Privacy | Legal

Back | Cover Page

Technology & Development Center

Firefighters Field Pack : User Instructions

Firefighters Field Pack: User Instructors, Continued

10. Attach sway straps located on the bottom of the pack to the equipment belt. Adjust straps so pack doesn’t sway. Keep straps loose enough so belt won’t ride up when you bend forward.

11. Adjust chest strap by raising or lowering to a comfortable level.

Loading Your Pack

An important rule of thumb is to keep at least 50 percent of the weight on your equipment belt. When you put more weight in the pack than on the belt, the chest strap will ride up uncomfortably on your chest. Experiment with different load combinations to find the one that feels right before wearing the field pack on the fireline.

During travel, the equipment belt, harness, belt pack, canteen cases, hard hat, gloves, etc., fit into the main pack. On the fireline, carry bulky items such as coat, rations, and extra water in the main pack.

There is room on the equipment belt for additional items (such as radios).

About the firefighters field pack. . .

The Missoula Technology and Development Center obtained design ideas for the field pack through a Service wide survey. Respondents said cruiser vests, military packs, and commercial day packs were inadequate. They felt an entirely new design was needed.

MTDC developed the firefighters field pack. It includes many ideas from field people who responded to the survey and sent prototype packs. The initial design has been refined, and the field pack described in this pamphlet reflects the latest design improvements.

The field pack’s versatile design allows you to carry what you need to sustain yourself on the fireline. The belt pack makes it possible to do without the main pack. The component design lets you wear the pack in several ways:

• As a complete system, when lots of gear must be carried.
  
  
• Harness and equipment belt with belt pack for moderate loads and cooler upper body when a few items are needed plus fire shelter and canteens.
  
  
• Equipment belt alone for lightest loads such as fire shelter and canteens.

The field pack’s different load-carrying options help reduce fatigue while working. On hot days shift gear to the equipment belt and remove the main pack. This promotes upper body cooling, which helps prevent heat stress.

Because the energy cost of lifting and supporting a load on your back while digging fireline or mopping up is significant, the field pack lets you carry most of your gear on the equipment belt. Military studies show that people can work and maneuver best in activities like firefighting with loads concentrated about the hips.

Suggestions?

If you have suggestions for improvements after using your firefighters field pack, write or call:

George Jackson

Missoula Technology & Development Center
Room 218
5785 Hwy 10 West
Missoula MT 59808
(406) 329-3967
gjackson@fs.fed.us

Top Back Cover Page Cover Page

E-mail: wo_mtdc_webmaster@fs.fed.us	Technology & Development Center

Visitor since January 14, 2005