11-29-2012 South Bend Fire Receives a New Look for the Department's Turnout Gear

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SpU TH 8F � G z s 1865 CITY OF SOUTH BEND PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR OFFICE OF THE MAYOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2012 Contact: Debra Johnson, Director of Communications Phone: 574-235-5853 SOUTH BEND FIRE RECEIVES A NEW LOOK FOR THE DEPARTMENTS TURNOUT GEAR SOUTH BEND—The South Bend Fire Department has received 251 sets of new firefighting personal protective clothing(turnout gear), coat and pants (bunkers). The new turnout gear is manufactured by Morning Pride of Dayton, Ohio a division of Honeywell. This replaces their older gear that was purchased in 2006. The South Bend Fire Department will conduct a demonstration of the new turnout gear Friday,November 30th. The demonstration will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Fire Station at 1222 S. Michigan St. What the public will see is a new look. The gear will be black with lime reflective strips that replace the tan color turnout gear. The color combination makes the firefighter more visible day and night. Firefighters will also have their names on their coats for their safety and easy identification. An Incident Commander at a scene will be able to tell who each firefighter is making it easier to give orders and warnings. What the public will not see is a better heat resistant fabric. This new high tech fabric will give the firefighters better protection in fires. A harness system incorporated into the gear will allow a firefighter to escape a life threatening environment through a window in an upper floor of a house or building. The new lining allows the firefighter's body heat to escape better so firefighters will not become overheated. A new type of knee giving firefighter's better knee protection. The new turnout gear is going into service this week and all firefighters will make the change by Friday. 1400 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING•227 W.JEFFERSON BOULEVARD•SOUTH BEND,INDIANA 46601 PHONE 574/235-9261• FAx 574/235-9892