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The CFA Chief Officer has approved a new Policy on the old Woollen Black Turnouts Coats, reversing a previous ban.
They will now be officially called the "Interim Warm Jacket" and can be worn where members would normally wear WildFire PPC, except for when heat buildup is an issue.
The new policy provides guidance on when they can be worn and how Incident Controllers can determine when they are appropriate. The policy is largely consistent with VFBV's submission to the Chief Officer dated 11th July 2012, which argued for a common sense approach and that CFA should use the existing jackets until there is funding and approval for a replacement Jacket which could take years. VFBV delegates have been working with CFA through the Joint State PPE/C Committee to progress this issue over many months.
CFA and VFBV have agreed restrictions should continue on their use in the structural environment, however the new policy allows for a risk assessment to be carried out and now gives Incident Controllers the authority to authorise their use where it is deemed appropriate.
The Joint State PPE/C Committee is evaluating alternate cold climate garments to prepare for a future funding bid.
The new policy can be downloaded from below.
