Fire Rescue Outfits Explained
Thursday, February 28, 2013 @ 3:52 AM
Prince George, B.C. –Earlier this week, one of our posters posed questions about the Fire Rescue Service in Prince George outfitting it’s members with down filled jackets and cold weather boots that are not safety rated, “but they do look good” wrote the contributor.
250News contacted Prince George Fire Rescue Chief John Lane to get the details on the claim.
Chief Lane confirms, members have been outfitted with new jackets and boots, “which are considered part of their uniform and are appropriate for the climate.”
According to the comment on 250News, the City Fire Rescue Service members received “down filled club jackets” that cannot be used near fire because they are not safety rated. The post also noted members were outfitted with boots that are good to -100 Fahrenheit, but are also not safety rated.
Supplying uniforms to members is part of the collective agreement says Chief Lane. “We require our members to wear uniforms, we are required to supply them with uniforms that are appropriate to the climate, winter boots are certainly part of that.” Chief Lane says personal protective gear is also supplied, those being the items a firefighter is required to wear when responding to an emergency.
The cost of the uniform issue jackets and boots is part of the annual budget, and although the number of firefighters on the payroll has increased, Chief Lane the amount budgeted for uniforms has declined by about 15% since he first arrived in 2005. Chief Lane did not have the exact amount for the expenditure for the uniforms “We have one budget figure that includes all of the personal protective gear as well as the uniform gear.” He says the uniforms are issued on “an as needed basis” and says the uniform items are top notch “We certainly buy top quality gear but as a result of that, we have to replace it much less frequently.”
Comments
I think if I knew that much about the uniforms I would know how much they cost!!! I bet that figure is sky high!
When was it -100 in PG? Sure the collective agreement might say they have to supply uniforms but such extravagant ones? Like most collective agreement do they get a new set every two years? Well at least they are spending their budget so it doesn’t get clawed back like the RCMP.
I think anyone who has had to stand still for an extended period of time (say when trying to extract an injured person) needs the best boots they can get. The ratings usually presume modest activity and are at best optimistic. And quality equipement does last.
Next time your hanging upside down in your car. When they’re using the jaws of life to save you, tell them you don’t think there jackets and boots are fair.
Thank you fire rescue.
Personal protective gear I can understand. Expensive club jackets and boots for hanging around the firehall I cannot.
If these expensive yet useless club jackets and boots form part of the uniform I take it then that they’re not allowed to wear them when they’re off duty?
Where I work I was supplied with a $50 windbreaker with the business name on it 5 years ago. No updates since. I don’t think it has affected my work performance though. Just because the collective agreement says they CAN have those things, does that mean they HAVE to have it at such expense. As with any entity that is firmly attached to the public tit they feel the need to spend every last cent regardess of whether it improves the perforance of not.
“I think anyone who has had to stand still for an extended period of time (say when trying to extract an injured person) needs the best boots they can get.” … as the articles states, these are NOT work boots, they are kicking around everyday boots.
These people put thier lives on the line for us, they risk reduced length of life due to work hazards.
As for Noway you should check out how clothing is rated before you talk anymore.
You can also read any union in BC collective agreement online.
Show some appreciation people. Lots of union shops give out jackets etc.. is that wrong as well ? I got a hat last month.. OMG how dare they. I know you will say its from the taxes they are bought with.. but without them you might die or lose a loved one or all your possessions.. a little bonus is a bit of appreciation for what they do.
I don’t thing they are talking about the turnout gear thats worn when the firefighters are called out a couple of times a week to a car accident or to rescue a cat. It is the jackets and boots they wear when they think they look good driving around the malls.
P Val, you suggest that people show some appreciation. While I appreciate the work our firemen (oops, Fire Rescue Service Members) do, I think that the taxpayer’s appreciation is shown every time that members receive their paycheque. These people are very well compensated for the work that they do. Many have salaries that far exceed $100,000.00 per year, plus pensions and benefits. No one is forced to become a Fire Rescue Service memeber! Providing top notch personal protective wear is certainly appropriate and should be expected. Providing top notch unnecessary “uniform” items, hmmmmm, not so much!
bentely and others what an attitude, just amazing. Hope you or a loved one if you have any do not have a heart attach or get into a car accident and need serious help.
What do you folks suggest, they wear their turn out gear at all times? Come on suggestions please.
Amazing lack of intelligence on this site at times.
You are right Bentley.. the turn out gear is far more expensive. as for their salaries make sure you check out how much overtime they work to get those wages. And in comparison we paid $350,000 to some accountants for a few weeks work. As for no one is forced to do the job.. you are correct, then again if you wanted you could have choosen that profession. How many uniforms do the cops have ?
Posted by: seamutt on February 28 2013 9:17 AM
bentely and others what an attitude, just amazing. Hope you or a loved one if you have any do not have a heart attach or get into a car accident and need serious help.
What do you folks suggest, they wear their turn out gear at all times? Come on suggestions please.
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They do. What do you think they’re wearing when they attend a crash site? It sure ain’t their down filled jackets.
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“Amazing lack of intelligence on this site at times.”
