New firefighter's T-shirts not down to hot weather
Staffordshire Fire Service bosses have said new T-shirts costing £50,000 are being purchased as part of a "periodic review" and are not in response to last year's hot summer.
It was revealed this week that the service was proposing making the outlay on the new shirts for firefighters. Chiefs said the move was part of an "evaluation of operational workwear" and would come out of the budget for kit rather than being an additional expense - and could actually save money.
Last year the service dealt with scores of wildfires on open land during the hot weather and the service revealed it will also be spending £100 per firefighter on wildfire trousers to make them more comfortable on the job in these circumstamces.
A spokeswoman said: "Wildfire trousers are lighter and more suited to the conditions presented by moorland fires than the current structural firefighting suits. They are more comfortable to wear and reduce the risk of firefighters suffering heat exhaustion.
"The trial of the new t-shirts is part of a periodic review and evaluation of operational workwear and not a response to the conditions of last year's summer. These reviews are carried out to ensure firefighter safety and optimise funds. The purchase of new t-shirts would be part of the usual budget for workwear and is not an additional expense - if the service decides to go ahead.
"Still in its early stages, the procurement of new t-shirts is expected to realise a saving over current expenditure. The exact level of saving has yet to be established as no invitation to tender have been issued."
