Firefighter kneeling and organizing firefighting gear including boots, gloves, a jacket, a helmet, a bag, and a fan with blue arrows indicating air circulation.
Firefighter kneeling and organizing firefighting gear including boots, gloves, a jacket, a helmet, a bag, and a fan with blue arrows indicating air circulation.

AFTER EVERY TRAINING DAY

Your gear is going to get wet, sweaty, dirty, and probably stink. That’s the fire academy….

  • EMPTY THE ENTIRE GEAR BAG after every training day.

  • Take out your coat, pants, hood, gloves, boots, helmet — everything.

  • TURN YOUR COAT & PANTS INSIDE OUT so the inner layers can dry.

  • OPEN EVERYTHING UP as much as possible so moisture can escape.

  • LEAVE THE GEAR BAG OPEN AND EMPTY so it can air out too.

  • USE A FAN — PREFERRED. Good airflow helps your gear dry faster and more completely.

  • Keep everything in a clean, shaded, well-ventilated area.

  • DO NOT leave wet gear packed in the bag, in a closed vehicle, in direct sunlight, or near high heat.

  • DO NOT repack your gear until it is dry.

Air Flow

✳︎

Air Flow ✳︎

Glove Drying Tip

Gloves hold a lot of moisture after training. The goal is to keep the cuff open and allow air to move through the inside of the glove.

Use either:

  • A 4–6" section of 3" PVC pipe, or

  • A clean, empty water/Gatorade bottle

If using a bottle, remove the cap and poke several holes in the bottom. Insert the bottle neck-first into the glove so the bottom with the airflow holes remains exposed outside the cuff.

Place the gloves near a fan in a clean, shaded, well-ventilated area.