Line Packs
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Firefighters must carry almost everything they need with them while they are on duty during a wildfire. Firefighters wear their packs throughout their shifts as they move across the landscape fighting the fire.
Firefighters carry a mixture of items they are required to carry and materials that they choose based on their own preferences. Typically, their packs hold water, food, a headlamp, extra batteries, matches, a space blanket, a signal mirror, compass, whistle, knife, extra socks, personal first aid kit, rain gear, extra clothing, maps, operational period plan, and toilet paper. Beside these items many line personnel also pack extra radio batteries, GPS receiver, weather monitoring instuments (sling psychrometer and wind meter or electronic psychometer with wind meter, relative humidity charts, recording book, pencil), fusees, fire shelter, fireline handbook, incidence reponse pocket guide, extra gloves, binoculars, sun screen, sun glasses, reading glasses, fuel bottles, chain oil bottles, extra spark plugs for saw, file with guard and handle, eye protection, hearing protection, and allergy medication.
The average weight of packs is about 40-50 pounds. Some firefighters prefer to carry this weight in back packs that hang from the top of the shoulders while others choose hip backs that rest on the lower back. Hip packs are better for people who are digging hand line and are bent over most of the day because back packs tend to slide over the head. Firefighters spending their day in an upright position usually opt for a pack that sits closer to the top of their shoulders.
Encyclopedia ID: p320
