Safety & Health

State-of-the-Art PPE Washing System Goes in Service in Chicago

Oct. 10, 2024

Chicago fire officials say they are the first in the country to use a new carbon dioxide cleaning system.

The Chicago Fire Department has something unique that will better protect firefighters.

They are the first in the country to use a new carbon dioxide cleaning system for firefighters' gear, WGN reported.

While they have breathing apparatus when they go into many of those hazardous fires, it’s the lingering effect of what’s left on their protective gear that is a liability.

Having this extra step with the pressurized carbon dioxide takes more of those hazardous elements out of the gear to make it safe while keep the fireproof protective gear safer long term.

Gone are the days of simply washing thiings with soap and water.

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.