Basic Operations Firefighter Certification Practice Exam

What should be done with personal protective clothing after doffing?

1. Should be left unwashed

2. Always be cleaned

3. Should be air-dried

4. Only need to be checked for damage

The correct answer is: Always be cleaned

After doffing personal protective clothing, it is crucial that the gear is always cleaned. This is because fireground operations expose protective clothing to various contaminants such as soot, chemicals, and biological materials, which can pose health risks if not properly addressed. Cleaning the gear ensures that these hazardous materials are removed, maintaining the safety and integrity of the equipment for future use. Additionally, regular cleaning helps in prolonging the life of the protective clothing, keeping it effective against heat and other hazards one might encounter while performing firefighting duties. Other options suggest inadequate measures. Leaving the clothing unwashed could lead to residual contaminants and potential health risks. Air-drying alone does not address the need to eliminate hazardous substances, and simply checking for damage without cleaning would still leave harmful residues intact. Thus, the importance of thorough cleaning after the gear has been doffed cannot be overstated.