No comment. :)
“The cost of the uniform issue jackets and boots is part of the annual budget, and although the number of firefighters on the payroll has increased, Chief Lane the amount budgeted for uniforms has declined by about 15% since he first arrived in 2005.”
I’ll bet the Core Review will have some findings here… oh wait, fire services are exempt from the Core review.
Ha,ha ! The Chief did a great job skirting around the cost……..he should run for politics !
Johnnybelt: “Personal protective gear I can understand. Expensive club jackets and boots for hanging around the firehall I cannot”
Gotta go with JB on this one; safety on the job is a no brainer and should not be used to defend wasteful spending of tax dollars at any time. (still not clear if that is actually the case here, just a general statement overall).
The PGFRS members do a lot of charity work around the city, these jackets are part of that uniform.
oh oh some of you have riled up the old boys club…..Dont you know you should never question the city fire dept. Every job has its risks whether it be poice, fire, ambulance…..no ones job is above any one elses. What about the traffic control person who risks their life, what about the cashiers at service stations etc…they all provide a service and they all are at risk. No ones job is greater than another.
“The uniform costs have DECREASED 15% since 2005 with more members on board. “
This is meaningless without some real numbers behind it. The fire chief seems to not know how much was spent on uniform attire, but knows that the budget has been reduced by 15%.
most paid emergency responders I know would respond to an emergency regardless of whether they were on duty or not, if it was brought to their attention.
any “uniform” that would advertise their presence in the general population, even while off duty, would enhance our safety.
just imagine that a child spots and recognizes a policeman or fireman and goes to that person to ask for help for his/her father who has just collapsed in a public place.
i wish our “civic leaders” were willing to spend more money on “club jackets” and less money on extravagant public buildings
Some people are just out looking for a fight no matter how much information and truth one tries to pound through their dense skulls. 53 NRTH was simply trying to feed you seemingly unbiased information and you jumped all over him/her. Ridiculous.
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”
-Stephen Hawking
Hey JB, Fire was a huge part of the core review. I’ve been unfortunate enough to had to have utilized their services on a couple of occasions, and as such find several of the comments on here discussing. I could care less if they show up at my home in gold plated armour, or a pink tutu, without their attendance my life would not be what it is today. Thank-you to you all, especially those working at the 5th avenue station.
I thought fire and police were excluded from the core review. That’s what I heard at the beginning of the process. If that’s not the case, I stand corrected.
I do find it interesting when questions are raised, new posters come out of the woodwork to quickly tell everyone how important fire services are.
The fact that fire services are important isn’t the debate, it’s whether they are spending taxpayer money wisely. Bringing up other examples of waste is no defense and an attempt to muddy the waters, imo.
Thanks to our City Firefighters for being there for anyones time of need whether it be a car accident or slip and fall, medical call or a fire. You deserve the turn out gear and the off hours coats and boots you wear. You give your own time to local charities and sit at tables to sell your tickets for the motorbike and the boot campaign. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
“You deserve …… the off hours coats and boots you wear.”
No they don’t. If they want some fancy duds they can pay for them out of their own pockets. I have enough fingers in my pockets already.
Spent tax dollars should be transparent and accountable………just tell us…….how much did they cost and was there a need ?
Really? We’re going to skimp on fire department uniforms? Lets worry about cutting back on trips to China, for ridiculous city council. And oh yeah, do we really need to have the mayor’s parking space cleared of snow several times per day?
Ok I guess I stirred the pot here – 1st and formost Thanks to opinion 250 for attempting to set the record straight on this issue.
2nd – at no time did anyone say that the Prince George Fire Rescue Service did anything less then a great job when required.
3rd – The issue as I see it, – in this day in age is the monies spent with due diligence is all we are looking at a 3.5 % tax increase and a rough calculation of a hundred thousand dollars spent on “uniforms” just before the end of the City Fiscal Year proper due diligence or could half that amount been spent and recieved a proper outfitted fire rescue person maybe not the 700 dollar club jacket but the 300 dollar jacket that would be more in line and reasonable.
4th – Its were interesting the lack of support that the RCMP has recieved in numerous columns on this page and they also attend collisions, medical calls, Yes I know the everyone hates it when they are there cause someone did something to attract there attention but there the first you call in any situation
Just saying – really
Lets face it – 2 barbaques and 2 sleep overs and everyone loves you for it.
Like I’ve heard Firemen need hero’s too – so they have to look up to the police officer’s
Ninety percent Medical calls that the ambulance personal attend to and the fire rescue department brings 1000 gallons of water with them – never thirsty
Lets agree that all the emergency personal in this City does a great job, just some are better at reasonsible financial management.
53 NRTH on February 28 2013 2:23 PM
They are to be worn at work …or …..to and from work. Not off hours unless approved to do philanthropy work.
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Just out of curiosity, what ‘philanthropy work’ do you do that requires boots rated to -100F? Are you saving the penguins? :)
getagripreally.. your statement of “Like I’ve heard Firemen need hero’s too – so they have to look up to the police officer’s” is so out to lunch.. but thanks for the laugh.
Wear those items bought well boys and girls.. thanks for all the fine work you do and keep it up.
Give all firefighters and city workers more. Enjoy your evening
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