TOP PHOTO: Veteran Firefighter Joey Gilbert showcases his new gear. The air mask he’s wearing contains an infrared camera, a screen for viewing and a voice amplifier.

From helmet to turnout boots, all La Follette Firefighters have new turnout gear.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The La Follette Fire Department continues making progress in protecting a life to save property and life. “The entire department, all 21 full-time front line firefighters, now has all new bunker gear (also known as turnout gear),” said Chief Jimmy Pack.

When you add up the weight of the turnout gear, air pack and tools, a firefighter is carrying about an extra 120 pounds.

Pack said that half of the new gear arrived last year, and the other half came in this year. All the new helmets were delivered last week.

Veteran Firefighter Joey Gilbert takes us through his new gear. A firefighter since 1982, Gilbert has seen a lot of the improvements over the years and calls the LFD’s new equipment “extremely new technology.” He explains that it’s just been a process to get to where we are today with equipment all these years later.

Firefighter Gilbert holds his mask with the infrared camera on the left. The voice amplifier is actually on the mask on the left.
““Thermal imaging helps us a lot,” said Gilbert. This is a close up of the camera which runs on batteries. Blue tooth connects the infrared camera to the screen.
Gilbert points to the screen that is within view inside his mask. Though it is a tiny screen, it’s small enough so it won’t obstruct their view, but big enough to see perfectly in a fire.

Pack calls off the cost each individual piece of equipment starting with the $9,000 air pack and mask, coat and pants for $1,800, turnout boots of $475 along with $245 for helmets and a pair of gloves costing $80 plus the Nomex hoods that cost $50 each. “We’re right at $12,000 to outfit a firefighter. That’s what it takes to protect them while they’re protecting our citizens and property,” said the chief.

Gilbert is suited up and ready to battle a fire from his turnout boots to the black helmet on top of his head. The coat has a thermal layer and a vapor barrier, reduces heat and does not allow any steam inside the equipment.
Firefighting hoods have been protecting firefighters for years from heat, but recent innovations in hood design and fabrics have added protection from toxic carcinogenic particulates. The hood LFD Firefighters use is the Nomex hood.
The air pack’s air gauge regulator is draped over a firefighters shoulder. It includes a red alarm button.

“The gear helps dramatically in dealing with the heat. The outer layer of the jacket is rated up to 1,500 degrees,” added Gilbert.

In Gilbert’s left hand is the actual regulator for his air pack that snaps into the mask.
Shiny new helmets for all LFD Firefighters arrived last week.

La Follette is the only fire department in the county with thermal imaging. “All 21 full-time front line LFD firefighters are outfitted in full gear plus air packs,” stated Chief Pack. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/12/2021-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

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