New ‘dry suits’ for Perthshire’s fire crew

Jan 21 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FIREFIGHTERS summoned to severe flooding at Bridge of Earn emerged from the deluge bone-dry thanks to an innovative piece of clothing.

Officers in Perthshire sported their new water-tight ‘dry-suits’, which gave them increased warmth and safety while wading through floodwaters last weekend.

The ‘Wet Weather Personal Protection Equipment’ is a two-piece suit comprising leggings with stitched-in socks, and a top sealed around the neck and wrists of its user to ensure it remains water-tight.

Rab Middlemiss, a group manager with Tayside Fire and Rescue – the only service in Scotland to use the new gear – explained its benefits.

“We have taken steps to ensure all of our operational firefighters at every level are able to deal with all sorts of flooding situations,” he said yesterday.

“It uses the same material as dry suits so it helps us wade through flooded areas and allows us to work safely.

“Our structural firefighting suits absorb water, so they aren’t only impractical for flood-work but there are also health implications, especially if you are wading through sewage.”

The 670 hard-wearing suits, which cost £70 each, were purchased from a Falkirk-based company and are said to have attracted the attention of other rescue forces throughout Scotland.

Mr Middlemiss went on to highlight the importance of training in ensuring the service are best equipped to deal with the ever-increasing flood-risk.

Tayside Fire and Rescue sent out 25 engines last weekend – with assistance from Fife crews and part-time firefighters – to deal with over 100 incidents.