Badbug
April 29, 2003, 12:04am
1
My friend recently began training at a local fire dept. Neither of us knows why the heavy rubberized coats and pants are called “Bunker suits”. Any ideas?
From here
Today’s firefighters wear what are called “turnouts” or “bunker” gear, named from the custom of turning them inside out and leaving them next to bunks to decrease the time it takes to put them on. In the 1990s, fire turnouts changed from what had been long overcoats and tall rubber boots to jackets and pants that more completely cover and protect the body. Firefighters still wear protective rubber boots with steel toes and soles. Modern turnouts are made with two layers - an outside layer of a material called Nomex, which is fire-retardant but not completely fireproof, and an inner, waterproof layer. Although fire gear can be ordered from a catalog or online, it is not recommended for the non-professional, as a set of turnout coat and pants can cost a thousand dollars or more.
I really, really hope they’re not actually using rubberized coats!