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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

Last Modified / Reviewed:


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NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

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

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22