(Daphne, AL - July 11th, 2022) ‒ The Daphne Fire Department recently purchased 118 sets of state-of-the-art turnout gear. Turnout gear is personal protective used by firefighters in any type of fire emergency. The new purchase was made possible by funds appropriated by the Daphne City Council totaling close to $280,000.

Firefighters are occupationally exposed to toxic products of combustion and infectious diseases resulting in a 9% greater chance of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% greater chance of dying from cancer than the general population. “A firefighter’s first line of defense against these cancer-causing hazards is the protective turnout gear they wear,” says Battalion Chief Nathan Adams of the Daphne Fire Department.

Just as important as wearing the gear, it is imperative that it be properly cleaned, decontaminated and inspected on a regular basis. The Daphne Fire Department entered into the StaySafe maintenance program through LION, the manufacturer of the gear. “The StaySafe program allows the Daphne Fire Department to send damaged pieces back to us for repair or replacement,” says LION’s Anna Lones, Sr. Product Marketing Manager. “The program also provides biannual cleaning, decontamination and inspection of the gear as well as extended warranty repair of wear and tear for seven years,” Lones continued.

The extended warranty has the added benefit of reducing maintenance costs normally associated with the turnout gear not covered by such a program. The StaySafe program was also made possible by the Daphne City Council committing to earmark $28,202 for each year of the seven-year contract totaling $197,414.

“The City of Daphne is committed to making the health and safety of our firefighters a top priority,” says Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune. “By approving the funds for the purchase of the new turnout gear and by participating in the StaySafe program, our City Council is showing its investment in their safety as well.”

The Daphne Fire Department will host a media day and open house on Monday, July 18th at 10:00 am at Fire Station 5 located at 9909 Milton Jones Road. Local media and Daphne residents are invited to come see the equipment and learn more about the benefits of the new turnout gear and StaySafe Program. Representatives from the Daphne Fire Department and LION’s area vendor, NAFECO, will be onsite to answer questions.