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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

General

District 13 is now providing substantial Personal Protective Equipment for qualified boat crew members so that we can meet the requirements of the Coast Guard Protective Clothing Policy. This policy is in force and members will not be able to accept orders without the appropriate PPE or a waiver from the station. It is incumbent upon us to request the PPE we need to maintain our readiness.

The supply of this equipment is currently limited. To best utilize the equipment provided by DIRAUX the Division leadership has given the SO-OP the responsibility for distribution of any PPE the Division receives. The SO-OP is able to determine which members are most active in operations and have the greatest need of PPE.

Remember, we must WEAR the required PPE for the conditions unless we receive a waiver from the Station. These waivers are given on a patrol-by-patrol basis. Failure to wear the appropriate PPE may result in termination of your operational certifications.

Background:

From April/May 2004 DIRAUX Notes - CWO4 Paul Bellona’s section

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE): For Everyone’s Information PPE Include: i.e., Anti-Exposure Suit; Dry Suit; Layer 1 or 2 Thermal Protection (Bunny Suit); Type III PFD; Boat Crew Survival Vest w/Whistle, Personal Marker Light Signal Mirror, Survival Knife, Hand Held Flares; Parachute Bag; Glove System; Balaclava; Helmets & Goggles (for PWC Operators or if you are crew on CG maintain boats). Insulated Footwear & Thermal Socks are the responsibility of the member due to all the different sizes.

Returnable Items (if member gets out of Auxiliary or becomes inactive in boat crew program) include: Helmet, Goggles, Parachute Bag, Boat Crew Survival Vest w/Gear, Anti-Exposure Suit, Dry Suit, Bunny Suit, Type III PFD, Glove System, 406 PEPIRB.

All issued PPE: (1) will be issued out to qualified boat crew members (not facilities, flotillas or Divisions) and be signed for by the individual on AF Form 538, Personal Clothing and Equipment Record and a copy will be kept in their records at DIRAUX.

For all Flotilla Commanders/Division Captains: All PPE will be inventoried and shall be included on the end of the year Inventory List. Any PPE that was issued and not signed for (AF-Form 538) will keep that Flotilla/Division from receiving additional PPE until CWO Bellona receives the paperwork.

Further Requested PPE Orders: Should be coming into DIRAUX with the member’s name, size, and requirements, so I can order the proper PPE needs and sizes and keep track of who is getting what. Flotillas are reminded to keep sending in their request for PPE, so I can keep a comprehensive PPE list and maintain it for ordering purposes. I have a bunch of Anti-Exposure Suits; some Dry Suits, Bunny Suits and Type III PFD to issue out on a first come first serve basis.

COAST GUARD PROTECTIVE CLOTHING POLICY: The Coast Guard requires its personnel (including Auxiliary and passengers) to wear the proper Personal Protective Clothing (PPE) while underway on it’s small boats (including Auxiliary facilities). These are the minimum standards and to deviate from these standards you must get a waiver from your order issuing authority. There is also an understanding that the Auxiliary just started receiving funding for PPE and that it will take some time to issue all the proper PPE out to its qualified Boat Crew Members. Once you are issued PPE, you shall utilize it at the proper time:

(1) Regardless of weather, personal flotation devices and Boat Crew Survival Vests will be properly maintained and shall always be worn.

(2) When the water temperature is below 60 degrees F, Anti-Exposure Suits and Boat Crew Survival Vests shall be worn. Additional protection may be worn at the crewmembers discretion.

(3) When the water temperature is below 50 degrees F, Dry Suits with Layer 1 or/and 2 (Bunny Suits) under garments, Type III PFD and Boat Crew Survival Vests shall be worn.

(As an example, if you were on patrol for Station Bellingham and the air temperature was 75 degrees, water temperature was 52 degrees then you would be required to wear you Anti-Exposure Suit while you were underway unless you received permission from Station Bellingham to wear Float Coats or PFDs. Once you received a waiver for wearing certain PPE, you would still take your other PPE with you underway in case it is needed).

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