Abstract: A firefighter jacket of the type having an outer shell and an inner, removable liner includes a closure assembly having multiple layers of material in excess of the number required to provide sufficient thermal and moisture protection is improved in that the closure assembly is displaced from the central portion of the jacket to one side sufficiently to clear the high perspiration area of the central chest, whereby the high perspiration area is covered only by the minimum acceptable layers of material so that heat loss and perspiration evaporation through this area is not impeded excessively.

Abstract: A firefighter pant support system for use with firefighter pants having an outer sheel of a fire and moisture resistant material and an inner liner of a heat resistant material wherein the inner liner is removable from the outer shell. The support system includes a vest member having a body preferably made of a heat-resistant open mesh, and a waistband having a plurality of button holes for receiving fasteners, such as buttons or fastener studes, such that the vest member supports the pant liner and outer shell when worn by a user. In an alternate embodiment, the vest member is stitched permanently to the liner to make a jump pant. The vest member distributes the weight of the pant liner and pant shell over a broader area than conventional suspenders, provides a layer of thermal protection for the upper body of the wearer and can carry reflective trim detectable when the wearer removes his firefighter coat.

Abstract: A combined turnout pant and boot provide an effectively continuous moisture barrier. Each pant leg includes a moisture barrier liner and may include a first cuff. To fasten the boot to the liner, a second cuff, which may be attached to the top of the boot, is pulled up to the bottom of the moisture barrier liner and first and second corrugated connections are sealed together. The corrugated connections may be at one end of the second cuff and at the bottom of the first cuff; at the other end of the second cuff, with the second cuff being an extension of the liner and the first cuff, and at the top of the boot, or at both ends of the second cuff and at the first cuff and at the top of the boot. Excess material on the second cuff permits the second cuff to fold down, tending to fall over the boot with the liner extending down over the boot with it, thereby providing a substantially complete moisture barrier betwene the pant and the boots.

Abstract: A firefighter's turnout apparel comprises a coat and a pair of pants, wherein the elbow joint and the knee joint sections are formed to include bellows at the bend of the joints for increased protection, flexion range, and comfort. The bellows interconnect material above and below the joint sections to reduce tightness at the outside of the joint areas and material bunching at the inside of the joint areas, permitting freer flexibility and reduced compression of thermal material. Added material in the bellows which extends around the outer joint area, produces a slight bend in the material at these points results in the tunrout apparel having a more natural and comfortable shape through the joint regions, improving the thermal protection due to the reduced compression. In addition to improved thermal protection, the bellows reduce movement of the cuffs of the apparel to provide better protection of wrist and ankle areas.

Abstract: A firefighter's turnout coat comprises a body portion cut to define armholes, shoulder sections, neck sections, a hem and a front opening of the coat wherein the shoulder sections are formed to include excess front to back material to form a shoulder having a shallow angle wherein shoulder pockets are formed at the upper ends of the armholes. Distances of the armholes to the hem of the body portion range preferably from 22-23 inches for a body portion having a length of approximately 35 inches. Full length sleeves include excess circumferential material within the mid-portions thereof to increase the fullness of the sleeves. Bellows for interconnecting the lower portions of the sleeves to the raised armholes are enlarged in their width dimensions such that firefighters wearing a turnout coat can raise their arms above their heads with substantially reduced ride-up of the hem and sleeves of the turnout coat to thereby reduce potential exposure of their torsos and wrists in a shorter, lighter weight coat.