AfterburnFOUNDATION

How Afterburn’s Clean Gear Program Works for Fire Departments

Fire departments know that firefighter protective equipment needs proper care. The challenge is making sure departments can access the services they need when cost, geography, or limited resources stand in the way.

The Afterburn Foundation was created to address that access problem.

Through its Clean Gear Program, Afterburn helps qualifying fire departments access advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) decontamination by connecting documented department need with philanthropic funding and qualified independent service providers.

The process moves from an initial application to qualification, sponsorship funding, provider coordination, service delivery, and impact reporting. Each step helps establish what a department needs, how funding can support that need, and what the program ultimately makes possible.

Here’s how it works.

What is the Afterburn Clean Gear Program?

The Afterburn Clean Gear Program provides financial assistance for qualifying advanced firefighter PPE decontamination.

Afterburn is an access and funding organization. It does not manufacture cleaning equipment or operate a cleaning facility. Its role is to identify department needs, evaluate eligibility, raise philanthropic funding, connect qualifying departments with independent providers, and track program results.

The program is designed for departments whose access to advanced decontamination is limited by financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barriers.

That distinction matters. A department may recognize the value of a service and still lack a practical way to pay for it or access a qualified provider. Afterburn exists to help bridge that gap.

The sponsorship model: $500. One firefighter. One year.

The program uses a consistent annual sponsorship unit:

$500. One firefighter. One year.

A $500 sponsorship provides one firefighter with one year of funded access to qualifying advanced PPE decontamination services.

The standard annual service model is designed around two advanced liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection. However, the program is not a fixed package that every firefighter must receive.

Actual services depend on the equipment, exposure, inspection requirements, geography, and other qualifying needs.

Why funding is pooled

Afterburn pools sponsorship funds within the program rather than treating each donation as payment for one specific vendor invoice.

This allows the program to accommodate reasonable differences in service costs. One firefighter may need a different combination of qualifying services from another, and transportation or location can affect the overall expense.

The $500 amount is the annual program funding unit. It is not a guarantee that every firefighter receives identical services or that every participant’s direct service costs equal exactly $500.

Step 1: A fire department submits an application

The process begins when a department explains its circumstances and requests consideration for funding.

The application helps Afterburn understand the department’s personnel, protective equipment, current care arrangements, operating environment, financial resources, and anticipated service needs.

Relevant information may include:

The purpose is to document the actual need rather than simply establish that the department would like access to another service.

A clear application helps Afterburn understand both the scale of the request and the barrier preventing the department from moving forward.

Step 2: Afterburn reviews qualification

Afterburn evaluates the department’s documented circumstances against its program criteria.

The review considers whether financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barriers are limiting access to advanced PPE decontamination.

Department type alone does not determine eligibility. Volunteer, rural, combination, and career departments may all be considered when their circumstances demonstrate a genuine need for assistance.

The review also helps establish the anticipated service volume, potential financial assistance, and practical requirements for participation.

What qualification does and does not mean

Qualification establishes that a department meets the program’s criteria for consideration. It does not automatically mean that funding is immediately available.

Afterburn must also work within the philanthropic resources available to the program. Sponsorship depends on available funding and the program’s allocation process.

Qualified departments may be asked to complete a participation letter documenting their intention to participate if sponsorship funding becomes available.

That documentation helps establish the department’s anticipated need and supports the program’s planning and fundraising.

Step 3: Philanthropic funding supports firefighter sponsorships

Afterburn raises philanthropic support to fund qualifying services for participating departments.

The program’s $500 annual sponsorship unit gives donors a consistent way to understand the scale of their support. For example, $5,000 represents ten annual firefighter sponsorships, while $25,000 represents fifty.

Those amounts describe annual sponsorship capacity, not a promise that every sponsored firefighter will receive identical services or that the money will be spent on a one-to-one vendor invoice.

Because funds are pooled, Afterburn can account for reasonable differences in service needs and costs. This is particularly important when departments operate in different locations, use different equipment configurations, or face different transportation requirements.

The funding process connects documented demand with available philanthropic resources. It also gives Afterburn a basis for reporting how many firefighters are sponsored and what services the program funds.

Step 4: Afterburn coordinates access to a qualified provider

Once sponsorship funding is available, Afterburn coordinates the service pathway with the department and an independent provider that meets the program’s qualification requirements.

Afterburn does not perform the decontamination itself. The provider is responsible for delivering the agreed service using its equipment and established procedures.

How providers are qualified

Afterburn’s current provider model uses equipment certification and performance criteria rather than qualifying providers solely by brand.

Under the program’s current requirements, providers must operate machines that pass the required Underwriters Laboratories (UL) inspection and certification criteria. Cool Clean is currently the only manufacturer identified by Afterburn as producing machines that meet this requirement.

The provider’s service capabilities, process, relevant qualifications, logistics, and other program requirements also matter.

