Is the increased awareness about the risk of cancer moving firefighters to take action? An extensive amount of information has been developed by fire service organizations like the IAFC and IAFF as well as non-fire service organizations like the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to educate us on the benefits of post-fire decontamination of your body and… Read more »

Most hospitals in the United States were not prepared for the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (Ebola) in 2014, with 71 percent of hospital administrators reporting that their facilities were unprepared to receive Ebola patients. By 2017, administrators from only 14 percent of hospitals reported their facilities were still unprepared for emerging infectious disease (EID) threats such as Ebola. Hospital actions to improve preparedness included updating emergency plans, training staff to care for patients with EIDs, purchasing additional supplies, and conducting EID-focused drills.

In the midst of the 2014 Ebola epidemic, the U.S. Agency for International Development commenced the Ebola Design Challenge to contribute to the global community’s response to the epidemic in West Africa. This brought about a product called Highlight, a powder that adds color to bleach to increase its effectiveness as a decontaminant and ensure… Read more »

Kinnos Inc.’s flagship technology, Highlight®, is now being stocked by DQE for first response and emergency preparedness. Highlight®, a powder additive for bleach solutions, colorizes and increases the wettability of the disinfectant to ensure full coverage, and then fades in color to transparent to indicate when the contact time has been met and decontamination is complete. Highlight® has previously been used in Liberia and Guinea for the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and is currently used by first responders, biosafety and healthcare professionals, and non-government organizations for training and routine decontamination.

“Firefighters are contracting cancer at an alarming rate, and we need to take action to protect our brothers and sisters,” Chief Brian McQueen, co-chair of NVFC’s Cancer Subcommittee and a cancer survivor, said in a March 6 press release. “Fortunately, there are specific things we can do to lessen our risks and prevent exposure.” The… Read more »

DQE developed the Sentry Shield line of personal protective kits to protect police officers and first responders from white powdery substances that could contain fentanyl, carfentanil, or other powerful opioid-based substances. The Sentry Shield kits are configured based on the recommendations of the National Institutes of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These personal protection kits range in coverage based on the severity of exposure levels responders may encounter.

The Survey team was very impressed with the comprehensiveness of our plan and incorporation of the PACE evacuation kits, in fact, they noted in their final report that, “…A best practice appears in evacuation planning to include specialized kits for full accountability of patients.” This is a significant finding as the tracking and care of patients/residents during an evacuation is of utmost importance for their well-being and safety.

The decontamination environment can be stressful for contaminated victims, especially when they are distressed with chemical exposure. A place to sit is helpful to steady victims inside the decontamination shower, as well as throughout the decon zone. Now DQE has a solution for safe stability with the new Decon Utility Stool. The DQE Decon Utility… Read more »

Check out our MASCAS decontamination shower system on an episode of NBC’s hit show Superstore.

When a MC 306 and DOT 406 tanker truck carrying hazardous chemicals is involved in an accident and rolls over, the danger of chemicals leaking from the dome lids is high. A dome clamp is used to prevent leakage and hold down the dome lid, but changes to dome designs have made existing dome clamps… Read more »