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 […]

The Effectiveness of Decontamination Procedures on Your Skin & PPE After Exposure to a Fire

Firefighters’skin may be exposed to chemicals via permeation/penetration of combustion byproducts through or around personal protective equipment (PPE) or fromthe cross-transfer of contaminants on PPE to the skin. Additionally, volatile contaminants can evaporate from PPE following a response and be inhaled by firefighters. Using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as respective […]