This approach allows Afterburn to connect departments with qualifying independent providers without becoming the manufacturer or service operator itself.

Coordinating the practical details

The specific service plan depends on the department’s qualifying needs and the equipment being treated.

Coordination may include confirming the service requirements, arranging transportation, scheduling the work, and clarifying the documentation needed when the service is completed.

Geography can affect how this works in practice. A department near a provider may face different transportation requirements from one that must ship equipment over a longer distance.

These details are part of making the funding operationally useful, rather than simply making a financial commitment on paper.

Step 5: The provider performs the service

The qualified provider performs the agreed advanced PPE decontamination services.

The service delivered should reflect the department’s qualifying needs, the equipment involved, and the applicable care requirements. The standard annual sponsorship model provides a planning benchmark, but actual services can vary.

Routine washing remains an important part of a department’s overall PPE-care program. Participation in the Clean Gear Program does not remove the department’s responsibility to follow applicable standards, manufacturer instructions, and other required cleaning, inspection, and maintenance procedures.

Advanced decontamination should also be understood in terms of demonstrated performance. A completed service does not establish that every possible contaminant has been removed or that a particular health outcome is guaranteed.

The program’s role is to make qualifying services accessible and document what was provided.

Step 6: Afterburn tracks utilization, costs, and impact

The process does not end when the gear has been serviced. Afterburn tracks relevant program information so it can understand how sponsorship funding is being used and report the results responsibly.

Depending on the service and program records, this can include:

These measures help Afterburn distinguish between funding commitments and actual service delivery.

For example, the number of firefighters sponsored is not the same as the number who have already received services. Tracking both makes the program’s progress clearer and supports more accurate reporting.

Why impact reporting matters

Donors need to understand what their support made possible. Departments need a clear record of participation and service delivery. Afterburn needs reliable information to understand the program’s actual costs and improve how it operates.

The foundation can use those records to report the number of departments served, firefighters sponsored, and qualifying services funded, alongside the program’s financial and operational results.

The objective is to report what actually happened, not imply that every dollar purchased an identical service or produced a guaranteed health outcome.

Who should apply for the Clean Gear Program?

The program is intended for fire departments whose access to advanced PPE decontamination is limited by a documented financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barrier.

A department does not automatically qualify because it is volunteer, rural, or small. Likewise, a career department is not automatically excluded. Afterburn evaluates the department’s actual circumstances and anticipated needs.

If your department is interested in advanced decontamination but cannot readily afford the service, the application is the place to explain your situation and request consideration.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Afterburn Clean Gear Program provide?

The program provides financial assistance for qualifying advanced firefighter PPE decontamination. Afterburn connects documented department need with philanthropic funding and qualified independent service providers.

How much does it cost to sponsor a firefighter?

The annual sponsorship unit is $500 per firefighter. It provides one firefighter with one year of funded access to qualifying advanced PPE decontamination services. Actual services and costs vary, and sponsorship funds are pooled within the program.

Does every firefighter receive two cleanings and one inspection?

Not necessarily. The standard annual model is designed around two advanced CO₂ decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection, but the actual services funded depend on qualifying need, equipment, exposure, and other circumstances.

Does submitting an application guarantee funding?

No. Afterburn reviews applications against its qualification criteria, and sponsorship depends on available philanthropic funding. Qualification and participation documentation do not guarantee immediate funding.

Does Afterburn perform the cleaning?

No. Afterburn is an access and funding organization, not a manufacturer or cleaning facility. It coordinates access to qualifying services through independent providers that meet the program’s requirements.

Better decontamination shouldn’t depend on your department’s budget.

Afterburn helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way.

Apply for Funding

Help another department get access: Sponsor a Firefighter

Firefighter PPE Cleaning & Decontamination Funding

Fire departments know that protective equipment needs proper care. The challenge is making sure the right services are accessible when department budgets are already stretched across staffing, training, equipment, and day-to-day operations.

Routine turnout gear washing is an essential part of PPE care. But some departments also want to explore advanced decontamination and find that the cost of treatment, transportation, or coordination creates a barrier.

That is the problem the Afterburn Foundation exists to address.

Afterburn helps qualifying fire departments access advanced firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) decontamination when cost stands in the way. It connects documented department need with philanthropic funding and qualified independent service providers.

If your department is evaluating advanced decontamination but cannot readily afford it, understanding the funding pathway is a useful first step.

What is firefighter PPE decontamination funding?

PPE decontamination funding helps make qualifying cleaning and decontamination services accessible to fire departments that face financial barriers.

The need can take different forms. A department may have limited funds for additional services, face significant transportation costs, or operate in an area where accessing a qualified provider requires extra coordination.

Funding assistance is not a substitute for a department’s responsibility to maintain its equipment. It is a way to address a financial barrier that may otherwise prevent access to an appropriate service.

