Gear Alterations
Working as tailors in addition to fighting fires, the Hickory, N.C., fire Department has made several alterations to its conventional turnout gear. The changes were adapted by Captain L. Kent Brown, department training officer, from the design on NASA astronaut suits.
A 10 x 10-inch pocket was placed on the right leg of the bunker pants, distributing the weight of its contents—gloves, flashlights, personal items—onto the femur, the strongest bone in the body. A trigger hook was placed on the upper right side of the bunker coat to hold gloves and facepiece spider without interfering with wearing an air pack.
The cost was $2 for labor and the trigger hook, and $4 for pocket material and labor. Inquiries are welcome by the department, 19 Second St. Dr., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601.
