VIDEO: The Oklahoma City Fire Department is implementing another step to help firefightersโ health and safety as they are exposed to smoke, debris and cancer-causing chemicals. The unit is called Utility 23 and holds an extra set of gear for firefighters at a scene.
โIt consists of three layers of gear that help protect us from the elements that we might encounter while inside,โ said Jack Alexander, a Corporal at the OKCFD. While on scene, firefighters can rotate their gear, which gives a quick turnaround to continue serving the community. โIt allows the crews to stay in service, minimizing downtime and having a fresh set of clean gear,โ said Alexander.
In addition to allowing fire crews to work continuously at a scene, theyโre also exposed to carcinogenic elements more than the average person, so switching out the gear means theyโre less exposed for a longer period. Crews battling a fire Sunday night used Utility 23 while on scene. โOn this particular fire, we had 3 crews on the inside doing search and fire attack, and all of those 3 crews will get their gear traded out โ 12 sets,โ batt. Chief Greg Lindsay, OKCFD.
Itโs a rotating cycle to get their old gear back. โUsually we have a four to five day turnaround, so, within less than a week, theyโll have their original bunker gear back,โ said Chief Lindsay.
