they are still not fully equipped to do their job effectively. The firefighters explained that they would have been happier if they had also received that which is needed the most namely firefighter boots. There is still a huge shortage of firefighter boots. According to Union Chairman Joel Panka, the delivery of the firefighting suits only provides some minor relief because they are part of an old order that had been placed and that was finally delivered. The union chairman emphasized the importance of the firefighter boots. Although an order was placed via the Ministry of Justice and Police, things are still in the administrative phase. Meanwhile the safety of the nation’s firefighters is under tremendous pressure. Firefighters often have to improvise when they are on duty. Some of them brought their boots to cobblers but the cobblers could not repair the heat resistant boots. Firefighters used tiewraps and steel wires to keep their boots from falling apart but those emergency solutions did not proved futile on the job. The shortage of the proper gear has direct consequences for the daily operations. Exercises can’t be done properly because not all of the firefighters have the proper gear. Panka made it clear that adequate gear is essential to do the job effectively and to be able to help citizens in their hour of need. Suppliers are reluctant to lend a helping hand due to the delay in payments. This only makes it that much harder to obtain new supplies. Panka hopes that the order for the new boots will go through soon so that firefighters can be fully protected when they are on the job. Last year the KBS received 700 firefighting suits.