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Fire department briefs committee on turnout-gear lifecycle and planned purchases
Summary
Fire department staff presented a turnout-gear (bunker-gear) primer, said the department will buy 25 coat-and-pant sets for 2026 (12 for District 2) and signaled a larger 2027 purchase of 57 sets with a proposed cost-sharing plan.
Fire-department staff delivered a technical briefing on turnout (bunker) gear, its lifecycle and the department’s planned purchases.
The presenter said turnout ensembles (coats and pants) have technical layers governed by NFPA standards, are inspected and pressure-tested routinely, and that the department maintains two sets per firefighter to avoid downtime. On purchases, staff said they plan a 2026 buy of 25 coat-and-pant sets; 12 sets are scheduled for District 2 and 13 for the city. Staff also outlined a potential 2027 procurement of 57 sets and a proposed cost-sharing model under which the city would cover 80 percent, Merriam 10 percent and the district 10 percent of future purchases.
During Q&A, staff explained that contaminated gear is typically washed at least four times per year (some sets six or seven times) using industrial extractors rather than household washers, and that warranties cover early years of service while the department staggers purchases so new hires are outfitted using reserves when practical. The briefing was presented as information; the committee did not take immediate procurement action on the 2026 purchase during the meeting.
