Issues of Interest - Detailed View
New Structural PPC Update
Volunteers will be aware that late last year, following an extensive process, CFA Board made a decision to offer all CFA structural firefighters a choice of either a Nomex 3D and PBI Gold as an outer PPC shell. Both options will have an inner layer Gore Airlocker moisture barrier.
During the recent months, there has been much discussion about the CFA Board’s decision on this matter, including concerns about a subsequent CFA proposal to alter the outer of the Nomex ensemble from its original lime green/yellow colour so that it would match the tan brown colour of the PBI Gold ensemble.
It is pleasing to see that the CFA Board has recently reconsidered the matter of ensemble colour as outlined in the following communiqué from the CFA Fireflyer 31 January, 2008:
Following the Board’s decision to provide firefighters with a choice of two new structural ensembles – Nomex 3D and PBI gold – the Volunteer Associations wrote to the Board on 28 January stating:
“The Associations support CFA issuing the Nomex ensemble in the lime green colour only. . . Rather than this being an interim measure, the Associations’ preferred position is the Nomex material should continue to be provided in lime green and not dyed to match the PBI Gold colour.”
The CFA Board considered this request at its February meeting, when it accepted the Associations' position and resolved to provide CFA firefighters with the Nomex 3D structural ensemble in one colour only – lime green.
All structural firefighters will now be offered a choice of Nomex 3D or PBI Gold outer shell, both with a Gore Airlocker moisture barrier. This decision is based on providing individuals with personal preference and the fact that both ensembles exceed the required safety standards.
In restating its previous direction to rollout the new ensembles to structural firefighters as soon as possible, the Board also considered that this new decision to issue Nomex 3D in lime green only would simplify the overall project and remove any unwanted delays in the manufacture and distribution of the new ensembles.
The Board also considered the advice from the Chief Officer that the evolution of new technologies for firefighting ensembles would most probably lead to new materials in different colours being trialled within the life of the current structural ensemble project.
Nomex 3D outer shell with Gore Airlocker moisture barrier (left) and PBI Gold outer shell with Gore Airlocker moisture barrier.
Many brigades have understandably asked questions about the next steps regarding CFA structural PPC. As further information that may be useful to brigades, VFBV’s understanding of the current status is that CFA Deputy Chief Officer Haynes is now working with the PPC Design Review Committee (which includes Association and UFU representatives) to develop, final design detail (ie pockets, collar etc).
Our understanding is that the final detail design work will be completed by end February 2008 and signed off by CFA Chief Officer by mid March. Criteria and business rules for allocation of the new Structural PPC are also expected to be finalised by end February. Once business rules have been finalised, CFA plans to commence measuring/fitting process starting from the busiest brigades – this process should start in late March.
Many brigades have sought advice from VFBV and the two Associations as to the best ensemble their members. CFA have advised that both ensembles exceed the required safety standards. Further to this, we can advise that the outcomes of the Structural Ensemble Working Party which used the results of physiological testing by the Wollongong University, hot fire trials at Fiskville and on-station trials to rank 8 different ensembles in a priority order that Nomex ensembles were ranked first, second and third by the Working Party.
Further information is also located on the CFA’s Fire Flyer webpage.
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