Important- A better tool for LEOs at wild fires...

[Rapid Cool]

I shared this info years ago and wanted to share again. Please dont attack me for just posting some helpful information.

Over the recent fires in Southern California, I observed some LEOs using basic construction and household type masks against the smoke and ash. Those are not the best choice by attaching a flammable cotton swap to your mouth and respiratory track. And those rubber bands will melt on to your as well.





What I would like to recommend is a product you could just buy once in your career and it should last you for years into your career and I do NOT work for them or selling them. I would recommend a HOTSHIELD face mask that offers a very comfortable mouth respirator and face wrap. I have worn one for years as a FF and its been a great tool and protective gear. Again, this is great if your going to be on or near the fire line for hours or days as it protects your face, neck and the back of your head. Its very comfortable, light weight and inexpensive. And will keep the embers and ash from going down your shirt collar area.

I also recoomend a pair of high end quality goggles as well. Your eyes and eyesight are so precious.

There is also a Bandana type shied as well- https://www.chiefsupply.com/hot-shie...CABEgKVovD_BwE

Their link- www.hotshield.com

This is one of the best pictures I can find...



Adding this picture. Dont get caught off guard with nothing to protect your faces, eyes, throat and neck.

[Rogue187]

Your going to be fighting an uphill battle here. Is there a shelf life to these masks? How much are per unit? How much space does it take up? How fast can the company deliver? Ease of use? Any restrictions for those officers with breathing restrictions?


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[Rapid Cool]

Your going to be fighting an uphill battle here. Is there a shelf life to these masks? How much are per unit? How much space does it take up? How fast can the company deliver? Ease of use? Any restrictions for those officers with breathing restrictions?

I know this, its just a recommendation.

To answer your questions-

Self life- The mask itself will last for the next 20 years. I say this because I know guys that have been using the same unit for 20+ years.

Cost per unit- $60-80 dollars. Not a lot, but it is so worth the money on a fire.

Space they take up- They come in a small yellow pouch, a small package. Pic below-


I cant say how fast the distributors will deliver, your mileage may vary.

Ease of use- Super easy, just wrap around your face and velcro in the back.

breathing restrictions- For me, none. But they are the same as those construction masks you guys are using in the field already.

And just so were clear, there are models without head straps. The basic HS2 is the best in my book.

[Rogue187]

Now your main challenge is to get the cops to spend money on this piece of equipment. Will departments be willing to spend to equip the officers? Or will this company be able to deliver when there is an emergency? Not all Officer will be in wildfires like those that happened. Our job is to get people out of there. Not stay and fight.


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[Rapid Cool]

Now your main challenge is to get the cops to spend money on this piece of equipment. Will departments be willing to spend to equip the officers? Or will this company be able to deliver when there is an emergency? Not all Officer will be in wildfires like those that happened. Our job is to get people out of there. Not stay and fight.

Yes, I know all of this. And I never said you stay and fight. Its just a better tool than the standard household or construction mask the cops are using now. You guys are smart and have the links, I'm sure you'll figure it out.

[hey_scooter]

Cool recommendation, thanks!

[Rapid Cool]

Cool recommendation, thanks!

You welcome brother. Hope this helps, PM me with any questions.

[M1NM]

Your going to be fighting an uphill battle here. Is there a shelf life to these masks? How much are per unit? How much space does it take up? How fast can the company deliver? Ease of use? Any restrictions for those officers with breathing restrictions?

You forgot they won't spend their own money. These would be smart for departments in wildfire areas to put in the cars. Once needed and used it would become part of the LEOs personal equipment.

[SMarquez]

Now your main challenge is to get the cops to spend money on this piece of equipment. Will departments be willing to spend to equip the officers? Or will this company be able to deliver when there is an emergency? Not all Officer will be in wildfires like those that happened. Our job is to get people out of there. Not stay and fight.


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I don't know. I've seen cops sitting at intersection eating crap for days. Just being in the environment for too long is hard on you. There is also the issue of whether a department will accept it or approve for duty use. I've seen this on the fire side. Not providing protection but not allowing guys to supply their own stuff if it is not OSHA of NFPA approved.

[Rapid Cool]

You forgot they won't spend their own money. These would be smart for departments in wildfire areas to put in the cars. Once needed and used it would become part of the LEOs personal equipment.

Its the smart officers that will figure out that their face, throat and lungs are worth the one time career long tax write off investment of $60. It up to them, I am not here to sell them, just offer a better tool in the field. Once you wear one for hours at brush fire, you'll wonder why you didnt get one before.

[Fishwishin]

This would have been good in the Santa Rosa fires. There are several models in their product line. Which model is recommended?

[UberPatriot]

Now your main challenge is to get the cops to spend money on this piece of equipment. Will departments be willing to spend to equip the officers? Or will this company be able to deliver when there is an emergency? Not all Officer will be in wildfires like those that happened. Our job is to get people out of there. Not stay and fight.


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What about getting FEMA to buy these?

[CG11]

Thanks for the heads up; this looks like something worthwhile to carry.

[Rapid Cool]

I don't know. I've seen cops sitting at intersection eating crap for days. Just being in the environment for too long is hard on you. There is also the issue of whether a department will accept it or approve for duty use. I've seen this on the fire side. Not providing protection but not allowing guys to supply their own stuff if it is not OSHA of NFPA approved.

My take- If the department is going to let you provide your own basic house and construction face filter, they will let you put something more safe on your face.


And yes, being in that environment for a medium to long period of time WILL have an effect on you. Breathing in that crap stays in your lungs. Consider this, you cant wash that smell out of your hair, so its also in your lungs.

Just so you know NFPA is a private association, hence the "A" in their name. They dont need to approve anything or have any power over the fire service or police departments. OSHA also has no real say or power over what you want to wear at a fire scene. If you put some protective device over your face, they dont care, there are no laws being broken here. As you can tell, there were officers all over wearing those household and construction masks and no agency said a thing. Its your face, respiratory track and lungs, if you want to protect them, thats your business, no one is going to stop you.

Or just keep attaching a flammable cotton swab to your face, its up to you, I got my Hotshield for a reason. Whether you get them or not, ok by me. I have mine, I am healthy and closer to retirement. I just wanted to share something that is far superior than that the cops are using now.

As for the legality of wearing them, the owner of Hotshield recently gave away units to the firefighters on the Thomas Fire. The guys loved them and some never even heard of them before. If the firefighters are wearing them, it might be a smart key to maybe consider it for the cops as well. Now they love them...

[Rapid Cool]

This would have been good in the Santa Rosa fires. There are several models in their product line. Which model is recommended?

I like and recommend the HS2. Its very comfortable and hse NO head straps as some of the other models.

There is also a "Bandana" model that would be ideal for officers. I just never used it before, so I cant really comment much about it. (sorry)