No matter what branch of public safety work you are involved with, at some point, you are going to need a flashlight. The kind of flashlight you'll need depends very much on the task at hand. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, there's an available flashlight for virtually every need. Law enforcement professionals are usually required to have a full-size flashlight as part of a duty rig at all times. If you're a member of a tactical team, it's likely you will need a small, bright light to use in conjunction with your firearm. EMT's might need a penlight to help determine a patient's condition. First Responders might have to search for accident victims in vehicle wreckage, necessitating a bright, lightweight flashlight. Firemen need small lights that can be attached to a helmet, as well as handheld lanterns, to penetrate the haze and mist of smoke and water, and work safely in hazardous environments.
Even if you know generally what kind of flashlight, there are a lot of features and functions to consider:
- Do you want disposable batteries?
- If so, what's your preference: alkaline or lithium?
- Will rechargeable batteries work better for you?
- Do you prefer NiCd, NiMH, or lithium ion batteries?
- What kind of charger will you need?
- Which bulb types work for you?
- How bright do you need the light to be?
- Do you need a particular color light?
Matching these features and functions with how you'll be using your flashlight will go a long way toward helping you make the right choice.
