Gear Wash Blog

Inspecting Turnout Gear: Can You Do It Yourself?

How to perform an NFPA 1850 routine turnout inspection on your own—and when to call the experts.

What Is Ozone Laundering and Is It Right for You?

PPE laundering can feel like a vast and confusing landscape. With changing technologies and conflicting opinions, how do you know what type of laundering best suits your needs?

Combatting Contamination

This article first appeared in International Fire and Safety Journal.

Nick Magoteaux, Business Development & Military Contract Manager for Gear Wash, talks to IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey about firefighter PPE decontamination.

Can you explain the importance of properly maintaining and preserving PPE gear?

How To Properly Inspect Firefighting Gear for Care and Maintenance

This article first appeared in International Firefighter.

Gear preservation is an essential part of any firefighter’s job, andGear Wash understands the importance of managing a high-quality program of inspecting, cleaning and repairing firefighting gear – everything from turnouts to gloves,

The Effects of Improper Washing of PPE Over Time

Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes turnout gear, helmets, gloves, and boots, all designed to protect them from the intense heat, smoke, and hazardous materials they encounter on the job. Properly maintained PPE is essential not only for the safety of the firefighter but also

Preliminary Exposure Reduction & Advanced Cleaning- What's the Difference?

One of the biggest topics within the fire industry in the last few years has been cancer prevention and awareness. We all know the importance of this, but what is something we can target immediately, to prevent preliminary exposure after being on scene? 

NFPA 1851 specifies the recommended

How to Mitigate PPE Damage Over Time

Where does your department keep PPE when not in service? Lockers in the bay, exposed to UV rays and exhaust emissions? If so, it’s time to reconsider how your gear is being stored. Making sure that your PPE is stowed correctly is a perfect example of how you can lessen the risk of damage in the

How to Know When to Retire Your Bunker Gear

NFPA guidelines require turnout gear to be retired 10 years from the date of manufacture. However, sometimes turnout gear needs to be replaced before the 10-year mark. Once the protective properties of the gear have diminished, it is no longer safe to use. This blog will cover some reasons to

Memphis Firefighters Focus on Proper Gear Cleaning

Brittani Moncrease, reporter at ABC 24, visited our Gear Wash location in Memphis, TN to raise awareness about the importance of proper PPE cleaning and maintenance within the fire service! 👏

4 Steps to Clean Your Fire Hood

We all know cleaning yourturnout geartwice a year is recommended by theNFPA, but do you think about your hoods too? It's easy to forget this small piece of gear, but that doesn't make it any less important! Follow these4 quick and easy stepsto get your fire hood properly cleaned.