Recently we asked members to pause any involvement in either of these trials until we were able to determine the safety of the proposed PPE and Uniform.

Contrary to what is displayed on The Portal, or any emails that you have received, NZPFU members have not been involved in any PPE or Uniform trials.

UNIFIED UNIFORM TRIALS

We would like to thank the NZPFU members who undertook the Unified Uniform comfort testing to ensure that the proposed Uniform is safe to be worn as a base layer under our current Level 2 Structural Firefighting PPE, and the Live Fire Trainers at NTC in Rotorua for facilitating and managing the testing day.  This testing allowed us confirm that Career Firefighters were not being subjected to any greater risk by wearing the proposed uniform underneath our Level 2 Structural Firefighting PPE. We have agreed that Career Firefighters may participate in wearer trials for the Unified Uniform. 

We will be ensuring that Fire and Emergency extend the trial period through the summer period to test comfort in hotter weather.

LEVEL 2 STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING PPE TRIALS

Fire and Emergency is looking to trial potentially improved Level 2 Structural Firefighting PPE at NTC in Rotorua next week.  A number of Career Firefighters are involved in the initial comfort testing of the PPE. Further scientific testing will be undertaken in the new year to determine the ability of the proposed PPE to mitigate metabolic heat rise, and protect the wearer from external heat build up.  

We have advised Fire and Emergency that any new Level 2 Structural Firefighting PPE must provide better protection from the ingress of carcinogenic particles or vapours.

LIVE FIRE TRAINER MERINO UNDERGARMENT TRIAL

NZPFU Live Fire trainers have agreed to undertake small sample testing of the ability for merino undergarments to provide them greater protection when conducting multiple Live Fire wearings.  As those Live Fire trainers are facing carcinogenic exposures greater than what would be expected at single incidents we are hopeful of an ability to provide an increased level of protection for them.

If anyone, including trialists, has any questions about any trial please contact your Local Committee Uniform/PPE representative, or alternatively National Vice President Joe Stanley.

In unity,
Joseph Stanley
National Vice President