Monday April, 20 2015

Nature: Public Relations – Educational Awareness Initiative

What does it cost to fully equip a firefighter with adequate personal protective equipment?

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has decided to initiate a public relations campaign to educate our constituency in order to enhance the overall awareness of the fire service within the State of Delaware. This campaign is intended to highlight the expenses associated with the equipping of a volunteer firefighter and then will evolve into training and other relevant topics.

As you may be aware, the Delaware volunteer fire service unique and completely 100% volunteer with the exception of the City of Wilmington and some within the City of Dover.

The Delaware fire service does receive some funding via the Delaware General Assembly with Grant-In-Aid funding but relies heavily upon localized fundraising and fund-drives.

This campaign is an effort to enhance awareness of what it costs to equip a firefighter for active fire suppression service. In doing so, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has constructed a mannequin to resemble a fully equipped firefighter and we will illustrate costs of the anticipated equipment.

What is the cost for a full set of firefighting turn-out gear including SCBA and radio communications?

Each member wears a full set of specially made fire fighting clothing called “turnout gear”. A full set of turnout gear consists of a helmet, jacket, bunker pants, boots, firefighting gloves, general purpose gloves, eye protection PASS device, and a nomex hood. The total price for this ensemble is just over $3,685.00 per firefighter. The turnout gear must be replaced every 5-10 years depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. The self-contained breathing equipment consists of an air cylinder, a harness system, a mask mounted regulator, and face pieces (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 $12,010.

In the foreseeable future, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company will be hosting a local competition with local elementary school students to name the mannequin.

This mannequin was the brainchild of Leolga Wright with construction and deisgn being coordinated by Jacob Adams and fellow firefighting associates.

The public perception of this initiative has been exceptional to date.

http://www.irvfc.com/gallery?id=1791&ss=1