Clearwater firefighters are more mobile and more comfortable on scene after receiving new, lightweight turnout gear.

The department used CARES Act funds for the purchase, which included 25 sets of coats, pants, and boots. New helmets were also purchased.

Prior to receiving the new gear, firefighters had been wearing jumpsuits to medical calls where they didn’t need as much protection, however they were hard to get into quickly. 

The new coats and pants are constructed of the same protective outer shell but don’t include all of the inside layers traditional firefighting turnout gear is made of. They’re safe to wear in all situations with the exception of structural fires; during those calls the firefighters will wear their original heavyweight gear.

The new coats are longer for added protection, include all the reflective elements required, and are personalized on the backs with each firefighter’s last name for easy identification. Along with allowing firefighters to be more mobile and less burdened down with weight, the coats and pants can be easily washed and dried, a task that is much more difficult with traditional turnout gear.

The newly purchased helmets are also an upgrade. The front of each is personalized with firefighters’ names and they’re color coded; firefighters wear a specific color depending on their rank in the department. Both of these features allow for quick identification during stressful situations where every minute counts. 

As an added bonus, the new helmets’ protective visors tuck up inside them, a money-saving feature over the old helmets, which flipped up over the top.

“These helmets cost more up front but will be cheaper in the long run,” said Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon. “The visors on the old helmets often get broken when they’re flipped up, and they’re expensive to replace.”

Total cost of the new protective gear was $33,000. The fire department used their $30,000 of CARES Act funds for the purchase. The rest of the money was provided by Clearwater Twp., which donated the $3,000 they had left over from their own CARES Act funds.

The Clearwater Fire Dept. is always looking for firefighters. Anyone who would like to apply is encouraged to stop by city hall to pick up an application.