No matter what your job is you never want to work with faulty tools. Every profession depends on tools to get the job done, whether it’s a laptop for a writer, a set of wrenches for a plumber, or a blackboard for a teacher. However, unlike these other professions, firefighters need perfect working tools for one very big reason. Survival. A bad tool can lead to further fires, injuries, or even deaths, whether it’s their own survival or that of the victims of fire. Here’s a quick guide on the importance of regular maintenance for firefighter tools.
Ensuring They Work
Imagine the heart-sinking feeling a firefighter would get during a fire as they discover their hose has a leak, their helmet has a crack, and their ropes are all about to snap under pressure. Needing tools that are in peak condition and ready to work is a given. Regular inspections and upgrades ensure their tools are in good condition and ready to work when it comes time to mount the trucks and roll. Errors are not an option when property, resources, and most importantly, lives are on the line.
Extending Their Use
Every occupation has its costs, especially when it comes to equipment. Fighting wildfires demands fire hoses that withstand heavy use and high heat, trucks that can hold up even on the roughest terrain, and personal protective equipment that protects without hindering the firefighter. Such things can cost a pretty penny, and not taking care of them can reduce their effectiveness and lifespan. Inspecting equipment and addressing wear and tear helps save money and lives.
Saving Time
Seconds count when a fire breaks out. Seconds that firefighters cannot spend making sure their tools are up to snuff. Regular inspections shave off response times, equally more time to save lives, prevent further damage, and head off aftereffects like soil erosion and further habitat destruction. As the adage goes, for want of a nail, et cetera, a kingdom was lost. The stakes can be just as high if not higher for wildfire fighters with faulty tools and equipment.
Staying Compliant
Firefighting equipment has some of the highest safety regulations and industry standards out there. These also cover equipment maintenance, so maintaining that equipment helps it adhere to those standards and regulations, meeting and even exceeding industry and government benchmarks. Plus, maintenance is a common best practice for any department.
How To Do It
Every firefighting crew, station, or department knows the importance of regular maintenance for firefighter tools and that they should implement an effective shared maintenance schedule. There’s a greater sense of duty and camaraderie at play when the crew works together to protect and preserve their equipment. Plus, they know they can trust their fellow firefighters to look after one another’s safety. Supply Cache provides the finest in wildland firefighting equipment, from wildland fire gloves to boots and other items. Contact us today for more information on buying and maintaining your equipment!