FireStorm Alaska Presents:

"FireLine Gaiters"

 Inventor: Hudson Plass
Design: Hudson Plass & Sandra Plass
Engineer and Seamstress: Sandra Plass
Date of Invention: June 1992
(Copyright 1992 Carson Fire Gear)
(Copyright 2002 FireStorm Alaska)
(Patent Pending)

FireStorm Alaska would like to recognize the fact that wildland firefighters play a significant role in shaping the future of our forests and wildlands. Smokejumpers, Helishots, Helirepelers, Helitack, Hotshots, Smokechasers, Engine crews, Type1 and Type 2 Hand crews all spend a considerable amount of time and effort working to help ensure that our public lands will sustain native plants, wildlife and more fire for decades to come. Yes, more fire too. Fire is good in more ways than documented.

During the spring of 1992 while attending an annual helicopter crew member training program in White Sulfer Springs Montana, I (Hudson Plass) struck upon an idea that just might be useful. After viewing several video clips and pictures of helicopter pilots and crew members who had been involved in the "flash fire" associated with crash events, I decided to figure out a way to better protect the body from fire. Particularly the lower leg.

In some of these images, people were being well protected from the fire by the nomex material that made up their flight suits and uniforms. With the exception of the lower leg area. The area just above the leather boots and just below the bottom cuff of the nomex fabric was burned in most cases to the third degree because it was not covered. Some of these people developed serious infection from the burns and a few had to have their lower legs removed.

Often times the pant leg rides too high and/or the boot tops are not high enough. The leg must be protected by either the nomex material from the pant cuff or leather from the boot. The problem is worsened when an individual sits down because the pant leg tends to ride up even higher. A pant cuff may be long enough to cover the lower leg when standing but may not be long enough while sitting.
FireLine Gaiters, made of Nomex/Aramid material, are designed to create a continuous layer of protective fabric to cover the interface of the lower pant leg and upper boot. They are designed to be used by all types of wildland firefighters including hand crews, smokejumpers, engine operators, helicopter crews and even overhead teams. The gaiters do more than protect the lower leg from flash fires associated with an aircraft crash. They protect the lower leg from all types of heat related enjuries associated with flame or hot particals coming into contact with the skin.
Often times wildland firefighters are required to work a "hot line". This means they are working (digging fire line) right up next to hot flames and coals. Nomex/Aramid material is designed to resist burning. The human skin is not. By keeping the lower leg covered at all times during fire work you can reduce the risk of sparks, hot dirt and ash and hot coals from coming into contact with the lower leg. FireLine Gaiters are designed to do just that. It is impossable for flying sparks, embers, hot ash and dirt and even hot coals to touch the skin of the lower leg when the gaiters are worn.
The FireLine Gaiter snuggly seals the lower pant cuff and upper boot area with a protective layer of Nomex material.
How many times a year does a firefighters step into a hot stump hole causeing serious burn to this area of the leg? When the foot is inserted into the hole, the pant leg rides up because there is nothing holding it down. When the pant leg rides up, bare leg is exposed to hot coals and ash. The Fireline Gaiters are designed to gather and hold the pantleg together and down so it is imposible for the pantleg to ride up under any circumstance. Also, because it is made of fire resistant Nomex/Aramid material it will help to protect the leg from hot coals and ash long enough for the firefighter to remove his/her leg from the hole.
How many times do firefighters get their pant leg cuffs snagged on a stick or rock causing them to trip, stumble and fall? Again, the gaiter gathers the pantleg together and allows no cuff to remain exposed. Nothing can get snagged. No falling down. No injury. Less paper work for the government and less money spent on injuries.
The FireLine Gaiter will not allow exposure
of the lower leg to heat and flame. It will also help seal out dirt and ash. Additionally, the gaiters can be sprayed to repell insects and spiders such as ticks and the brown recluse.
How many firefighters out there work on a when needed bases? When needed, they get called up to work. Upon arriving at the dispatch office they are issued fire pants and shirts. How many times are these pants too short or too long? Too short and you risk burn to the lower leg. Too long and the pants become a risk factor by snagging on rocks and sticks. With the FireLine Gaiters, it no longer matters if the pants are too short or too long. The gaiter takes care of both problems. All wildland firefighters are required to wear pants long enough so the bottom of the pant cuff covers at least two (2) inches of the top of the leather boot.

Over the years I have heard many complaints from wildland firefighters about dirt and ash entering from the pant leg and traveling up to deposite itself onto the legs. A great many firefighters dislike having dirt, soot and ash covering there legs simply because the bottom of their pants are not sealed off to this filth. The FireLine Gaiter will solve this hassle. Reduced dirt and ash on the surface of the skin can reduce skin irritations and minor infections caused by bacterial living in the soil. Wildland firefighters don't often get a chance to shower every day so, the more dirt they can keep off their bodies, the less chance of bacteria from the soil causing problems.
The fire resistant Nomex/Aramid material of the FireLine Gaiter also helps to protect the laces and the leather of the upper boot from heat and flame.

Features:

The FireLine Gaiter is installed and worn much the same way as most standard cold or wet weather gaiters.

 Elastic heel strap rides under the arch of the boot and in front of the heel. This holds the gaiter down and keeps it from riding up. This strap has a chord lock installed for adjustability.

A two inch outside flap covers a heavy duty metal zipper on the side of the gaiter. Velcro is used to secure the external flap over the zipper.
A two inch inside flap keeps the metal zipper away from the skin or pant leg material. Along the full length of the gaiter the zipper is sandwhiched between two layers of nomex inside and out.
A heavy duty spring chord with chord lock holds the gaiter in place above the calf. This allows flexability in the calf muscle area.
A heavy duty toe clip reinforced with a leather grommet holds the front of the gaiter tight against the top of the boot.
Advantages of the FireLine Gaiter
The FireLine Gaiter forms a continuous layer of protective fabric (heat resistant Nomex/Aramid) that covers the interface of the lower pant leg and upper boot. Here are some advantages of wearing the gaiters during any given wildfire assignment.
•Protects the lower leg when the pant leg rides high while in the siting position. (aircraft flash fires)
•Reduces the risk of flying sparks, embers, coals and even hot dirt and ash from contacting the skin of the lower leg.
•Eliminates bare leg exposure to hot stump holes by keeping the pant leg held together and down.
•Gathers the pant leg together and keeps the pant cuff from snagging on rocks, sticks and branches. Less falling down.
•Solves the problem of having pants issued that are too short or too long.
•Keeps dirt and ash from traveling up the pant leg and causing skin irritations and minor bacterial infections.
•Covers the boot laces and leather from excessive exposure to heat, flame, hot ash and coals.
•Repells ticks and other insects and spiders when sprayed with repellant.
•Adds an additional layer of protective fabric to the lower leg area.

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