To prevent irritation after responding to an incident, what should a firefighter do?

To prevent irritation after responding to an incident, decontaminating equipment and gear is crucial. Firefighters often encounter hazardous materials, smoke, and other irritants during their operations. If those contaminants are not addressed, they can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, or other health issues upon subsequent exposure.

Decontamination involves cleaning and removing harmful substances from both personal protective equipment (PPE) and gear, ensuring they do not pose any risk to the firefighter's health after the incident. This process can include washing gear, using appropriate cleaning agents, and checking that equipment is free from pollutants before returning it to service or storage. Proper decontamination not only protects the firefighter immediately after an incident but also contributes to long-term health and safety by reducing the risk of developing serious conditions related to exposure.

While resting and recovering, sealing equipment properly, and documenting the incident are also important parts of a firefighter's post-incident procedures, decontamination specifically addresses the immediate risk posed by hazardous materials encountered during the response.