Indian River Receives New Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has recently accepted delivery of 20 sets of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE).   

Every volunteer firefighter wears a full set of specially made firefighting clothing called “turnout gear”.  A full set of turnout gear consists of a helmet, jacket, bunker pants, boots, firefighting gloves, rescue gloves, general purpose gloves, eye protection, and a nomex hood. The total price for this ensemble is just over $5,218 per firefighter.

The turnout gear must be replaced every 5-10 years depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Additionally, each interior firefighter may wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) consisting of an air cylinder, a harness system, a mask mounted regulator, PASS device, and a face mask. The cost on one complete SCBA is estimated at $4,825.00 as well as their radio communication devices estimated at $3,765.00. This brings the total cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) for a firefighter to just over $13,808 per firefighter.

This publication is intended to highlight the expenses associated with the equipping of a volunteer firefighter as well as showcasing the newly acquired firefighter PPE.

The Delaware fire service does receive some funding via the Delaware General Assembly with Grant-In-Aid funding but relies heavily upon localized fundraising, fund-drives, and grant awards.  This new PPE actual cost was $103,354 and partially funded via grant funds of $79,900 and our fire company resources of $23,454.

In the foreseeable future, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company will be replacing an additional 26 sets of firefighter PPE to ensure every member is suited for their respective firefighter assignment(s). 

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company would like to acknowledge and thank you our community constituents for their support.