W
ith an increasing number of fire and
rescue authorities (FRAs) recognising the
operational benefits of having specialised
protective clothing for different hazards, USAR PPE
is designed to protect front line firefighters in
search missions following, for example, structural
collapse of a building. Working in difficult and
dangerous situations requires a high level of
manoeuvrability with maximum physical pro-
tection. This is where Bristol's design experience
has allowed it to offer an ideal combination of
features which has led to the procurement of 660
sets of jackets and trousers incorporating an outer-
shell of Kermel� high visibility orange fabric. The
contract for the supply of the PPE and its managed
care was concluded in the late spring and the
garments delivered for use by LFB's 330 strong
USAR team in early June. Every firefighter will have
2 sets each with a reserve stock of spares.
The contract, in the form of a framework agree-
ment, also calls for the provision of a managed
care package under which Bristol will regularly
collect used garments for inspection, washing and
repair as well as decontamination, if required.
Using a computerised recording and tracking
system each item of PPE is identified to its individ-
ual wearer to ensure that items are always
returned to the correct location and individual
firefighter for whom the garments were carefully
sized prior to manufacture and issue. Using a bar
code and optical scanning system to track each
garment's service history builds a complete record
providing valuable inventory management infor-
mation for the FRA. Special scanners were issued
to LFB prior to the USAR kit being issued to allow
every garment to be recorded with its technical
details alongside those of its allocated wearer. This
will help speed up the computerised logging of all
the PPE when it is first returned for routine
servicing at Bristol CareTM.
Bristol's logistics flexibility affords the option of
centralised collection and delivery or uplifts from
individual fire stations. Initially all 660 sets were
delivered to central stores in Croydon but, with 11
locations around Greater London, alternative
scenarios will be tested before the long term best
available solution is chosen.
London Fire Brigade's Richard Binder, Group
Manager, Urban Search and Rescue Management
Team, said: "The introduction of specialist USAR
equipment and training has proven to be an
immensely valuable addition to the Brigade's capa-
bilities. Our USAR crews enter into difficult and
dangerous rescues which often last several hours,
and it is important that our crews have the right
PPE that can stand up to the rigorous and
demanding nature of urban search and rescue.
"Following comprehensive trials and testing by
the Brigade, the high visibility orange suits, along
with a range of other protective items, were
identified as providing the highest level of comfort
and protection for the specialised work carried out
by the crews."
Bristol's UK Sales Manager, Philip Tasker, added,
"This is a major milestone for us and represents an
important development in the UK's fire service's
move towards adopting a more specialist
approach to PPE. In an environment in which the
demands placed on the fire service are becoming
increasingly complex, the need to provide personal
protection for firefighters appropriate to the
hazards faced in different operational situations
demands a more tailored approach � one which is
being seen reflected in the growing adoption of
specialist technical rescue PPE by both the police
and ambulance services. We are pleased to have
been awarded the opportunity to supply London
Fire Brigade's USAR PPE requirements as well as to
look after the garments throughout their service
lives through the provision of a managed care
service". IFF
10 INTERNATIONAL FIRE FIGHTER
PROFILE
London Fire Brigade
specifies Bristol
Uniforms' Urban
Search & Rescue PPE
In a move designed to boost London Fire Brigade's (LFB) specialist response
capabilities, the Capital's fire and rescue service has procured 660 sets of urban
search and rescue (USAR) personal protective clothing (PPE) from Bristol
Uniforms, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of protective
clothing for the emergency services.
For more information about
Bristol Uniforms please
contact either:
Roger Startin
Bristol Uniforms Ltd
on 0117 956 3101 or email
roger.startin@
bristoluniforms.com or
Richard Storey
RSL Associates
on 01749 870652 or email
richard@rslassociates.co.uk

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