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Dirty Nomex®

 

Nomex® is the brand name for a heat and flame-resistant textile made by the DuPont chemical company and first marketed in 1967. Today, more than three million firefighters and aviation personnel around the world are protected by structure fire turnout gear, wildland fire personal protective equipment (PPE), and flight suits and jackets made of Nomex®.

Nomex® is not flame-proof. It burns when you hold a flame to it, but stops burning once the heat source is removed. The thick woven structure of synthetic fibers is a very poor conductor of heat. When exposed to heat, the fibers expand, closing the spaces between them insulating the wearer. But to work correctly, Nomex® needs proper care.

Dirty Nomex®

  • Wash Nomex® like normal laundry, but always include a rinse cycle that adequately removes soaps and detergents.
  • Nomex® garments should never be subjected to strong oxidizing agents such as peroxides or bleaches. These products harm the physical strength of the fabric.
  • Tumble dry and remove while slightly damp. Over-drying damages the fabric.

Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac on Nomex®

National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) conducted research on laundering Nomex® firefighting clothing that has been contaminated with urushiol oil (what causes the rash) from poison oak/ivy/sumac exposure.

  • NTDP recommends that fire clothing contaminated with urushiol oil be cleaned following normal Nomex® laundering procedures, with a degreaser such as a detergent or a laundry soap, and as soon as possible.
  • Extra care should be exercised when handling the contaminated clothing, and it should be kept separate from unaffected clothing and equipment.
  • Put the affected clothing in a marked bag if you are giving it to someone else to wash. Before handling the affected clothing, apply a skin-barrier product such as Ivy Block or Technu®.

Fuel-Soaked Nomex®

Flammable contaminants will reduce the thermal performance of any flame-resistant garment including Nomex®.

  • Proper and periodic cleaning is essential to maintain thermal protective performance.

 

Action Item -

Nomex® is not effective if it is excessively dirty, fuel-soaked, or has holes. Does your Nomex® need to be washed, repaired, or replaced?

 

Reference:

A 2008 SAFENET corrective action filed by the US Forest Service regarding poison oak reactions experienced by firefighters during the 2008 fire season in California.

 

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid
References
Care & Cleaning Information for Nomex® and Nomex® Blend Flame Resistant Garments
Product Care Information on Nomex® Garments

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee