I got this info from our brothers in CFA over the border and this could also have an impact on the T-Shirts we wear due to a firefighter recieving burns.
The safety alert states that CFA issue poly cotton T shirts and CFA blue uniform dress shirts are NOT to be worn under turnout gear. Only 100% cotton shirts (which won't be available from central stores until early December) are to be worn.
The CFA were forced to act after being served with a Provisional Improvement Notice
The full content of the alert is as follows:
Suitable garments for use under turnout coats
The purpose of this alert is to provide safety advice regarding the issue of wearing polyester or blend fabrics under turnout gear. The current issue poly-cotton blend T-shirt and blue dress shirt has the potential to cause injury as they have been found to reduce breatheability and may melt and drip when exposed to significant heat and flame. Firefighters must not wear polyester or blend fabrics under turnout coats as they afford lower protection than cotton T-shirts. In the interim, only 100% cotton garments should be worn underneath the turnout coat.
An order has been instigated at Headquarters’ cost to replace the current CFA T-shirt with a cotton alternative. CFA is working with the manufacturer to ensure supply as soon as possible but it must be understood that the quantity and logistics involved are significant and therefore the earliest supply will be early December. A working party will shortly be formed to deal with the provision of station wear to coincide with the rollout of structural personal protective clothing. As part of this review, full consideration of the suitability of the garment design and fabric of station wear for operational response will be undertaken. This matter will be addressed as a priority.
In the first instance however, Regions are placing orders for these replacement T-shirts as soon as possible to ensure timely supply for firefighters based on the following guidelines:
· Four (4) T-shirts per career firefighter; and
· An adequate number of T-shirts for those issued to volunteer firefighters
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact John Haynes, Manager Operations Policy and Planning
