither is all the survival gear you'll be carrying in the vest. The only size I've found is Large. If your chest or belly size is more than about 40" it might be too small when inflated.

Here is their latest model. I'm not sure how big the pockets are or whether it has one in the back. Plus it is more expensive.
http://www.goodboatgear.com/detail/18033/%20Stearns%20Inflatable%20Vest%20-%20Manual%20with%20Nomex%C2%AE%20Fabric

Doug Ritter's comments on the Stearns vest on "Equipped to Survive" (at the bottom):
http://www.equipped.com/onyrown.htm

David B said:

I think I may really like wildland.

It is satisfying to have worked in a profession that people write poems about. Retired 13 years ago and still answering the bell each summer.

An Old Wild land Fire Fighters Prayer

Let me lace up my boots one more time
and join my brothers and sisters on the line.
Another opportunity to work with the best
too young to stop… not old enough to rest.

Restore my eyesight and fix my knees
give me the energy to do as I please.
A fire assignment somewhere out west,
One more fire… one last quest.

Place me with friends from the past
Sign me up ...I promise I’ll last.
Grinning and grunting bent to the task
one last challenge is all that I ask.

Alongside of Mac, Ranger and young Blue
Flinging dirt and laughing… My lord what a crew!
C’mon just bend the rules for a shift or two
put me in the line-up… let me go against the flame.
One last inning … one last game.

Let me lace my boots up one more time
and join my brothers and sisters on the line.
give me another opportunity to work with the best
my last wish … my last request

Beautiful poem. My plans and direction in life have changed 10 times since my forced semi retirement in 2009. Wildland fire one week, EMT the next, light sport business last month. June first I will be in Bristol Bay wrenching on stuff for at least a couple months. I learning not to have plans and just to roll with it.

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