New equipment will help keep firefighters safe and healthy.
The Plant City Fire Department will receive 39 sets of new bunker gear aimed at improving firefighter safety and response times. Twenty-one sets will replace existing equipment, while 18 will be issued to new recruits.
Fire Chief David Dittman said the new gear will be form-fitted to each firefighter, allowing for greater mobility and functionality.
“This organization is grateful for the support by Plant City and taking a huge vested interest in ensuring the health and wellness of the firefighters to perform at the highest level, and that’s what citizens deserve,” Dittman said.
The new gear will be black with three-inch reflective strips on the outside, designed to increase visibility at night, allowing drivers to see the firefighters from a greater distance.
“This is a tremendous benefit,” Dittman said.
Dittman said the equipment will be in compliance with House Bill 929, which went into effect July 1, 2025.
The bill states, “Firefighter Health and Safety; Requires Division of State Fire Marshal within DFS to adopt certain rules; requires division to assist in decreasing frequency of fatalities; requires division to adopt rules relating to education on chemical hazards or toxic substances & mental health best practices.”
After the bill took effect, studies found there were cancer-causing agents in the older bunker gear, prompting changes to the materials used in the equipment.
“The liner that touches the body, there are three layers to bunker gear, the lining on the inside had a chemical known to be linked to cancer-causing agents,” Dittman said. “They had to switch all the foam out that we used to use. We changed the liner on the inside, and now it’s chemical free.”
Dittman said the new gear will include magnetic closures to speed up response times. They enhanced pocket dexterity for use while wearing the bunker gloves, and there will be gel-coated knee padding to make crawling easier during emergencies.
Dittman said this is the highest level of gear they can get.
“We started replacing the gear last year, and we will do another set when the service date in the gear is up. The coats have to be replaced every 10 years,” he said.
He said the department is lucky they got to spread out the purchases because of the costs. He said they began replacing equipment last year.
“By next year everyone should be in compliance with the service year with the new specifications,” Dittman said.
The new gear totaled $102,577.50 and the replacing gear cost $119,673.75.
“This is not a cheap purchase, but it’s necessary because this is what they have to wear to protect themselves in structure fires or gas leaks, tanker toll overs, and more,” Dittman said.
Dittman said the fire department is grateful for the city’s support in allowing firefighters to better serve the Plant City community.
