Every call can expose turnout gear to smoke, soot, chemicals and other contaminants. Proper cleaning is an important part of caring for that gear — and protecting the firefighters who wear it. For many fire departments, having the right equipment to clean and dry turnout gear can be a challenge. Gear washers and dryers are a significant investment, especially for smaller departments with limited budgets. That’s where the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program can become an important funding opportunity.
While nobody joins the fire service because they enjoy writing grants, preparing early can make the process much easier. If your department is considering an AFG application for firefighter laundry equipment, here’s what you should know.
Why Does Turnout Gear Need Specialized Cleaning?
Turnout gear isn’t ordinary clothing. After a fire, turnout gear can carry contaminants that shouldn’t be brought back into the station, home or vehicle. Simply throwing gear into a household washing machine isn’t an adequate solution and the wrong cleaning process can potentially damage protective materials.
A purpose-built turnout gear washer is designed to provide the controlled cleaning process needed for firefighter PPE. Programmable cycles allow departments to establish consistent cleaning procedures while helping protect the integrity and performance of the gear.
Drying matters, too. A gear dryer provides controlled drying designed for protective clothing rather than relying on improvised methods that may damage fabrics or components.
The result is a more consistent approach to PPE care that helps departments get gear cleaned, dried and ready for service.
Why Laundry Equipment Designed for Fire Departments Matters
Think about how often turnout gear is used. A busy department may need to clean multiple sets of gear regularly. Without dedicated equipment, firefighters may have to transport contaminated PPE to another facility, use equipment that isn’t designed for turnout gear or delay cleaning because of limited capacity.
A dedicated laundry system can help departments:
- Establish a consistent gear-cleaning process
- Handle multiple sets of turnout gear efficiently
- Reduce reliance on household or unsuitable laundry equipment
- Help protect the integrity and life of PPE
- Get gear back into service faster
The goal isn’t simply cleaner gear. It’s a better system for managing one of the most important pieces of equipment a firefighter wears.
Could An AFG Grant Help Pay for New Laundry Equipment?
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program is designed to help fire departments improve firefighter and community safety through funding for eligible equipment, training and other activities.
For departments considering a new gear washer and dryer, AFG may provide an opportunity to address an equipment need without relying entirely on the department’s operating budget.
However, grant requirements, eligible activities and application priorities can change. Always review the current AFG Notice of Funding Opportunity and program guidance before developing your application.
5 Ways to Prepare For Your AFG Application
1. Start With the Equipment — Not the Grant
Before writing your application, understand exactly what your department needs. How many sets of turnout gear need to be cleaned? How frequently is gear washed? What equipment are you currently using? What limitations are preventing your department from cleaning PPE effectively?
The team at Continental West can help you evaluate those questions and determine the appropriate laundry equipment for your fire department.
2. Explain the Problem in Real Terms
A grant reviewer needs to understand why the investment matters to your department. Instead of simply saying, “We need a new washer,” explain what happens without one. For example:
- Is your current equipment too small for your department’s needs?
- Do firefighters have to travel to another facility to clean PPE?
- Does limited equipment capacity delay gear cleaning?
- Is your current washer or dryer aging or unreliable?
The stronger your connection between the existing problem and the requested solution, the easier it is to demonstrate why the project deserves consideration.
3. Put Numbers Behind the Need
Numbers tell the story. Don’t just say your department cleans turnout gear frequently. Quantify it. Consider documenting:
- How many firefighters and sets of PPE does your department have?
- How frequently is gear cleaned following calls or other exposure?
- How long does your current cleaning process take? Are there transportation or scheduling challenges?
These details help turn a general equipment request into a clearly defined operational need.
4. Connect Laundry to Firefighter Safety
This is where your application can go beyond equipment specifications. A fire department laundry system isn’t simply another appliance in the station. It is part of your department’s approach to PPE care and firefighter health and safety.
Explain how having dedicated equipment can support a consistent process for cleaning contaminated gear and maintaining PPE.
Use credible sources, applicable NFPA standards and current firefighter health research to support your explanation.
Most importantly, connect the dots between fire ground exposure, contaminated PPE, proper cleaning and firefighter health and PPE care.
That story is much more compelling than a list of washer features.
5. Get Your Information Ready Before the Grant Opens
One of the biggest advantages you can give yourself is time. Don’t wait for the AFG application period to begin before contacting a distributor, researching equipment and gathering information.
Have the basics ready:
- Equipment needs
- Equipment specifications
- Project justification
- Department statistics
- Budget and equipment quote
- Supporting research
- Information about your current laundry process
Then, when the application period opens, you can focus on telling your department’s story instead of scrambling to gather information.
What Should You Ask Your Laundry Equipment Distributor?
If you’re just beginning to explore laundry equipment for your fire department, you don’t have to know exactly what you need.
Start with questions such as:
- What size washer does our department need?
- How many sets of turnout gear can we process?
- What type of dryer is appropriate for our PPE?
- What installation requirements should we plan for?
- What information should we include in our equipment budget?
- Can you provide specifications and documentation for our grant application?
The Continental West team can help you work through these questions and develop an equipment solution based on your department’s actual needs.
Don’t Wait Until Grant Season
The strongest AFG applications don’t start with a blank page. They start with a clearly identified need, supporting information and a realistic project plan.
If your department needs a better way to clean and dry turnout gear, start the conversation now. Evaluating your current laundry process and talking with the Continental West team can help you understand your options and put you in a better position when funding opportunities become available.