Services combine to buy new rescue jackets for firefighters

South Yorkshire’s firefighters have been kitted out with a new piece of protective clothing, bought as part of a regional collaboration with neighbouring fire and rescue services.

The multi-function rescue jackets are worn by firefighters at non-fire rescue incidents like road traffic collisions, as well as small fires in the open. The high visibility, waterproof jackets are designed to be as lightweight and breathable as possible, helping fire crews to manoeuvre more easily and comfortably at incidents where traditional fire kit is not required.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has bought the jackets in a joint venture with the services in North Yorkshire and Humberside.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Carlin, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said, “This is a completely new piece of kit for South Yorkshire and signals our commitment to providing our firefighters with the very best clothing and equipment with which they carry out their life saving work.

“We are dedicated to working with our neighbouring services and this is another clear example of a collaboration project that not only enhances the safety of our firefighters, but ensures best value to the people we serve.”

Steve Topham, Director of Service Support Delivery, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said, “The new jackets have been really well received by crews who now have a wider choice of clothing appropriate for non-fire incidents. The regional collaboration has been a real success and ensures that we deliver on our objective of getting the best value for money where possible when purchasing vehicles, equipment and clothing.”

Dave Winspear, Director of Capabilities, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said, “We work really hard to make sure that our firefighters are provided with the most appropriate kit for the job in hand and earlier this month we went live with our new multi-function rescue jacket. It meets all the requirements of a high-vis jacket and you’ll see our firefighters wearing then when attending non-structural incidents like road traffic collisions.”

UK fire and rescue services have been encouraged to work together to drive down the amount spent on essential goods such as frontline equipment and workwear. The Policing & Crime Act 2017 placed a new statutory duty on emergency services to look at opportunities to work collaboratively.