AfterburnFOUNDATION

FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS

Cost Shouldn't Be the Reason Your Firefighters Go Without Better Decontamination.

Afterburn funds access to advanced decontamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) for departments that document a real access barrier. Qualified independent providers do the work. We help pay for it.

Apply for Funding Who Can Apply

WHAT AFTERBURN MAY FUND

Support Scoped to What Your Firefighters Need

Funding is matched to documented need. Not every department receives every service.

  • 01Advanced Carbon Dioxide (CO2) DecontaminationLiquid CO2 cleaning by a qualified provider
  • 02Coat and Pant CleaningAdvanced cleaning of turnout coats and pants
  • 03Full-PPE DecontaminationThe full ensemble, beyond coat and pants
  • 04Heavy or Severe DecontaminationAfter significant contamination events
  • 05Annual Advanced InspectionA trained check of gear condition and integrity
  • 06Other Qualifying PPE ServicesReviewed case by case
  • 07Shipping and LogisticsMoving gear to and from the provider
  • 08Gap FundingCovering the difference when your budget covers part of the cost

OUR PROGRAMS

Our Three Programs

These are Afterburn's three program types — three distinct levels of support, matched to a department's financial need.

Full Support

Afterburn may fund up to 100% of qualifying costs when financial need substantially limits access. Priority: volunteer, rural, combination, and smaller departments.

Gap Support

Departments that can contribute existing PPE-care funding receive help covering the remaining gap. We don't replace money a department can already spend.

Referral Without Subsidy

Departments that can afford the service are connected to qualified providers without using charitable funding, preserving donations for firefighters whose access depends on assistance.

We don't replace money a department can already spend. We remove the barrier.

WHO CAN APPLY

Any Department With a Documented Access Barrier

CAREER VOLUNTEER COMBINATION RURAL FIRE DISTRICTS STRUCTURAL WILDLAND OTHER FIRE AGENCIES
Department type alone doesn't decide eligibility.

Volunteer status doesn't automatically qualify a department, and career status doesn't disqualify one. Decisions rest on documented access barriers and the resources a department has available.

HOW IT WORKS

Six Steps From Application to Service

  1. STEP 01

    Apply

    Complete the online application documenting your gear, cleaning practices and financial barriers.

  2. STEP 02

    Qualification

    Afterburn reviews your application and confirms which firefighters qualify.

  3. STEP 03

    Participation Letter

    Your department receives a letter outlining covered firefighters, services and expectations.

  4. STEP 04

    Funding

    Pooled sponsorship funding is allocated to your qualified firefighters.

  5. STEP 05

    Provider Handoff

    We connect you with a qualified independent provider and coordinate the logistics.

  6. STEP 06

    Service

    Your gear is decontaminated and inspected, and each service is tracked.

WHAT WE'LL ASK

Have This Information Handy

The application documents your resources and barriers. Estimates are fine where exact figures aren't available.

Start the Application
  1. Firefighters and PPE
  2. Existing cleaning practices
  3. Current budget
  4. Current service costs
  5. Available department contribution
  6. Requested assistance
  7. Shipping and logistics
  8. Operational readiness

QUESTIONS

Department FAQ

Something else? Call 916-243-5262.

Will this create extra work for our crew?

No. Afterburn coordinates logistics with the provider. Your department names a point of contact, and we handle the scheduling and shipping arrangements.

Do we have to switch cleaning providers?

No. There's no lock-in. If you already work with a provider that meets our qualification standards, we can work with them.

We can pay for part of it. Can Afterburn cover the rest?

Yes. Gap funding is available when your department can contribute part of the cost. Tell us what you can cover in the application.

What happens to the information we share?

Your application is used to evaluate need. Anything we publish or share with donors is aggregate reporting only, never your department's budget details or individual firefighters' information.

WANT TO HELP?

Sponsor a Firefighter

$500 provides one firefighter with a year of advanced decontamination access.

Sponsor a Firefighter

NEED HELP FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT?

Apply for Funding

If cost is limiting your department's access, Afterburn may be able to help.

Apply for Funding