Health & Safety

Does Fire Call Mix and Volume Affect Your Need for Air Decon?

Many fire departments are discussing firefighter cancer risk, and you may have heard discussions at your own department about how to be healthier in the cab and at the station. You may be wondering how important an air decontamination and filtration system is.  Maybe you believe that on-scene PPE and SCBA protect you during an […]

What is Gross Decon?

When a fire occurs, firefighters not only battle the flames but also face threats posed by hazardous materials and contaminants. One critical aspect of their response is gross decontamination, a process aimed at minimizing the risks associated with exposure to harmful substances. In this article, we will dive into the world of gross decontamination in […]

The Health Continuum: Addressing Health Concerns at Your Fire Station

How do you approach conversations about health at your department? Would a framework make them easier to address? As we joined your conversations about air and gross decontamination, we recognized a lack of a consistent framework for firefighter health discussions. There is plenty of talk about solutions, but no consistent way to organize your solutions […]

Which Firefighter Air Decontamination Technology is Best?

A Comparison of Gas Phase, Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI™), and Photohydroionization® (PHI) By now, you probably know that there are several types of air decontamination and filtration technologies available for firefighter apparatus and fire station protection. Gas Phase, Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization, and Photohydroionization are three prominent technologies in the firefighter air decontamination and filtration space. […]

How Does Toxic PFAS and PFOA Firefighting Foam Affect Your Firefighting Crew?

What is Firefighting Foam?  PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate) and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) are chemicals used to make items resistant to water. These chemicals were historically found in many items like cookware and clothing. PFOS and PFOA have also been used in firefighting foams intended to put out petroleum-based fires. They are commonly found in Aqueous Film […]

How do VOCs, Particulates, & Aerosols Affect Fire Service?

It is no secret that as a firefighter or first responder, you are exposed to health risks and hazards regularly. One of the most talked about risks in firefighting today is air contamination. As a firefighter, you use equipment on scene and off to protect yourself from breathing in harmful materials. Volatile organic compounds, particulates, […]

What is a Firefighter Air Decontamination System?

As a firefighter or first responder, you take plenty of precautions to make sure you return home safely after a call. Using the proper gear on-scene is as important as ever, but what about in-cab and in-station after the call? Have you ever thought about using an air decontamination system to reduce cancer- and disease-causing […]