When people talk about the uniforms that firefighters wear while on the job, most people talk about the fireproof jackets and helmets they wear when fighting a fire. However, more equipment than jackets and helmets are necessary to keep firefighters safe. The information below will help you if you find yourself asking, “what do firefighters wear at the station?”
Standard Uniform
While aspects of the shirts and pants worn by on-duty firefighters vary from station to station, the one consistent thing is the use of fire-resistant material in their uniforms. Most people don’t think that is important unless you’re fighting a fire, but they have to wear their clothes underneath their firefighting uniform. There is more to know about layering, but the biggest takeaway is that layering with fire-resistant clothing keeps them safe.
Simply making their uniforms fire-resistant isn’t enough, though. Since they wear these every day they are at work, it helps if they’re comfortable. Even though any flame-resistant material will do, most departments opt to make their uniforms out of Nomex®. This is because the material is often considered the most lightweight and breathable brand on the market. Not only do firefighters need comfortable clothes throughout the day, but many of them sleep in their uniforms in case of a late-night fire. If their uniforms are stiff and unpleasant, they won’t want to sleep in them. That will force them to take longer to change before they can hop on the truck. In a job like this, that can cost people’s lives.
Types of Shoes
Since the firefighting uniform has its own pair of shoes, most people assume that firefighters can wear whatever shoes they want around the station—this is not true. While not all departments require their employees to wear the same type of shoe, many require steel-toed boots. Firefighters still deal with heavy equipment when working around the station. If they were to hurt their toes by dropping something, they can’t help when it’s time to rush to a fire.
Another requirement of their shoes is that they are easy to pull on and off. This is a quality that is hard to find in boots since they go so far up your ankle and are made not to slip off as easily as regular shoes. It’s a necessity, though, because they need quickly switch to their firefighting boots at a moment’s notice.
So hopefully, this has answered the question for those wondering, “what do firefighters wear at the station?” The requirements are strict, but that makes sense after seeing the risks of breaking the dress code.