By: Chief Brian Fennessy, Jeffery Stull, President of International Personal Protection, Inc. and Ret. Chief Mike Duyck
Firefighter cancer risk, contaminated PPE, and exposure accountability are no longer abstract conversations. They’re operational realities facing departments every day.
In a recent Fire Engineering article, Chief Fennessey and Mike Duyck of Emergency Technical Decon sit down to address why decontamination practices must evolve alongside today’s fireground hazards. Their discussion centers on what firefighters are truly being exposed to, where traditional cleaning methods fall short, and how departments can take more proactive steps to protect their people long after the fire is out.
The article explores:
• How carcinogens and chemicals persist in turnout gear beyond visible soot
• Why routine, documented decontamination matters for firefighter health and long-term accountability
• The growing role of independent service providers and validated cleaning processes
• What leadership can do now to reduce risk without adding operational burden
This piece brings together fire service leadership experience and real-world decontamination expertise to move the conversation beyond awareness and toward action.
If you’re responsible for PPE programs, firefighter wellness initiatives, or department policy, this is a must-read.
At Emergency Technical Decon, we’re proud to support these conversations by providing departments with advanced, data-driven decontamination solutions that help reduce exposure risks and support NFPA-aligned care of turnout gear.
