When you respond to a fire, it’s obvious where the danger is. Flames, heat stress, trips and falls, collapse; you take precautions against all of these.  

But what about when you leave the fire? At Gear Wash, we’re still surprised by how many departments don’t take gear cleaning seriously. Just like it’s incredibly dangerous to go into a structure fire without turnouts, it’s incredibly dangerous to leave the fireground without taking proper precautions.  

Fire Contaminants: What Firefighters Are Up Against 

When firefighters respond to a blaze, they encounter a mix of hazardous materials. Burning structures can release a cocktail of toxic substances, including: 

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): These chemicals, often found in soot, are known carcinogens. They can accumulate in the body over time, increasing the risk of serious health issues. 

• Heavy Metals: Materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium can be released during a fire and cling to gear. Exposure to these metals can lead to severe neurological damage and other health problems. 

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Released by a large number of building materials, VOCs can cause respiratory issues and long-term organ damage. They often linger on gear, posing ongoing risks. 

• Formaldehyde: This irritant is commonly found in many building materials. It can cause skin and respiratory issues, as well as long-term health effects. 

• Diesel/Gas: Firefighters frequently come into contact with diesel and gas. These fumes are dangerous and very difficult to clean out of gear.  

These contaminants can cling to turnout gear, helmets, and gloves, putting you at risk every time you don your gear—and everyone who comes into contact with your dirty gear. 

Why Proper Cleaning Is Crucial 

It’s important that firefighters take precautions to limit their exposure to these common contaminants. The contaminants listed above are only a small part of the many dangerous contaminants firefighters regularly encounter. That’s not even mentioning the increased danger of contaminants from new types of structures and items (like EV fires) whose effects have not been fully studied.  

Firefighters who don’t follow proper cleaning procedures increase their risks:  

1. Chronic Health Issues: Prolonged exposure to fire contaminants can lead to respiratory diseases, skin problems, and even cancer. 
2. Contaminated Homes: Gear can carry toxic residues into living spaces. Whether that’s the station, the cab of your firetruck, or even back in your own home, dirty gear exposes everyone around it to contaminants.  
3. Decreased Performance: Heavy, dirty gear not only poses health risks but can also hinder performance. Think about gear soaked in gasoline—not a great idea to take it into a burning house. Soiled gear can also increase the risk of electrocution and lower its thermal protection.   

Take Action to Protect Yourself and Your Family 

Just like turnouts, you have to do your research to understand how to use the tools you have to keep you safe. You can’t just wing safety!  

Take these steps to help create a culture of safety: 

1. Understand NFPA 1851: Do you have someone in your department who’s an expert with NFPA 1851? The standard outlines best practices for cleaning your gear and reducing the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants. Gear Wash offers classes to educate departments on NFPA 1851 and we have the in-house expertise to give you tailored recommendations when you have questions about setting up (or improving) a cleaning program. We also offer a number of resources on our website about NFPA 1851 compliance.  
2. Preliminary Exposure Reduction: Cleaning should begin on the fireground. The best way to keep your gear clean is to keep as many of the contaminants on the fireground as possible. With your SCBA still on, use a hose and brush to rinse off debris. Research has shown that soap and water can remove as much as 85% of PAHs from turnouts. 
3. Keep Your Gear Separate: While preliminary exposure reduction is a great first step, you should still consider your gear contaminated. After preliminary exposure reduction, immediately place it in a clear plastic bag. Never store or transport it where others will be exposed to it (like the cab or in a public area of your station).  
4. Clean and Inspect: It’s not enough to just throw your gear into a standard residential washing machine. Standard washers aren’t set up to deal with heavily soiled turnouts and don’t clean well enough (not to mention how they can damage your gear). Read up on the best way to care for your gear and ensure that anyone who is cleaning and inspecting gear is properly trained.  
5. Educate Family Members: It’s essential for firefighters to discuss the potential dangers of fire gear with their families. Never bring dirty gear into your home or any other living area and make sure that everyone is on the same page about why that’s so important.  
6. Monitor Health: Regular check-ups with healthcare providers are an important part of keeping you healthy.  

The Need for Professional Cleaning 

When gear is soiled, it’s time to call the experts. You need specialized equipment and training to properly clean turnout gear—especially for hard-to-remove contaminants (like diesel or latex paint).  

That’s where an NFPA 1851 verified cleaner or a verified Independent Service Provider (ISP) like Gear Wash comes in. They have the tools and resources to reduce your risk of exposure. When you look for a cleaner or ISP, consider the following: 

• Expertise: Do they have the knowledge to make sure your gear is cleaned appropriately? As a fully verified ISP, Gear Wash services any brand of gear and has a wealth of NFPA 1851 expertise to ensure that your gear is serviced correctly. 

• Proper Equipment: Ask about the cleaning methods they offer. From CO2 to extractors to ultrasonic to specialized cleaning, there are a wealth of solutions out there that can be combined to better clean your gear.  

• Services Offered: Do they offer the services you need? Beyond cleaning, ask if they are verified to conduct advanced inspections and repair or offer rentals to wear while your gear is being cleaned. Note that verified cleaners are not permitted to provide any type of NFPA 1851 inspection. According to the current edition of NFPA 1851, only a verified ISP (like Gear Wash) can provide advanced inspections. A one-stop-shop means your gear comes back fighting fit.  

Dirty Gear Isn’t a Badge of Honor 

For a long time, dirty turnouts were a badge of honor. But more and more firefighters are realizing that dirty gear is a liability, not an asset.  

By taking proper precautions to clean your gear, you can better protect yourself and those you care about from harmful contamination. Take the time to learn about NFPA 1851 and work with an NFPA 1851 verified provider. Build a culture of safety at your station. Treat contaminants as seriously as you do flames.  

For more information on how Gear Wash can service your gear, contact us to get expert advice and solutions on how to keep your gear—and you—safe.