Fire fighters are regularly faced with the challenge of combining their personal safety with rapid operational readiness. Contaminated turnout gear can pose health risks, which is why professional cleaning is essential. The Tauberbischofsheim Volunteer Fire Department is an outstanding example of a well-thought-out hygiene concept. It relies on pool clothing, an in-house laundry with an industrial washing machine and a drying cabinet for fire department turnout gear, and a clear structure for hygienic processes.
During operations, firefighters are often exposed to toxic or even carcinogenic substances. With a professional hygiene concept, fire departments ensure that their emergency crews are protected from contamination with hazardous substances and safeguard their health. To prevent the spread of pollutants at the scene and in the fire station, more and more fire departments are opting for professional hygiene concepts – including the voluntary fire department in Tauberbischofsheim.
A modern hygiene concept for maximum safety
The Tauberbischofsheim Volunteer Fire Brigade introduced its innovative hygiene concept in 2022. The core elements are:
- Pool clothing instead of personalised protective equipment: All emergency services personnel have access to a central supply of clothing, ensuring that sufficient clean clothing is available at all times.
- Setting up an in-house laundry with the high-performance industrial washing machine ATOLL and a drying cabinet TS 1300 for fire brigade workwear.
- Hygiene roll container for initial cleaning on site to minimise contamination at the point of use and protect colleagues.
- A lock system in the equipment building that strictly separates clean and dirty clothing.
Efficient cleaning with STAHL laundry machines
In the past, firefighters often had to wait days for their protective gear to be cleaned. This meant that contaminated clothing was sometimes worn multiple times – with significant health risks. Thanks to the hygiene concept with an in-house laundry, today, turnout gear can be worn again just one to two days after a deployment. Tips for properly cleaning firefighter turnout gear
Economical and sustainable
In addition to the enormous increase in safety, the new concept also brings economic advantages for the voluntary fire brigade in Tauberbischofsheim:
- the shared use of pool clothing reduces the need for personal protective clothing, which saves on purchasing costs.
- Professional cleaning on site with high-performance equipment is an economically viable solution and enables the efficient use of resources.
A role model for other fire departments
The Tauberbischofsheim fire department shows how a modern hygiene concept can not only improve safety but also cost-effectiveness. The combination of high-quality protective clothing, professional cleaning and well-thought-out organisation offers a blueprint for fire departments throughout Germany.
What is a hygiene concept for fire brigades?
A hygiene concept for fire brigades is a comprehensive plan for avoiding contamination and protecting the health of firefighters. It has many advantages:
- Health protection: A hygiene concept reduces the risk of illness from exposure to toxic or carcinogenic substances during operations.
- Contamination prevention: the concept defines procedures to prevent the spread of contaminants, both at the scene of the emergency and at the fire station.
- Standardised processes: The concept defines clear processes for cleaning equipment, vehicles and personnel after operations. With an industrial washing machine and drying cabinet suitable for firefighter turnout gear, the turnout gear can be cleaned reliably and safely.
- Documentation: A hygiene concept enables the recording of exposure to contaminants, which can be important for subsequent health assessments.
- Awareness: the concept raises awareness among firefighters of the importance of hygiene measures and promotes their consistent implementation, for example cleaning their clothing after every operation.
- Legal protection: the concept helps the fire brigade’s sponsor to fulfil its duty of care and comply with legal requirements.
©Image material: Tauberbischofsheim Volunteer Fire Brigade
