2 pieces of turnout gear lost during fire

PHIL CAMPBELL — Two turnout jackets were damaged during a Thanksgiving Day structure fire while firefighters were conducting an interior attack.

Fire Chief Andy Marbutt told town council members on Dec. 16 the jackets need to be replaced and asked council members to consider the department’s need for additional storage space.

Turnout gear refers to the protective clothing firefighters wear when entering burning structures. The gear typically includes a coat and pants designed to protect firefighters from heat, flames, and other hazards.

Marbutt said the jackets were less than two years old.

The fire chief was one of the firefighters operating inside the structure and his jacket was damaged.

“I was on the nozzle. I was doing the main interior attack, and mine got damaged, along with the guy that was in with me.”

Marbutt said his jacket is still usable.

“The other jacket is not usable,” he said. “It was burned all the way through to the inner core.”

Marbutt said the damage came close to causing an injury.

“One more layer and it would burn his skin,” he said about the second firefighter involved..

Marbutt said the department replaced the unusable jacket with another new coat already in inventory.

He said the department is working with the manufacturer to determine whether the damaged jackets will be repaired or replaced. If the company does not repair the gear, it would need to be replaced.

Mayor Greg Williams asked about the cost of turnout gear.

Marbutt said turnout coats typically cost around $2,000 each.

“The pants cost around $1,500 to $1,700,” Marbutt said. “But the coats themselves, I want to say they’re around $2,000 to $2,200.”

Marbutt also told the council the fire department is “in desperate need of some storage space.” He said equipment is currently stored wherever space can be found.

“We’ve got a lot of things, and we’ve got them just cram packed here and there, trying to find a place to store it and keep it off of the floor,” Marbutt said.

Marbutt said he and Mayor Williams discussed placing a shipping container behind the fire station for storage.

Williams asked whether a 20-foot or 30-foot container would fit behind the station.

Marbutt said a smaller container could work, but additional space would be useful.

Town Clerk Virginia Burks said the cost of a container would likely range from $2,000 to $3,000 based on recent pricing.

Marbutt said the most recent price he had seen was about $2,600.

“You definitely need something,” Williams said. “Get us a price between now and the next meeting and put it on the agenda.”