My department purchased the Globe EMS Rescue gear and issued it to all the full time personnel. As far as I know we are the only non-fire based EMS service in the area to have EMS "bunker gear." My side job is with the neigboring town that is attached to a Fire service and the medics that are not firefighters do not receive protective gear. We were issued the coat,pants, Thorogood fire boots, rescue helmets and extrication gloves. We were also issued ESS goggles with the helmets. That of course did not fit over my prescription glasses so today I replaced them with Wily X Prescription goggles. Over all most of our department is happy with the gear. We are required to wear it on all MVC's and any other hazardous scenes as well as major scenes with the potential to have high bodily fluid contact. IMO this gear is a valuable asset to our personnel. We can now get allot closer into pt care during exrtications. It also serves great as cold weather and rain gear. i actually stopped using my regular department jacket during the winter months and started wearing my "bunker" coat. A little about my self I am an EMT-B working for a service just south of Houston,TX. We run 3 24 hour MICU trucks and two additional trucks during the day with a supervisor in a command vehicle.. We have a semi high call volume with all range types of calls so I have used my gear multiple times and really like it. It is easy on and off and two sets(mine and my partners) fits perfectly in the truck not taking up to much additional space. So I hope this helper your opinion on the gear and who cares if someone looked at you with the "Dee Dee Dee' look it is all about keeping your rear safe and going home the same way you left without any additional injuries or diseases.
