How Does A Field Decontamination Vehicle Provide On-Scene Support? (Case Study)

First responders face many challenges at an emergency scene. While some hazards are visible, like fire and flooding, other toxins are released into the environment, gathering on personal protective equipment.

Below, we outline the role of field decontamination vehicles to help reduce the time first responders spend in soiled gear and equipment and show how one Florida county successfully uses a field decontamination unit on scene.

What Is A Field Decontamination Vehicle?

A field mobile decontamination vehicle provides mobile support to first responders for fast and effective on-scene decontamination of people and equipment.

A field decon unit travels to emergencies alongside other emergency response vehicles to provide access to mobile decontamination systems as well as clean and sanitized personal protective equipment and tools.

Decontamination support vehicles are critical as first responders face growing hazards in the field, from fire, soot and ash, to hazardous chemicals, medications, and more. As a result, field decontamination units are in high demand as the emergency response industry seeks to protect personnel on the front lines.

Case Study: Pasco County Field Decontamination Vehicle

The fire industry advances with the help and guidance of dedicated firefighters like John Schmidt, Health Safety and Wellness Division Chief at Pasco County Fire Rescue in Florida. As a Division Chief, Chief Schmidt has first-hand experience of the dangers that come with emergency response. Using over 36 years of experience in the fire service, he had the vision to create a safe place for firefighters to clean up after entering dangerous and toxic environments. He believed that reducing the amount of time firefighters spent in contaminated gear could work as a preventative measure to protect firefighters from cancer and other diseases.

Chief Schmidt’s first initiative was to create a mobile unit that provided fresh, clean turnout gear and equipment. The 26-foot box truck, currently serving Pasco County Fire Rescue, carries 160 sets of gear, 120 sets of hoods, 120 pairs of gloves, 50 radio straps, 200 helmet headbands, and additional spare items, like boots and helmets in case anything gets damaged.

The success of this truck inspired Chief Schmidt to continue striving for improved firefighter safety initiatives, and the idea of a field decontamination vehicle is a testament to his perseverance.

Chief Schmidt worked with Frontline Communications to develop a truck designed to:

• Rinse down firefighters outside to remove surface soot and toxins.
• Access decontaminating systems on the exterior of the truck to sanitize and clean equipment, including SCBAs, gloves, boots, and helmets.
• Allow firefighters to remove gear in a private environment and store contaminated gear.
• Provide firefighters access to clean turnout gear and PPE.

Let’s take a look inside the decontamination unit.

What Is Included Onboard A Field Decontamination Vehicle?

Pasco County Fire Rescue’s field decontamination vehicle provides an incredible service to firefighters on the scene. Firefighters and other first responders can remove all soiled PPE, and walk away in fresh, clean apparel.

The field decontamination vehicle includes:

• An exterior hose feature that allows firefighters to perform wet decontamination to remove all surface-level toxins on scene.
• Two pneumatic tents, which provide privacy to firefighters as they remove soiled turnout gear.
• A long walk-in closet with 62-feet of double-decker heavy-duty closet rod.
• The middle section of the truck features storage cabinets, two 100-gallon water tanks and a small desk.
• The exterior of the truck’s rear section houses two decontamination systems on either side. Enclosed behind roll-up doors, the decontamination systems are designed to clean and sanitize SCBAs, helmets, gloves, boots, and other small protective equipment.
• A minimum of 120 sets of bunker gear (coat and pants)
• 120 sets of gloves
• 200+ replacement hoods
• 100+ helmet replacement headbands
• 30-40 spare radio straps
• 1,000 department approved wipes
• 6-10 spare helmets
• 6-10 spare pairs of boots
• 60 decontamination bags used to store contaminated PPE prior to cleaning

One or two individuals are tasked with collecting soiled PPE and managing the decontamination process on scene. After decontamination, two slide-out drying racks can be pulled from the truck to hang the clean equipment.

In addition to the decontamination unit's unique design attributes, the vehicle chassis itself is designed with safety in mind. The 13.38" 120 psi steel frame rails offer superior handling and reduced frame deflection, and with all Frontline Communications vehicles, you can expect 360-degree protection. From exceeding crashworthiness testing standards to frontal airbags and UL certifications, Frontline Communications believes in protecting the safety of those who serve.

Why Choose Frontline Communications?

Frontline Communications manufactures highly customized communication vehicles, including broadcast vehicles, command vehicles, and specialty vehicles. Frontline Communications works with customers to understand their unique vehicle needs and builds custom products to exceed their expectations.

“Anytime a firefighter is exposed to smoke, it presents an opportunity to improve firefighter wellbeing,” said Schmidt. “Working with Frontline Communications has been a wonderful experience to help drive our holistic vision of firefighter safety into motion. Knowing that our crews can reduce their time in soiled PPE is a win for our entire community and we are thrilled to have this vehicle to support our dedicated teams.”

Learn more about the Pasco County Fire Rescue mobile decontamination vehicle now, or reach out to your local dealer to learn more about the types of specialty vehicles Frontline Communications can help your department build.

Which feature of the field decon unit do you find the most intriguing and why? Let us know in the comments!