These pants protected their legs from shrapnel, water, mud, and hot shell casings flying around and in these bunkers. Another theory about “bunker pants” comes from soldiers responsible for firing cannons from the built-up bunkers of World War I who wore padded pants. In the mid 1800s, “bunking” was the practice of sleeping at New York City’s volunteer firehouses, so the firefighter’s “bunking gear” would be the clothing he would wear when responding or “turning out” to a fire during nighttime hours. After speaking at length with fire history curator David Lewis, I can put forth several theories as to the terms’ origins. Firefighters also wore goggles, a leather hood, a nose clamp, and a whistle to complete Braidwood’s invention.Īs the firefighter’s personal protective equipment continued to develop, the terms “bunker gear” and “turnout gear” become part of history. Different size sacs were filled with air by a set of bellows and sealed with corks until needed. Two rubber hoses connected to a mouthpiece allowed the wearer to inhale fresh air. The airtight sac was worn on the firefighter’s back and secured with shoulder straps and a waist belt. The first self-contained breathing apparatus came in 1863, when James Braidwood put two canvas bags together lined with rubber. During the same time period, several attempts were made to invent a helmet with a hose attached to a pump that supplied fresh air. A miner named John Roberts invented a filter mask that was widely used in Europe and the United States. The concept spurred many more attempts to make a device that would be more effective. It wasn’t until 1825 Italian scientist Giovanni Aldini attempted to design a mask to provide heat protection and fresh air. The beard may have acted as a filter, but they would still get choked up by the fire’s by-products. Tales are told of firemen growing beards, soaking them in water, biting the beards, and breathing through them when in a smoke-filled environment. Some archived history of the Huron (OH) Fire Division also confirms the use of rubber boots purchased for $10 and rubber raincoats purchased for $12 in the mid 1930s.Īlso in the early years, respiratory protection for firefighters was minimal. Boots made of rubber also kept the wearer’s feet dry. Rubber slickers worn over the wool coats added another layer of protection from the heat and most definitely kept the wearer dry. 2Īs rubber development progressed, it played a beneficial role in firefighter clothing. To finish off the uniform, they wore leather boots.

Under the coat, firefighters wore a cotton or wool shirt that was usually red in color. Firefighters’ pants and a long trench coat with a stiff collar were made of wool. Wool, a heavy material that gave some protection against hot and cold environments, was used. Some old images also show firefighters holding the helmets in front of their faces as they battle wind or intense heat from a fire.Īround the same time Gratacap was producing the fire helmet of the future, the firefighter’s uniform also took a step forward. Finally the firefighter’s head was awarded some protection from falling materials and water that ran off the back of the helmet. 1 The design was a reinforced dome-shaped leather helmet with a front shield and brim rolling to a long back tail. Gratacap designed a helmet similar to the one we use today, referred to as the “traditional” fire helmet. It was leather, with a high crown and wide brim. Jacobus Turck, the “caretaker” of New York City’s two then-new Newsham hand pumpers, is credited with inventing the first fire helmet in the 1730s. Interior operations were not possible because the everyday clothing firefighters wore offered insufficient protection from heat and flames.Īs firefighting evolved, so did the equipment firefighters wore. Structures often burned to the ground because firefighters fought the fires from the outside.

In the 1600s, firefighters had to deal with the fire, heat, and smoke without modern technology. We can look back at American history and see that fire was present in our country’s first colonies.

Fire man pants