Bloomington Fire Department: Gear Drying Rack

The Challenge

Fire departments measure themselves by their ability to respond at a moment’s notice. Over the past three years, the Bloomington Fire Department has managed to shave three valuable minutes off its response time. There is, however, always room to do more. This call to action has been heard by the firefighters of Bloomington. By creating practical and affordable solutions to the problems they face, they continue to strive toward a safer future. One tangible step the firefighters have taken is addressing an issue that affects all of them - the time-consuming and frustrating process of drying their firefighting gear.

The Idea

The need for an alternative means for drying equipment was apparent. At the best, a firefighter could hang his/her gear on a ladder expecting it to dry between shifts. Generally, however, the drying process took even longer. Frustrated with the state of things, FF Bobby McWhorter, FF Cory Blackwell and Captain Brent Thompson took matters into their own hands. Using some ingenuity, a donated fan and a few dozen feet of PVC piping, they created a new drying rack that could dry gear in a fraction of the previously expected time. 

The Cost

Rather than invest in a pre-built drying rack that would have cost between $3000 and $8000, the firefighters took a more personal and resourceful approach. When all was said and done, the rack cost around $400 to produce, providing a functional alternative at less than 15% of the cost of the least expensive prefabricated option.

The Benefits

Drying times for firefighting gear have been cut drastically due to the implementation of the new rack. The average amount of time for drying has been cut in half, representing a difference of several hours each time gear is dried. Through small modifications (such as fastening the inner liner of the gear to the rack using clothespins and the addition of a larger fan) the firefighters are hopeful that this project will continue producing the results they need as members of a Fire Department that is always at the ready. By freeing up precious dollars to be invested elsewhere in the Department, the safety of Bloomington’s residents and firefighters can continue to be improved.

Metadata

City Department(s): Bloomington Fire Department

City Point of Contact: FF Bobby McWhorter, FF Cory Blackwell, Capt. Brent Thompson

Partner(s): N/A

Partner(s) Point(s) of Contact: N/A

Date Implemented: February 2019

Type of innovation: Equipment/Mechanical