The 8008 was: Blinky lights WAS: The SR71 Blackbird was designed ENTIRELYwith slide rules 699

snipt

It is a treated fabric - duck cloth, I think. With a special lining that is heat-resistant, which helps protect the firefighters from getting burnt, scalded, etc. The outer layer is also fairly water resistant, but the inner layer will soak up water if exposed, or washed. Gear needs to be washed to remove contaminants, but not too often or it wears out quickly. After each fire or exposure to smoke, chemicals, etc., or at least once each 6 months, it needs washed. We have a special washer-extractor-dryer system for the gear.

Station clothes are also washed in-station - but in regular washers and dryers - for the same reasons, mostly - to remove hazardous materials, contaminants and etc. Being both EMS and Fire, there is constant exposure to meds, blood, other bodily fluids as well as smokes, gases, liquids and solids. Fire gear and station-duty clothes take quite a beating.

Soaking occurs during washing - and it isn't really soaked all that much. But you can't toss the gear into a regular dryer - there are special rack dryers that can be used, or it can be hung in a dry and warm room. Actually, ours isn't hung - it is laid out on racks. I think. We might have popped for a gear drying system, but I don't recall typing up the PO. Doesn't mean I didn't, tho. Just means my brain cells aren't retaining information that well any more.

-- TeaLady (mari)

"I keep telling you, chew with your mouth closed!" Kell the coach offers advice on keeping that elusive prey caught.