As the number of structure fire departments that are called to respond to interface fires increases, the trend to adopt wildland gear as stationwear also increases. This is particularly true for dual-compliance pants, which look more casual than traditional station blues.

Western Shelter Systems of Eugene, Ore., produces clothing that meets NFPA 1971, Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting, as well as NFPA 1977, Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, making this dual-compliance stationwear more function than fad.

“What we've seen is a trend. The design, the construction and the materials that we employ in wildland firefighting have a lot of benefits for those in the station house,” says company president Paul Bennett. “What we've done is produce a crossover product…. It's been a particularly popular introduction out here in the West because very often the same firefighters that are responding to structural fires are responding to wildland fires, grass fires, brush fires, all that you see out here in the West.”

This change in stationwear is not only influenced by the increasing need for all-hazards response, but by the incoming generation of firefighters who have grown up with the cargo- or drawstring-style of casual wear. Traditional stationwear tends to be tailored and restrictive, sharp-creased slacks and either a work shirt or T-shirt. The flexibility of the new style and the durable materials will appeal to the younger firefighters.

Crossover dressing

Tailored stationwear isn't made to physically accommodate the movement or the utilitarianism of a wildland firefighting garment, which are designed to be very loose, very comfortable and non-restrictive.

This more casual look may not appeal to chiefs who prefer their personnel in the professional look of a uniform, with epaulets on the shirts and a crisp pleat down the pant leg. However, as departments become more realistic and less traditional, the functionality of the designs will take emphasis away from the crisp, formal presentation that many of them insist on. The durability and the cost-savings will encourage consideration.

“The purpose of the looseness of the garment is to provide an insulating barrier of air,” says Bennett. “Obviously if you have a tailored pant, much like a uniform station pant, it doesn't provide the thermal protection against high heat that you'd find if you were dealing with a brush fire or wildland fire. It also does not provide the level of dexterity that is required in work in traditional stationwear pants. It's not designed to bend and stretch and crawl over a log. Nor does it carry cargo pockets that allow you to carry items that firefighters carry around on a daily basis.”

These pockets, for example, allow an EMT to carry scissors, a knife and multiple sets of gloves easily. The looser-fitting design also helps accommodate difference sizes and body shapes, both male and female.

Designers took all the advantages of traditional wildland pants — freedom of movement and durable construction elements — and patterned them after the military's battle-dress uniform. These garments include a loose pant with utilitarian pockets and reinforcement. Essentially, products for the wildland industry and based on wildland concepts have high level of mobility and feature pockets and closures that are somewhat military-oriented and durable.

Successful adaptation

Traditional stationwear is not appropriate for a structure fire response without turnout gear; neither are dual-compliant pants. However, dual-compliant pants can respond to a wildland event.

“So the concept is how do we take the design elements from the wildland industry and let them cross over into the all-incident application that you would see in stationwear?” asks Bennett.

Dual-compliance clothing is made of materials such as Nomex and Kevlar, materials traditionally used in wildland clothing, according to Bennett.

“No one has certified these materials for stationwear. No one has been able to certify the combination of both standards — 1971 and 1977 — in one garment. We're taking the advantages of the fabrics that we use in wildland that are exceptionally tough, tear-resistant, highly abrasive-resistant and we're bringing them out of specifically wildland applications and crossing those over to long-lasting, utilitarian garments that can be used on a daily basis within the station house.”

Bennett says his company was on the cutting edge in the early '90s bringing the BDU styles to the fireline. “Traditionally, wildland fire was a jean cut, and the Forest Service and the feds became quite alarmed when we introduced the BDU protective apparel, the jean-cut and Nomex. Federal garments became obsolete and they have since retired the jean style that was popular for years for BDU.

“As emergency services move to the all-hazards response, requiring more equipment and flexibility, the battlefield-dress style will appeal more and more to firefighters.”