Q: Why do firemen wear heavy-duty suspenders?
A: To hold their pants up. Each fire fighter wears and carries 59 to 130 pounds of gear.
See this New York Times story on the burden of saving lives:
Last week, the [New York City fire department] announced plans to outfit fire-fighters with a new state-of-the-art escape system, including steel hooks, Kevlar ropes and a modified rock-climbing device to slow firefighters’ descent.
The kit weighs about six pounds, including a harness that wraps around the hips and legs, and is worn at all times, since there is no time to put it on in an emergency.
Six more pounds may seem a minor inconvenience for a lifesaving system designed to get firefighters out of a building in under 10 seconds. But the weight will be added to an already cumbersome array of protective clothing and gear that has grown heavier in recent years and is worn in extreme heat. Officials say they will affix the rope device to the harness in a pouch, with the weight balanced, but still may have to issue stronger suspenders for the pants.
Click the link labeled “Specialized firefighting equipment” for photos and more details.
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