You may be asking yourself—why is it important to have access to good quality PPE for rental?  

There are lots of answers to this question, and lots of situations in which rental PPE can be used. From continued protection during cleaning and repair, to waiting on new turnouts to arrive, or the ability to try before you buy, renting PPE can be incredibly helpful.  

In some cases, renting PPE is just plain old good sense.  

That’s especially true for firefighting academies. As new batches of cadets enter academy training, they’ll need PPE to protect them during live structural exercises.  

Lower Cost

For most, buying a set of gear doesn’t make sense. Buying a set of turnouts for each cadet is extremely cost-prohibitive, and likely not possible for many academies. Nor can most students afford the out-of-pocket expense themselves.  

Renting, on the other hand, is much cheaper than buying gear outright.  

It also makes sense for cadets who may or may not continue their firefighting career. Renting gives the chance to try out gear (and firefighting in general) without making a large investment.  

Cadets also generally don’t need their gear for a long period of time, so rentals give the opportunity to keep gear for however long is needed.  

No More Hand-Me-Downs

Even if an academy does make the investment in gear, they can’t be sure that the gear can be passed down safely. After all, a proper fit is crucial for PPE to provide adequate protection, so having sets doesn’t mean those sets will do what they need to do. 

No two firefighters are the same, and this hand-me-down solution may result in failed protection for these heroes-in-training. Wearing the wrong size PPE will not guarantee your safety.  

Renting gear allows every cadet to have a training set that is in his or her size.  

Less Management

Beyond sizing, renting gear also makes it much easier to ensure that gear is professionally cleaned and inspected. Fewer headaches mean less overhead for the academy, not to mention the benefits of reducing contaminant exposure or risking injury due to faulty PPE.  

It also saves the academy from having to track and store their own PPE.  

Right Gear at the Right Time 

Cadets generally need gear in a hurry. Rental gear is often available with short lead times, meaning that everyone can be suited up and ready when needed. 

That’s especially useful for accessories like gloves and helmets, which can easily be forgotten but are essential components of any firefighter’s ensemble. Quick access to safety apparel removes a layer of friction and gives students and academies one less thing to worry about.  

Don’t Settle for Less 

Many times, rental or hand-me-down gear for firefighters is something you wouldn’t give your worst enemy. Run down or too beaten up, used gear gets a bad rap. Gear should only be rented from professional organizations like Gear Wash that take pride in renting out high-quality, NFPA 1851-certified gear.  

After all, if you wouldn’t wear it, why should someone else? 

Gear Wash: Here for Rental Needs 

With multiple rental hubs across the country, Gear Wash can provide quick access to high-quality rental gear for every size academy. We have turnout sizes for every student and all the accessories they need to stay safe during training. 

Gear Wash is committed to providing quality, safe PPE to firefighters, no matter the circumstances. Still have questions? Contact Gear Wash today!