Question:
The following information was provided by a very good friend of mine and
also of "Station 51" here, George Ashley who was a real live member of L.A.
County Fire. George was Repair 10. His area was 8's, and also 110's amongst
the station in his Battalion area.
Answer:
He says the turnout coats were made for L.A. County Fire by Globe
Industries. (L.A. County Fire now buys from Lion
Apparel which supplies the yellow turnout coats you see on L.A.
firefighters). Globe Industries still makes turnout coats
and turnout pants but owing to it has been 32 years, their products have
been revised so much that they do not resemble
those used by L.A. County Fire at the time of Emergency!. The materials used
are quite different from back then too.The basic product they sell now is
much different looking. Yellow or cream with reflective safety bands on the
sleeves and chest.
The helmets were made by Bullard. Bullard makes a comprehensive line of
Firedome brand helmets. These don't look
like the old "skunk" helmet and are available in thermoplastic or
fibreglass. Helmet technology has progressed exponentially
since E!. Quite interestingly, Bullard is the manufacturer of the three rib
hard hat you see on construction workers (er ladies,
look from the neck up not from the neck down please at construction
workers!) and has made hard hats since the 1930's.
Bullard is credited as being the inventor of the thtree ribbed hard hat you
see on construction workers.
Dark trousers, short sleeve button down light blue shirt, vee neck white
t-shirt (crew neck type t shirts not allowed), and black socks and shoes
completed the duty uniform, plus nametag. The trousers, shirts and socks
were available from Sears and Penny's. The navy windbreaker seen on early
episodes was also store bought.
Completing the ensemble was an issued L.A. County Fire badge and L.A. County
Fire belt buckle and a soft LACFD cap.
George says that upon leaving L.A. County Fire, the bunker gear, name tag,
badge and belt buckle had to be turned in.
He forgot about the belt buckle and name tag and kept them.
He also says that dress uniforms were issused to safety personnel
(firefighters) and the boys related to the Fire Shop did not
have a dress uniform.
The style like "Emergency!" is still kinda made...it's called traditional
style...similiar anyway. The yellow or black bunker gear is usually NOMEX,
the light tannish gear is usually PBI ...it's is a heck of alot better than
the nomex. They are also making others now though....... Most coats come in
regular length, and metro style, which means they are shorter....what i
think is interesting about the show.....nobody wore bunker pants during the
day, but when they got toned out at night, they jumped into
bunkerpants/boots....and ran to the trucks....always thought that was funny,
must have :HOTTER AND BIGGER structure fires at night over in L.A.
county...ha,ha
