As more departments get serious about cleaning gear, more options are becoming available to the fire service.  

From new technologies like CO2 cleaning to new verification processes, fire departments increasingly have more opportunities to keep their gear safer and in better condition.  

A verified cleaner or Independent Service Provider (ISP) will be able to make use of these latest technologies and help ensure that your cleaning program is up to the standard of NFPA 1851.  

However, many departments find that the logistics of maintaining NFPA 1851 standards are difficult. It takes time for gear to be sent off, cleaned, inspected, and repaired. During this time, firefighters are potentially left without lifesaving gear.  

How to Manage Without Firefighter Gear When It’s Being Cleaned 

One solution to the problem of downtime is rental gear. For departments that don’t have access to backup sets, rental gear can help fill in the gaps and keep your firefighters protected.  

Rental gear turnaround times can vary, so talk with your rental company to make sure you get the gear when you need it. Gear Wash typically gets gear to departments within days so firefighters don’t miss a beat.  

It can also be helpful to order stock gear. While not as quick as rental gear, stock gear can quickly get you a set of backups so you’re not left unprepared during downtimes.  

But for departments just looking to speed up the cleaning, repair, and inspection process, the best options are to go with a NFPA 1851 verified ISP that has the resources to perform advanced cleaning, advanced inspection, safety related repairs, and turn your gear around quickly.  

While gear can be shipped from anywhere, it’s helpful to be close to the facility where your gear is being cleaned. As the world’s largest verified ISP, Gear Wash has 12 locations (and counting) across the country. Look for a verified cleaner or verified ISP with facilities that are closer to you, ensuring that gear spends less time traveling and more time on the fireground.  

Mobile Units: Cleaning, Inspections, and Repairs Right to You 

The fastest way to get your gear cleaned, inspected, and repaired (other than by having a verified ISP literally in your fire department) is to bring the NFPA  1851 verified cleaner or verified ISP to you.  

Mobile units are an option for departments that need their gear cleaned in a hurry. Depending on verification, these units could  provide a full service to your gear and turn them around in a flash.  

But as with all verified cleaners and verified ISPs, it’s important to note verification and understand what a mobile unit can or can’t do.  

Just like any other facility, every mobile unit must be verified to NFPA 1851 standards by a third party like Intertek or Underwriters Laboratories. And just like every other facility, mobile units can be verified as a verified cleaner (cleaning only, no inspection and repairs permitted) or as a verified ISP that enables them to provide NFPA 1851 compliant advanced inspections and repairs.  

When asked, every mobile unit will be able to provide verification showing that they are certified to perform whatever service is being advertised.  

Consider a mobile unit like a moving building. Every location owned by an ISP or cleaner must be verified, so it makes sense that every mobile unit must be individually certified too.  

For example, Gear Wash’s mobile unit is verified to perform NFPA 1851 advanced cleanings, advanced inspections, and repairs, all on site. It is currently the only one in North America with this ability. That means you can trust our mobile unit is properly NFPA 1851 verified to provide the best care for your gear, backed with our experts and know-how to keep your gear fighting fit. That know-how is then combined with a convenient same day turnaround time!  

Mobile units like Gear Wash’s can park on site at your department, offering a quick turnaround time for all of your gear—from turnouts to helmets to boots. But again, confirm with the provider what services can be performed by requesting a copy of their NFPA 1851 verification certificate.  Also validate the certificate provided matches the mobile unit’s unique identification number that is providing service.   

With verified ISP mobile units, your gear will be cleaned, inspected, and repaired in no time—letting you get back to what you do best: keeping your community safe.