FDNY and FDNY-EMS guys come into the shop pretty regularly. Some of it's for the second job — a lot of firefighters do construction or contracting on their off days. Some is for the off-duty bag they keep in the truck because if there's a call on the way home, they're going. Here's what we stock and why.
Boots: this is the trade-specific part. EMS guys want a tactical-style boot that's comfortable for a 12-hour shift, has a good sole for stairwells and slick floors, and looks the part. The Bates GX-8 8-inch composite-toe waterproof, the 5.11 ATAC 2.0 8-inch, and the Rocky S2V are the three we stock. The Magnum Stealth Force is the budget version.
Off-duty firefighters who do construction or contracting on the side typically run two boots — the Bates or 5.11 for medical/EMS calls, and a Carhartt or Thorogood for the construction side. We sell both.
Pants: 5.11 Stryke or 5.11 TacLite Pro for tactical/EMS. Carhartt Rugged Flex Rigby for construction-side work. The Tru-Spec 24-7 Series is the budget tactical pant. Most FDNY guys we see have 4-5 pairs in rotation.
Shirts: Rothco short and long-sleeve tactical T's are popular — about $20 each. The 5.11 PT-R and 5.11 Loose-Fit Tactical T are the upgrades. Cotton or polyester depending on preference. Most EMS guys want polyester because it dries faster between calls.
Job shirts: this is the FDNY signature. The Game Sportswear job shirt is the standard. We stock a few colors and embroidery is in-shop. About $50-70 each.
Belts: a sturdy belt because EMS carries gear. The Rothco riggers belt or the 5.11 Operator are the two we sell most. Avoid leather belts under tactical pants — the leather doesn't take the weight of a holster, glove pouch, and shears as well.
Outerwear: Rothco BDU jackets, Carhartt Detroit, and the 5.11 Aggressor parka for winter cold-weather work. The 5.11 has a removable liner.
"Off-duty doesn't mean off-call. The bag in the truck is the bag for the call on the way home."
Job-bag essentials we keep at the counter for first responders: trauma shears (Cetacean orange-handle, the standard), a personal tourniquet (the SOFTT-W or CAT Gen 7), nitrile gloves by the box, a small notepad, a black Sharpie, a flashlight (Streamlight Stinger or ProTac HL), and a backup lighter. Most of these aren't workwear but we stock them because they're what gets asked for.
Watches: this is a small but consistent ask. A G-Shock GA-2100 or DW-5600 is the FDNY/EMS standard. We don't sell watches on the floor but the recommendation is consistent enough I'm putting it in here.
Gloves: nitrile disposables for EMS (we stock 7-mil, 100-count boxes), a leather extrication glove for car-accident work (the HexArmor 4042 EXT is what we sell), and a regular work glove for off-duty construction.
Hat: Game Sportswear or Rothco baseball caps for off-duty. A NYFD watch cap (knit beanie) for cold weather. Most guys also keep a high-vis vest in their personal vehicle for off-duty traffic stops or roadside assists.
Backpack: the 5.11 RUSH 12 or RUSH 24 is the standard go-bag. About $130-160. EMS guys keep a personal one with extra gloves, snacks, water, charger, and a backup uniform.
Sock and base layer: Darn Tough Tactical Boot Sock, period. Merino under a tactical pant in winter, just a tee in summer.
Service uniform pieces — the actual uniform shirt, the badge holder, the rank insignia — we don't sell those. Those go through union supply or Class A vendors. Off-duty workwear is what we stock, and we stock a lot of it because the guys keep buying it.
First responders are a steady part of the customer base. The kit is its own thing — it has to look right, work hard, and be ready to switch from off-duty to on-call without a thought.