The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is providing career and volunteer firefighters with high-tech personal protective clothing (PPC) to wear over the summer.
In a statement, the Department said the PPC would provide cutting-edge performance, durability and, most importantly, the best protection available.
“We are undertaking a staged rollout of the 3,200 sets of new PPC, with career stations the first to receive the clothing and volunteer units to receive them in early January,” the Department said.
“The new Level 2 PPC, used primarily in response to structure fires and HAZMAT incidents, provides the very best protection available around the world, with advanced materials sourced from as far as the United States.”
It said the PPC had been designed in consultation with experienced WA firefighters, with the multi-layered garments lighter, more comfortable and flexible.
“A new protective hood provides a much higher level of protection and safety, manufactured with a 99.9 per cent particulate barrier,” the Department said.
“The tunic and over-trousers are made up of three layers, an outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal liner, to maximise flame protection and restrict penetration of liquids and chemicals.”
Minister for Emergency Services, Stephen Dawson said the new PPC was incredibly important in the modern world of structural firefighting, where products like lithium-ion batteries were starting house fires which could be extremely challenging to control and extinguish.
“As technology evolves, our Government will ensure that WA’s emergency services continue to adapt and invest in new equipment that keeps our personnel safe,” Mr Dawson said.
