Biological Decontamination is Not the Same as Cleaning Gear After a Fire

80% or more of emergency responses are medical calls

The fire service has long embraced cleaning gear after a fire. Known carcinogens exist and firefighters are regularly exposed to dangerous contamination; contamination that must be immediately removed from structural firefighting gear. However, not every shift sees a working fire. The reality is that 80% or more of emergency responses are medical calls; car accidents, medical emergencies, and routine residential alarms. What are the crews exposed to? Flu, MRSA, COVID, bed bugs, and the list goes on. 

What you cannot see hurts you – and your family

Visibly soiled gear goes into the washer/extractor, but the biological contamination is almost always invisible. 

Although gear may not be visibly soiled, it could be contaminated with infection-causing viruses/bacteria. First responders also bring personal items like backpacks, duffel bags, etc. to the stations and take them home with them at the end of the shift, posing a health risk to not just themselves but to their families. Thus, contamination threats go unnoticed and may result in personnel falling sick and spreading the infection to others or family members.

You need your gear now – not in two days

Many firefighters are not issued a second set of gear, so the process and downtime of emptying pockets, disassembling turnout gear, washing, and drying might take 2 days. And all the while the gear is out of service. Because of this, everyday gear, including helmets, gloves, jump bags, etc. are almost never decontaminated. 

Enter Cres Guard

Cres Cor reimagined its heat and humidity technology in food service and developed Cres Guard, a new chemical-free biological decontamination cabinet. The cabinet was tested in an independent study on actual gear and was proven to decontaminate fire gear up to 99.9999% in a quick 15 mins cycle, far exceeding NFPA standards.

Why Cres Guard?

• No chemicals are involved in the process leaving no residue or odor.
• Easy operation and can be used multiple times per shift.
• Can be used to decontaminate items that can withstand heat and humidity such as turn out gear, SCBA masks, helmets, gloves, hoods, bulletproof vests, boots, jump bags, personal items like backpacks and more.
• Fully assembled gear (no need to separate the liner from the shell) is dry and immediately available for use after the 15 mins cycle, without harsh chemicals or long out-of-service periods. 

Who is using Cres Guard

Oklahoma City Fire Department has shown its commitment to protecting its first responders by installing 45 Cres Guard units, one for every station and multiple at its training facilities. Mentor Fire Department, in Northeast Ohio, is using Cres Guard’s chemical-free decontamination in each of their five stations. Cres Guard’s adoption has been swift, from military fire departments in Alaska to multiple installations throughout the US.

“The Cres Guard Cabinet has made the task of biological decontamination extremely easy and does not put the equipment of service for long periods of time,” comments Chief of Safety Clint Greenwood, Oklahoma City Fire Department (Ret.). “After installing the Cres Guard, we saw a drop in the spread of COVID-19 among the personnel. These cabinets were also beneficial in killing bed bugs.”

Made in USA, Mentor, Ohio

Engineered and built in a modern, vertically integrated factory, Cres Cor employs over 150 highly trained craftsmen, engineers, electricians, and production staff. Cres Cor ships its cabinets worldwide and provides a dealer and support network unparalleled in the industry. For more information contact Rio DeGennaro, at (877) 273-7267 Ext. 268, mobile (440) 463-0808 or email [email protected]. www.crescor-hs.com