Respiratory Health for First Responder - Responder Health 16-6 — Respiratory Health for First Responder
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Protecting Firefighters from Hidden Hazards

As a firefighter, the dangers you face go beyond the flames. Hidden hazards, such as carcinogens and toxic chemicals, can remain on your gear long after an emergency, posing serious risks to your health, especially your respiratory system. Exposure to these harmful substances — found in soot and vapors — can have long-term effects, even if the damage isn't immediately visible. At Dräger, we are committed to protecting you at every step of your response, ensuring your health and safety, even after the visible danger has passed.

Respiratory Health for First Responder - Respiratory Health for First Responder

Expert Insights on Responder Health

Why is it so crucial to clean your equipment after every call? What are the risks of using unclean gear? Learn about the increased cancer risks firefighters face, toxic gases that may linger after an incident, and the most effective cleaning methods to safeguard your health. Our experts break it down so you can take action to reduce your risks.

Meet our Experts

Stefan Magnusson and David Hultman - Healthy Firefighters

Stefan Magnusson

With nearly 40 years of firefighting experience, Stefan co-founded the Healthy Firefighters project after losing several colleagues to occupational diseases. He has dedicated his career to improving firefighter health and safety.

David Hultman

David is a fire engineer and rescue service manager, specializing in firefighter health education. He regularly speaks at international events on protecting firefighters from long-term health risks.

Simon Vogt - Dräger

Simon Vogt

Global Product and Applications Manager for Cleaning Solutions at Dräger. Simon has extensive experience in developing cleaning and drying solutions that prioritize the wearer’s safety.

About Healthy Firefighters

Dräger proudly supports the Healthy Firefighters initiative, which focuses on reducing long-term health risks for firefighters. Through education, practical strategies, and customized solutions, we help reduce exposure to dangerous substances that remain on clothing and equipment after a fire. By making even small changes, significant improvements in health outcomes can be achieved.

Healthy Firefighters

Safe Handling of Contaminated PPE

After a fire is extinguished, toxic soot particles settle in the surroundings – and also on the clothing and equipment of the responders. A few rules should be followed when on site and also when cleaning the equipment in the workshop, in order to minimize the danger from contact with these particles. Get more insights in the following infographic.

Respiratory Health for first responder 3:2

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Experts for Cleaning and Drying Solutions

With tested and approved cleaning processes, Dräger offers expertly tailored detergent and workshop solutions for Dräger’s PPE portfolio. Whether for small fire stations or large service centers, their processes ensure optimal cleaning results and extend the longevity of critical protective gear. Rely on our extensive knowledge and commitment to maintaining the highest standards in PPE care and hygiene.

Personal Protective Equipment for Responders and Workshop Technicians

Dräger X-plore 1900

Dräger SPC 4400 / SPC 4800 / SPC 4900

Dräger X-pect Goggles

Dräger X-plore 8000

Dräger Workshop Software

Solutions for your Cleaning Requirements in your Workshop

Harstra Wash 6 HP

Ideal for SCBA cleaning with high-pressure systems (HP). It offers the largest capacity, with the ability to clean 6 SCBAs at once. Energy-efficient and mobile for ease of use.

Harstra Wash 9 HP

Compact but powerful, this machine can clean 9 breathing masks or one SCBA. Perfect for small spaces, especially when paired with the M18 drying machine.

Customized Solutions for Manual Cleaning

Dräger offers customized solutions for manual cleaning, tailored to your specific needs to ensure both efficiency and safety.

Harstra drying cabinet F12

Capable of drying up to 12 SCBAs at once, this cabinet offers easy loading and unloading, making it efficient and safe for your team.

Harstra drying cabinet M18

A compact solution for drying up to 18 masks or one SCBA. Best used with the Wash 9 HP for an optimized cleaning and drying process.

Detergents

A selection of tested and approved detergents, validated for Dräger PPE equipment, allows for efficient cleaning of contaminated PPE either with manual cleaning or machine cleaning methods without a high impact on the material and function of the PPE.

Additional downloads

4 parameters that determine cleaning effectiveness

These parameters, so called the ‘Sinner’s circle,’ were developed in 1959. The four parameters are variable and can be combined depending on the degree of the contamination of the contaminated surface and on available resources.

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Safe handling of contaminated PPE on the fireground

Residues from fires, such as toxic soot particles, can settle on firefighters’ clothing and personal protective equipment. The prolonged exposure to this contamination poses serious health risks to firefighters and the people around them.

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Safe handling of contaminated PPE in the workshop

Preview-Reduce-Risk-in-Workshop-DMC-104619-2402-1

Residues from fires, such as toxic soot particles, can settle on firefighters’ clothing and personal protective equipment. By following appropriate procedures in the workshop you can stay away from hazards which come with exposure to contaminated PPE.

Dowload here

Professional cleaning of PPE for Fire Services

Even after the flames are put out, these substances remain in soot and vapors on the surface of the protective equipment, contaminating it. Learn more about the health risks which come with this and how you can get rid of the hazardous substances with the right solutions for an appropriate cleaning approach.

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