Local Company, FD Partnership Protects First Responders and Residents

“Some of the problems we’re always concerned about are (communicable) sicknesses like the common cold, and obviously, Coronavirus. Bedbugs are another concern. The CRES GUARD Cabinets give us a good way to counter and address some of those concerns, providing needed safety and security for us.”

- Deputy Chief Robert Evans

The rapid and safe decontamination of a fire department’s equipment and gear is always important, but in a year like 2021, the pressures increased and the stakes were considerably higher. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic raged, the City of Mentor, Ohio, Fire Department saw its busiest year ever on record.

During the 2022 State of the City Address, Mentor City Manager Kenneth J. Filipiak reported that Fire Chief Bob Searles and his department responded to more than 8,800 calls.

Viral and other Biological Contaminants are a Constant Threat

As Deputy Chief Robert Evans pointed out, about 80% of the department’s calls are EMS calls – so while gear doesn’t collect soot and other fire-related soil agents on those runs, biological contaminants are almost always present.

The Coronavirus pandemic was rightly top of mind for everyone at that time, but EMS and other first responders are in constant contact with numerous blood and airborne pathogens, as well as bedbugs and other “invisible” but harmful biological contaminants.

An independent lab study conducted in June 2021 found that Cres Guard exceeds the latest cleaning requirements set by NFPA Standard 1851 at a minimum of 3-log reduction of gram- positive and gram-negative bacteria. It has proven to decontaminate a 6-log reduction (99.9999%)* of more difficult to kill non-enveloped viruses exceeding the standard, not just by disinfecting better but by its ability to disinfect higher-resistant organisms.

Most common chemical disinfectant sprays and wipes kill some lower resistant microorganisms only at a 3-log level (99.9%).

The Goal is to Make Decontaminating Gear as Easy as Possible

Firefighters rarely have extra personal protective gear, so getting turnout coats, boots, and other gear decontaminated and back into service, quickly, is paramount. When the Chief and Deputy Chief learned of the availability of CRES GUARD, a portable, easy-to-use, and chemical-free decontamination unit that could eliminate 99.9999%* of those worrisome contaminants in one 15-minute cycle, they were convinced the solution was necessary for their crews’ safety.

The fact that the manufacturer is located in Mentor (Ohio) was just a bonus.

“We’re happy to say that a decontamination unit will be placed in each of our stations,” City Manager Kenneth J Filipiak said at the State of the City Address on February 24, 2022. “You can actually place the turnout gear in the unit to decontaminate the gear after a run, and I'm really happy to say that those are actually created by Cres Cor, a great Mentor company."

Chemical Concerns and Cross-Contamination

“Rapid decontamination of equipment is typically hard to do without chemicals. Before, we had more than a one-hour turnaround with chemical decontamination.”

"Some of the problems we’re always concerned about are (communicable) sicknesses like the common cold, and obviously, Coronavirus. Bedbugs are another concern. The Cres Guard Cabinets give us a good way to counter and address some of those concerns, providing needed safety and security for us."

-Deputy Chief Robert Evans

Firefighters face a lot of dangers, and some that are easy to overlook are the real health and safety concerns associated with chemical agents that are used in many aspects of the job.

Often after using a chemical decontamination product, “chemicals linger on turnout gear and equipment and gear remains wet, keeping it out of service for a longer time,” Evans explained.

Whether it’s shift boots, jump bags, a firefighter’s personal coat, bedding linens, or other items entering the living quarters at the station, firefighters are constantly exposed to something, posing a higher risk of cross-contamination. The department was delighted to learn that the CRES GUARD Cabinet is completely chemical-free. It uses a combination of water and heat to decontaminate gear.

“The crew at Reynolds Road (Station) is also using it for a whole array of personal items,” Evans said. “They use it for bedding, their coats, and other clothing and personal items.”

Adoption and Resistance to Change

Fire Departments are regimented, because they have to be, and firefighters are serious creatures of habit. That’s a good thing: those habits save lives.

But those common traits mean change can come hard to a department. Adoption of new equipment is usually met with more than a few groans and sometimes, long hours of training - so naturally, CRES GUARD cabinets can encounter some doubts and resistance. However, crew acceptance usually happens very quickly.

“Initially there was some resistance, but once they started using it, they saw how easy it was, and they actually started using it on more things like shoes and bedding items, that we didn’t expect them to put in it,” Evans said.

"During a shift change, typically, if the machine isn’t already powered on, the outgoing shift will turn on the machine and once it’s warmed up, run a cycle with their coats and personal stuff that’s been sitting out for the past 24- to 48 hours,” Evans said. “They’re putting in workout gear, and other stuff we never would’ve thought of.”

Hard- and soft-sided items can be placed in the cabinet at the same time, so a fire helmet, jump bag and coat or shoes could be decontaminated in a single cycle.

At about six feet high and 2.5-feet by 2.5-feet wide and fitted with casters, CRES GUARD rolls easily into a corner or any open wall space in the equipment bay. Because the cabinet uses water to decontaminate gear, it’s convenient to just fill the bottom of the cabinet with the recommended three to four gallons of water.

“We like that we can leave it turned on for the whole shift.

Once it’s on and up to temperature, it remains on all day long.”

"Cultural Change” for Firefighter Health and Safety

"Being dirty isn’t a tough-guy badge of honor anymore."

- Deputy Chief Robert Evans

Evans admits any new equipment or protocols can trigger unease but says he’s seen little real resistance to using the CRES GUARD Cabinet for decontamination.

After 29 years in the line of duty, Evans said, “I think the fire service has evolved. We’re more knowledgeable about carcinogens and other biologic hazards. We’re seeing, and we’ve been seeing some real cultural change.”

With more awareness of the long-term risks associated with chemical agents, and heightened awareness of viruses and other biological contaminants, both bloodborne and airborne, Evans said the availability of an effective decontamination unit that does not use chemicals made the cabinet “easy to love.”

“We don’t want to be exposed to more contaminants than absolutely necessary, and we don’t want to take them home to our families,” he said. “This is a quick, easy way to decontaminate equipment.”

Being Part of a Local Solution to Global Concerns

As part of the management-review team that evaluated the CRES GUARD Cabinets before purchasing for the Department, Evans said he was impressed with the Mentor company that designed and manufactures the units.

“Cres Cor Health and Safety didn’t come in with a hard sell. They really did come in to help us solve problems. I was also impressed with the way they take input from (their customers) to improve service.” 

-Deputy Chief Robert Evans

About Cres Cor Health & Safety

Cres Cor Health and Safety is a division of Cres Cor, a family-owned company that is well-known as a premier brand in the commercial food service industry for its innovative heating technologies, and high-quality and specialty metal solutions. Founded in 1936, with state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facilities in Northeast Ohio, the Cres Cor Health and Safety Division was established in 2021 to focus on the health and safety of first responders and public health professionals.

For more information, contact Rio DeGennaro at Cres Cor Health and Safety.

Phone: (440) 463-0808

Email: rdegennaro@crescor-hs.com