Firefighters ... Shoes on the dashboard

markus782 · 23 Jul 2018 at 16:08

I love getting the answer to odd, quirky things.

If there are any firefighters on here, why do you sometimes see a fire engine full of firefighters, with a pair of shoes perched on the dashboard behind the windscreen?

I've seen that a couple of times and wonder why?

hughtrimble · 23 Jul 2018 at 16:22

Isn't the answer the same for when you see that in any other vehicle? Don't want them in the foot well and there's no other place for them within reach...

Delvis · 23 Jul 2018 at 16:23

Or they've got hot feet

ttaskmaster · 23 Jul 2018 at 16:42

markus782 said:
If there are any firefighters on here, why do you sometimes see a fire engine full of firefighters, with a pair of shoes perched on the dashboard behind the windscreen?

Firemen wear big clompy boots. I'm gonna guess that they're a **** to drive in, though, so whoever is driving at the time probably has a change of footwear...

Diddums · 23 Jul 2018 at 16:45

Well it would look a bit bloody awkward if they had a fire truck on their shoes now wouldn't it :confused:

Scania · 23 Jul 2018 at 17:18

ttaskmaster said:
Firemen wear big clompy boots. I'm gonna guess that they're a **** to drive in, though, so whoever is driving at the time probably has a change of footwear...

Fire engines are based on hgvs (a lot are Scanias) hgv drivers also wear “big clompy boots” and it’s no problem driving in them.

The shoes might be for when said boots are not required / suitable.

Tefal · 23 Jul 2018 at 17:20

Might just be a comfort thing.

Thier gear is gonna be hot, if its anything like bike gear shoes are easy to take off and you shed shocking amounts of heat from your sweaty feet.

Try it sometime keep your jacket on boots off you still feel cool

Roland Butter · 23 Jul 2018 at 19:33

As any fule kno they are good luck charms in honour of the patron saint of firefighters Saint Espadrille of Brantano.

HAz · 23 Jul 2018 at 20:05

You wear the boots with your leggings, if you're on your way back from a shout you may want to take the leggings and boots off and put your shoes on. Its most likely the officer in the front passenger seat shoes as the drive has to wear shoes when driving not boots.

Minusorange · 23 Jul 2018 at 20:33

They're the boots of the guy who didn't make it out, they put on them display to remind them of the potential dangers that fighting fire brings

Skorpion · 23 Jul 2018 at 20:35

Minusorange said:
They're the boots of the guy who didn't make it out, they put on them display to remind them of the potential dangers that fighting fire brings

You might be flamed for that comment

eddiemcgarrigle · 23 Jul 2018 at 21:35

It's fairly typical for gaffers to place shoes on the dash when sent to an incident when already out and about. There's not a lot of room for getting changed so floor space is at a premium when you are trying to stand and pull on leggings. There's also the potential for shoes to fall out of the cab in the haste of attending to the incident, should they be on the floor. Much safer to place them out of the way and the dash is perfect for it.

markus782 · 23 Jul 2018 at 22:38

eddiemcgarrigle said:
It's fairly typical for gaffers to place shoes on the dash when sent to an incident when already out and about. There's not a lot of room for getting changed so floor space is at a premium when you are trying to stand and pull on leggings. There's also the potential for shoes to fall out of the cab in the haste of attending to the incident, should they be on the floor. Much safer to place them out of the way and the dash is perfect for it.

The perfect explanation, thanks!

I just wondered as I've seen it twice within a few weeks.

Andelusion · 24 Jul 2018 at 12:19

Drying them out on the vents with the heater on?

ttaskmaster · 24 Jul 2018 at 13:08

Scania said:
Fire engines are based on hgvs (a lot are Scanias) hgv drivers also wear “big clompy boots” and it’s no problem driving in them.

It was only a guess, as they're a bit bigger and clompier than the boots my dad wears when he drives his HGV... But I also note our sewer cleaner crews (who do have proper clompy boots) also keep a pair of trainers to drive the big rigs in.

ron3003 · 24 Jul 2018 at 13:11

Skorpion said:
You might be flamed for that comment

Go to blazes

Chris Wilson · 24 Jul 2018 at 14:56

And why are so many fire officers shown being interviewed on TV after a fire is out with helmet and full regalia on, hundreds of yards from the source of the blaze, hours after the drama is over?

ttaskmaster · 24 Jul 2018 at 16:20

Chris Wilson said:
And why are so many fire officers shown being interviewed on TV after a fire is out with helmet and full regalia on, hundreds of yards from the source of the blaze, hours after the drama is over?

Beacuse during the blaze they'd be a bit too busy putting it out to stop and natter with journos, and it'd be pretty flippin' hot and dangerous stood next to the blaze itself...?

Chris Wilson · 24 Jul 2018 at 16:40

ttaskmaster said:
Beacuse during the blaze they'd be a bit too busy putting it out to stop and natter with journos, and it'd be pretty flippin' hot and dangerous stood next to the blaze itself...?

No, no, you misread what I said, I am asking why do they not remove their helmets and fireproof jackets after the blaze is long out and before talking to the media? They very often look as if they have deliberately put the gear back ON to speak in front of any cameras.

Freebird101 · 24 Jul 2018 at 19:14

Chris Wilson said:
No, no, you misread what I said, I am asking why do they not remove their helmets and fireproof jackets after the blaze is long out and before talking to the media? They very often look as if they have deliberately put the gear back ON to speak in front of any cameras.

Impossible to say with out atleast seeing an example.
While it wouldn't surprise me if some individuals put it on for the cameras, it's not the norm from my limited experience. The other likely possibility is that they are still in the stages of "damping down" /salvage/investigation, where they will be sifting through the wreckage/pull parts down to make the scene safe/put out any smoldering areas.
What's your hypothesis Chris?