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Fire fighters' gear over the last 30 years: "We looked just like that."

The evolution of New York City firefighters' gear over the past 30 years is now on display on the first floor of the Museum. Three mannequins model the protective outer garments and breathing apparatus worn and used by fire fighters in the 1970's, 80's and 90's. All three represent members of truck companies, allowing the Museum to show a variety of tools and equipment. Dramatic differences can be seen in the transition from the turnout coat of the 1970's to the bunker gear of today, while the basic form of the firefighter's helmet has remained relatively unchanged. This exhibit is a major step in the Museum's effort to cover more recent history, to allow the visitor to compare firefighting today to what it was like a century or more ago, and to provide a place where a retired fire fighter can take his family and show them the kind of gear commonly used during his years on the job.

Our visitors now can see how tattered turnout coats and beat up helmets were a common appearance in the fire-ravaged sections of New York City in the 1970's. Many firefighters wore this "salty" look with pride, proof of the numerous fires they fought. By the mid-1970's the number of alarms had risen to nearly 400,000 per year--triple the previous decade's average. The Museum's 1970's firefighter is wearing a leather helmet with a handy wooden doorchock attached by a band of tire rubber. This practice, although officially frowned on, continues today. The much-used turnout coat reaches to the knees. Non-regulation dungarees and combat boots, common at the time, protect his feet and legs. Strapped to his back is a Scott Air-Pak, a self contained breathing apparatus consisting an aluminum tank connected by hoses to a mask that covers his entire face. The tank holds compressed filtered air, not pure oxygen, and provides about a half hour of breathing time. The weight of the tank--roughly thrity pound--is carried by the firefighter's back. In the late 1970s improved lighter equipment, designed in cooperation with the US space program was introduced.

The Museum's 1980's "truckie" is being lowered from a window down a brick wall, using a life saving rope, a nylon chord 150 feet long that is used to rescue people from windows when there is no other escape route. The truckie is wearing a helmet made of leather and synthetic materials; although similar in appearance to earlier helmets, it has an impact liner that complies with federal (OSHA) safety standards. Most firefighters, however, prefer the older leather helmets for their look and comfort. His knee length coat is in better repair, reflecting a decrease in the number of fires, an increase in the number of fire fighters, and tighter enforcement of standards. Long rubber boots with steel toes and mid-soles protect his feet and legs.

A "can man" represents the 1990's for the Museum. Gone are the high boots and long turnout coat of earlier years, replaced by bunker gear that more completely protects the body; it consists of a matching jacket and pants of tear, fire, and water-resistant fabrics; blue suspenders, not red, hold up his pants. On his head is the same type of helmet as worn in the 1980's; strapped to his back is a newer version of the Scott Air-Pak which is much lighter than the 1970's version, with the weight carried on the hips rather than the shoulders. The "can" he is carrying is a two-and-a-half gallon extinguisher.

The exhibit was made possible in part by recent donations from Mr. Frank Lau of Firefighters Equipment of New York and Mike Krempasky, a member of the Fire Patrol and a dedicated NYCFM volunteer. It was put together with the help of Mike, and input from FF Jane Toohig, a member of the Museum's housewatch. Much to the Museum staff's satisfaction, the exhibit has met with the approval of retired firefighters. Retired FF John Kenny when confronted with the 1970's mannequin stared at it for a moment and said: "Yeah, we looked just like that."

by Peter Rothenberg

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