How Do I Process Firefighter Turnout Gear?

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Q: A smaller fire station near me asked if I could clean their turnout gear on an as-needed basis. Do you have any washing guidelines for turnout gear?

A: Turnout gear, which is used by firefighters and other emergency workers, must be processed in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. These standards not only ensure that the gear will not be damaged by processing, they also deal with specific guidelines for decontamination and other maintenance issues.

To obtain a copy of these guidelines, call NFPA at 617 770-3000 or visit www.nfpa.org.