Derbyshire firefighters try out new gold uniform with advanced safety features

Firefighters in Derbyshire are getting a fresh look with new gold-coloured personal protective suits.
The new gold uniform.The new gold uniform.
The new gold uniform.

With safety a priority, firefighters will change the grey and red kit they have been wearing for the past ten years and begin wearing gold-coloured tunics and leggings which provide many enhanced safety features.

A joint trial, carried out with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and in line with the National Procurement Framework which delivers greater efficiency savings, saw firefighters testing a range of available kit before the decision was taken to procure the new gold-coloured kit.

Area manager Rob Taylor said: “The new kit is much more than just a change in colour and appearance, it’s about the safety and wellbeing of our crews.

The new kit is more technologically advanced for safety.The new kit is more technologically advanced for safety.
The new kit is more technologically advanced for safety.

“A firefighter’s personal protective equipment is vital in providing protection at the wide range of incidents that they attend. The lightweight fabric provides enhanced protection from radiated heat, as well as increased mobility. A change from the dark grey colour that our communities are used to seeing our crews wearing, means that any contaminants that come into contact with their kit can be quickly identified and cleaned.

“The new PPE is also available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate both our male and female firefighters, something that is essential in ensuring that the built in safety features provide the right level of protection in the right area of a firefighters body and of course, it also means that the new kit is comfortable to wear.”