Volunteer firefighters equipped for structure fires struggle with gear during increasing wildfires
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As wildfires surge across Newfoundland and Labrador, volunteer fire departments are sounding the alarm—not just about the fires, but about the gear they’re forced to wear while fighting them, the CBC and other Canadian media report.
Departments like Spaniard’s Bay and Deer Lake have been responding to an unprecedented number of wildfires this season, with 216 reported so far—more than double the province’s five-year average. But their standard equipment, designed for structure fires, is proving dangerously inadequate in the field.
“We kicked that fire’s ass,” said Spaniard’s Bay Fire Chief Curt Roberts after a successful suppression effort. “But it’s fine for structure fires. It’s not meant for wildfires.” His team wore traditional bunker suits weighing around 40 pounds, which trap heat and restrict movement—posing serious risks in forest terrain and summer temperatures.
Deer Lake Fire Chief Stephen Rowsell echoed the concern, describing the experience as “like wearing a snowsuit in the summer.” His crew struggled to reach a brush fire near a cemetery, slowed by heavy gear and limited access. “Heat stress is a major factor,” he said, emphasizing the need for hydration and mobility.
With limited resources—often relying on hand tools like shovels and chainsaws—departments are urging the provincial government to invest in proper wildland firefighting gear.
Premier John Hogan acknowledged the issue, stating, “They didn’t sign up to fight wildfires, but they’re doing it anyways. If more gear is needed, then yeah, we’ll look at it”.
Other sources covering this topic:
https://theshoreline.ca/2024/09/23/province-commits-over-3-million-for-firefighting-equipment/