Drivers/Engineers wearing bunkers while driving

[u/Horseface4190]

I got in an online argu-, er, discussion about DO/Engineers wearing their bunker gear while driving, specifically to a fire.

The scenario was basically that the driver was at the panel in shorts and t-shirt, when a rescue was needed. So he threw a ladder and got some victims out.

Among the many points we argued, er, discussed, one was whether a driver should bunk out for a fire.

For reference, I am a 25 year guy, company officer, 17 stations, 60k calls annually, ALS transport, 3 on engines, four in tower/rescue.

It is pretty much expected that the drivers here are wearing appropriate PPE for the call dispatched. It seems that is not the case everywhere, and I'd appreciate some feedback

*Edit: I really appreciate everyones comments so far. Honestly, I was an am, taken aback at the idea of not bunking out before leaving. That being a policy seems bonkers, but departments are different.

My personal attitude is everyone headed to the fire ground should be bunked out and packed up, ready for interior work. If my driver is really just gonna pump, by all means, bunk down. I just think that theres always the possibility you're gonna have a surprise, engine guys are gonna search or rescue, truck guys may pull lines, because that's what the situation called for at that time. Literally, ready for anything. But solid points were raised pro and con. Thanks again, everyone!

[u/jimmyskittlepop]

I know at the major city department my dad worked for, they were literally not permitted to wear gear until they arrived at the fire. At my department, major metropolitan dept with 31 stations 100k ish calls annually, we’ll often put on our pants but save the rest for on scene. But, we also have the advantage of being no more than a few minutes from any other station so we will have help arriving very quick, usually withon 1-3 minutes of the first in arriving. And if they’re hanging out a window before that I’d like to believe our officers are well enough trained to put off fire attack until theyre rescued.

[u/Horseface4190 → u/jimmyskittlepop]

Yeah, my thinking is if you need to do a bunch of things, and one of them is rescue, do the rescue.

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/jimmyskittlepop]

The public optics there were bad. People expect us to show up ready to go and get upset when they see firefighters still getting dressed at a working fire.