Firefighters face no shortage of hazards on any given call, but some of the greatest risks don’t disappear once the fire is knocked down. Toxic contaminants can linger on turnout gear, equipment and apparatus long after an incident, contributing to cancer rates that are significantly higher among fire service personnel than the general population.
Looking clean and being decontaminated aren’t the same thing. Manual cleaning methods often leave hazardous compounds embedded in gear, allowing contamination to spread from the fireground to the apparatus, the station and firefighters’ homes. This eBook breaks down the research and lays out what it takes to build an effective decon system, even on a limited budget.
What you’ll learn:
- Why the fire service continues to see elevated cancer rates despite advances in safety practices.
- How cross-contamination spreads from gear and apparatus to the station and firefighters’ homes.
- Why manual cleaning methods and residential washing machines often leave hazardous contaminants behind.
- How red, yellow and green zones at the station can help contain contamination and reduce exposure risk.
- How departments can take a phased approach to building a decon system without straining their budget.
Toxic exposure doesn’t end when the fire is out, and neither should the commitment to protecting firefighter health. Download the eBook to learn how a standardized decontamination process can help reduce cancer risk and protect the people who protect everyone else.
