MORE than 900 CFA firefighters have been issued new boots to help them get to fires quicker.
The firefighters were fitted with new leather bunker boots as part of a CFA program that kicked off last week
It is the first time the leather bunker boots, which are used for structural firefighting, have been offered to CFA firefighters.
The bunker boot allows firefighters to bunker their trousers over their boots, which means they roll down their firefighting trousers over their boots so they can put on boots and trousers in one quick motion.
Protective equipment department manager Mark Tarbett said it might seem like a minor difference, but time was one of the key factors in fighting structure fires.
“Anything that helps our qualified structural firefighters get out to a fire quickly is a welcome addition to the brigade,” Mr Tarbett said.
“The bunker boots assist firefighters to jump straight into their gear and get out the door as quickly as possible.”
Thirty-one brigades have been fitted so far, starting with the busiest structural firefighting brigades. Fittings for the remaining eligible brigades will be rolling out across the state over the next 18 months.
Mr Tarbett said the boots weren’t necessarily suitable for everyone due to design limitations, so CFA was offering firefighters with new structural protective trousers and jackets the choice of bunker boots or a second pair of standard zip-up boots.
The zip-up boots will continue to be used in the bushfire environment, as they provide better ankle support.
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