Battalion Chief Ashley Greco shows 13 new turnout coats bought in 2025

Battalion Chief Ashley Greco demonstrated a turnout coat and described the department’s recent purchase of 13 sets of structural personal protective equipment in 2025. "What I have here is a coat," she said, identifying the garment used for structural firefighting.

Greco told the audience turnout coats must be replaced after 10 years. She described the outer shell—the visible yellow layer—as providing "about 25% of the thermal protection offered to firefighters," and said the inner construction contains a vapor barrier that "keeps moisture from getting into the firefighter and causing burns" along with a shiny thermal layer inside.

"That inner layer provides an additional 75% of thermal protection for our firefighters," Greco said, presenting the protection as a two-part system. She noted the operational rationale for the gear: firefighters sometimes enter structures that can reach "up to 1,000 degrees in temperature."

Greco emphasized safety and mobility benefits, saying updated, well-fitting turnout gear reduces the chance of injury and improves firefighters' ability to perform their duties. "This means that when somebody is trapped in a fire, they're able to get to them quicker because their mobility is better," she said.

The presentation focused on equipment design and protective performance; Greco did not specify funding sources or which units will receive the new sets.