Specialised equipment for fire department

GEORGE NEWS - The George municipal fire department has recently acquired specialised equipment that will help keep their staff members safe from contamination in the line of duty, while also reducing risk of contamination to members of the public they come into contact with.

In addition to a hazardous materials (hazmat) suit acquired in June, the department now also boasts a mobile decontamination unit.

George fire chief Neels Barnard says the George Fire Department is often the first responder to vehicle accidents in which trucks had spilt dangerous contents.

“The decontamination unit is mobile and can be set up in the field to decontaminate personnel attending to the scene, at the scene, which increases the safety of everyone at the site and reduces the chances of transference.”George Fire Chief Neels Barnard tests the new hazardous materials suit that was obtained for the response to chemical spills and the increasingly diverse chemical hazard environment.

The hazmat suit will support the department’s handling of hazardous materials at vehicle accidents and chemical incidents at factories. “The hazmat suit encapsulates the staff member completely and has its own oxygen supply to protect them from dangerous fumes and chemicals,” says Barnard. “This allows the firefighter to enter dangerous or poisonous atmospheres.”

Barnard says the new equipment has the added benefit of protecting firefighters in the unknown possible contaminate situations that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may be associated with. The types of fires and incidents handled in the George municipal area are becoming increasingly diverse as the region grows and more types of businesses settle or pass through here.

“The George Municipality is committed to protecting its personnel and citizens and believes that the acquiring of this equipment will ultimately protect and save lives and property,” he says.

The mobile decontamination unit can be set up on scene and will be invaluable in keeping staff safe.