VFBV has been working with CFA’s State PPE&C Management Centre over the past year to develop a suitable additional jacket as an alternative to provide relief from cold and inclement weather.
With the withdrawal of the black woollen jackets from service, volunteer delegates identified that in cold climatic conditions across Victoria, predominantly where members are not issued with Structural PPC, the current Bushfire PPC jacket does not provide sufficient warmth during situations such as road accident rescue, storm events and other non-firefighting applications.
As bushfire PPC is inherently light weight to minimise the risk of metabolic heat build-up in the body, the challenge has been to design a garment to provide relief from cold and inclement weather, whilst providing good levels of day and night visibility, along with limited protection from heat and flame.
This jacket is not intended to replace bushfire PPC, and is not to be used for firefighting purposes, but may be used for other fireground or brigade activity where weather conditions and work load allow.
The prototype jackets are now being field tested, with four jackets provided to every CFA district.
The trial will go for 12 weeks, and District Offices have been asked to make the garments available to interested individuals that are willing to trial the jackets.
Districts have been asked to prioritise members who do not currently have access to structural PPC, are located in Brigades that best meet the intent of the trial (cold climate), are relatively active and willing to provide documented feedback. If you are interested in trialling the jacket, please make contact with your Operations Manager/Operations Officer for further information.
