BULLHEAD CITY – Fires today are not the same as they were in the past wood, glass, metals, and modern structures are now filled with plastics, electronics and endless materials made with flame retardants. This combination of burning materials can create dangerous carcinogens, and we’re beginning to learn more about the damaging effects on firefighters.

Turnout gear is designed to protect firefighters against heat, but the soot can seep into gaps around the face, neck, hands, and legs as body temperatures increase your pores open and absorb up to 400 percent more than usual. Cleaning the turnout gear properly is paramount in limiting the spread of these harmful carcinogens to firefighters and their families.

BCFD is committed to protecting their members by arming firefighters with the best tools shielding them against hazards they may encounter. Each station is now equipped with a new UniMac Extractor. Extractors are a high-capacity laundry system developed to ensure the safe cleaning of heavily soiled gear using a specialized cleaning solution. In addition, each firefighter will be issued two sets of turnouts. Allowing firefighters to rotate and clean the contaminated set of turnouts while on duty. The UniMac Extractors and additional turnouts were purchased with funds from the General Obligation Bond, keeping up with technology allows them to stay ahead of the ever-increasing challenges of saving life, property and protecting our first responders.