Fires Beware! Amarillo Firefighter's New Gear Means More Safety

The Amarillo Fire Department is safely protected thanks to new gear they were able to purchase.

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The Amarillo Fire Department now has new attire that will keep them safe as they are fighting fires in our community.

Photo Courtesy: Amarillo Fire Department

They put their lives on the line so they need the best protection.

What kind of gear did the Fire Department Receive?

The AFD received Lion V-Force turnout gear. This also included the RedZone protection.

Accordion to the Lion website the RedZone Protection is:

RedZone is now the only particulate blocking firefighter turnout gear proven to have no ingress at the turnout coat, pant, glove, boot interfaces and closure points, giving firefighters another layer of protection against hazardous particulates contained in smoke and soot.

Is there a reason for the new gear?

The AFD is required to update their protective gear. The National Fire Protection Association requires that the gear be updated every ten years.

How does the AFD feel about the new gear?

"We are elated to have this new personal protective equipment for our firefighters," said Fire Chief Jason Mays. "Having a second set of turnout gear is essential to the safety of our members, from a cancer-avoidance outlook, and should go a long way to ensure their long-term health."

How many sets did the Amarillo Fire Department receive?

The City of Amarillo approved the purchase of 100 new sets of the protective gear.

The AFD will be replacing the old protective gear and move towards making sure each firefighter has a second set of the gear.

As much as our AFD firefighters do for the City of Amarillo, we are glad that they are well protected with they are faced with extinguishing fires and saving lives, homes and business.

In fact, they were recently faced with a fire at this historic Amarillo hotel.

Ranchotel: The Forgotten Landmark of Old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas

The Ranchotel, located at 2501 W. 6th St., is a product of Route 66's heyday.

When Americans first began long-distance automotive travel, they typically stayed in hotels or camped beside the road. In response, clever entrepreneurs began to build what were called tourist courts. The Ranchotel is one of these.

It was built in 1940 and until recently, it was considered one of the best preserved examples of Route 66's tourist facilities. It was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and was well maintained until 2020.

Even now, in spite of the building's fading beauty, there is still the nostalgic air held by many a historic landmark.

The Abandoned Herring Hotel in Amarillo, Texas

You may have passed it a million times while driving downtown, or you may be new to town. Either way, chances are you've seen the beautiful Herring Hotel. The beautiful aging brick tower sits unoccupied on 3rd and Pearce streets. It's a grand building that stands as a reminder of Amarillo's early days as a cattle and oil town and it tells the stories well.

If you've ever wondered what's inside this towering building, just take a peek below.

A Look Inside the Abandoned St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, Texas

The old St. Anthony's hospital in Amarillo, Texas has sat abandoned--but not forgotten--since the early 2000s. The 100-year-old structure still cuts an imposing and impressive figure against the Amarillo skyline. The building serves as a cornerstone memory for many Amarillo natives--the place where life begun (or came to an end).

But for decades, the old St. Anthony's hospital has remained under careful surveillance, and not many know what now lies within. In July 2021, local artist and photographer, Ian Watson, was granted full access to the abandoned hospital--his photos offer an intimate and stark look at the legendary landmark of St. Anthony's as it stands now.