just released, and any regular clothes or
uniforms may then be easily cut as with
any other patient. It should be noted that
aside from trauma shears or seat belt
cutters, commercially available tools are
being developed specifically for cutting
through turnout gear.
Unlike a coat, it may be more difficult
to find a rapid pathway for cutting turnout
pants (Figure 5). There are generally knee
pads in front and pockets on the side.
Additionally, attempting to cut turnout
boots may be exceedingly slow and dif-
ficult. Because of this, and the fact that
unlike the arms, pants may be pulled
straight off, the recommendation is that
turnout boots may be pulled off, and pants
simply may be unfastened, and then pulled
off. The firefighting protective ensemble
is now completely removed.
Summary
The rescue of an injured colleague—and
probably a good friend—is an emotionally
charged event. A common initial response
could be to remove everything as quickly as
possible. Keep in mind that we have accept-
ed practices for the removal of motorcycle
equipment and football gear. There are also
procedures for removing a patient from a
vehicle or swimming pool. These all exist
to protect a patient from further injury. We
now have established practices for removing
a firefighter from a window, or down a lad-
der. Why then do the procedures stop? Once
a firefighter is rescued from a hot zone, he
deserves the same level of consideration
a football player, motorcycle rider or any
other patient receives. We should not be
in such a hurry that we don't care how we
remove a protective ensemble. The injured
firefighter deserves a system, or a proce-
dure, that may be practiced by others and
reduce the chance of further injury during
a rescue.
R E F E R E N C E S
1. National Fire Protection Association. Firefghter Injuries
in the United States, www.nfpa.org/research/reports-and-
statistics/the-fre-service/fatalities-and-injuries/frefghter-
injuries-in-the-united-states.
2. http://nfa.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v11i7.pdf.
3. Alexander JG, Stephens C T. How to Assess and Treat
Injured Firefghters. EMS World, www.emsworld.com/
article/10934759/frefghter-injuries.
4. Perlmutt D. Injured Matthews frefghter may have suf fered
a 'medical issue' Charlotte Observer, May 16, 2015, www.
charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article21170046.html.
A B O U T T H E A U T H O R
John G. Alexander, MS, NRP, is a retired
fire captain and has been involved in the
career and volunteer fire service for 33 years,
including 26 years as a paramedic. He is
currently a full-time faculty member at the
Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute, University
of Maryland.
Commercially available tool s are
being developed specifically for
cutting through turnout gear.
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