Afterburn’s program focuses on advanced PPE decontamination. It does not manufacture cleaning equipment or operate a cleaning facility. Instead, it raises philanthropic funding and works with qualifying departments and independent service providers.

How Afterburn’s funding model works

Afterburn uses a straightforward annual sponsorship unit:

$500. One firefighter. One year.

A $500 sponsorship provides one firefighter with one year of funded access to qualifying advanced PPE decontamination services.

The standard annual service model is designed around two advanced liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection. However, the program is not a rigid package in which every firefighter must receive identical services.

Actual needs vary with equipment, exposure, inspection requirements, geography, and logistics. One firefighter may need a different combination of qualifying services from another.

Why sponsorship funds are pooled

Afterburn pools sponsorship funds within the program rather than treating each donation as payment for one predetermined vendor invoice.

That flexibility matters because the cost and type of service can vary. Some firefighters may need additional treatment, while others may require different qualifying services based on their equipment and circumstances.

Pooling allows Afterburn to manage reasonable differences in service costs while maintaining a consistent annual sponsorship model.

The $500 amount is the program’s annual funding unit. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every firefighter receives exactly two cleaning cycles and one inspection, or that the same dollar amount is spent on identical services for every participant.

Who may qualify for funding?

Afterburn considers documented need rather than assuming that a department qualifies simply because it is small, rural, or volunteer.

The program is intended for departments whose access to advanced PPE decontamination is limited by financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barriers.

Relevant considerations may include:

These details help Afterburn understand the department’s circumstances and determine whether program assistance may be appropriate.

Eligibility is based on actual, documented need, not department type alone. A volunteer department is not automatically eligible simply because it is volunteer, just as a career department is not automatically ineligible.

The objective is to direct philanthropic resources toward departments whose access to appropriate advanced decontamination is genuinely limited.

How to apply for Afterburn funding

The application process is designed to establish what the department needs, why financial assistance matters, and how the services could be delivered.

Step 1: Submit a department application

The department provides information about its personnel, protective equipment, current care procedures, operating environment, and financial circumstances.

This information gives Afterburn a starting point for understanding the scope of the request. The department should describe its current situation accurately, including any services it already receives and any resources it can contribute.

Step 2: Document the need

Afterburn evaluates the information provided to understand the access barrier and the potential level of assistance required.

That may involve reviewing the department’s current cleaning arrangements, equipment needs, exposure profile, provider access, estimated service volume, and other available funding.

The purpose is to distinguish a general interest in advanced decontamination from a documented need for financial assistance.

Step 3: Determine qualification and participation

Afterburn reviews the application against its program criteria and determines whether the department qualifies for assistance.

Qualified departments may be asked to confirm their intention to participate through a participation letter. This documents the department’s anticipated need and its willingness to participate if sponsorship funding becomes available.

Qualification does not itself guarantee immediate funding. Sponsorship depends on available philanthropic resources and the program’s funding process.

Step 4: Coordinate sponsorship and provider access

When sponsorship funding is available, Afterburn coordinates the next steps with the department and a qualified independent service provider.

The appropriate service plan depends on the equipment, qualifying needs, and applicable care requirements. Transportation, scheduling, and other logistics are coordinated as necessary.

Step 5: Complete the service and document the results

The provider performs the agreed services. Afterburn tracks relevant information about service utilization, costs, and program outcomes.

This helps the foundation understand what funding made possible and report responsibly to its donors and participating departments.

How does Afterburn choose service providers?

Afterburn works with independent service providers that meet its program requirements.

Provider qualification is based on equipment certification and performance, not simply on a company’s brand name. Under Afterburn’s current qualification model, providers must operate machines that pass the required Underwriters Laboratories (UL) inspection and certification criteria.

Cool Clean is currently the only manufacturer identified by Afterburn as producing machines that meet this program requirement. Independent service providers may operate qualifying equipment from that manufacturer.

Departments should still understand which provider will perform their service, what process will be used, and how the provider’s qualifications relate to the equipment being treated.

Afterburn’s role is to connect qualifying departments with service capacity. It does not operate the cleaning equipment or perform the decontamination itself.

What if a department can pay for part of the service?

A department does not necessarily need to demonstrate that it can contribute nothing to be considered.

Afterburn’s program model includes several potential pathways:

The appropriate pathway depends on the department’s circumstances and the program’s available resources. These pathways are not automatic awards or guarantees of funding.

The principle is straightforward: philanthropic funding should address a real access barrier rather than replace resources a department can reasonably provide itself.

Why this funding model matters

A department’s ability to access advanced decontamination can depend on more than whether a service exists.

Provider location, transportation, staffing, equipment requirements, and available budget all affect whether the service is practical. For some departments, funding assistance can help bridge that gap.

Afterburn’s approach connects documented need with philanthropic support and qualified service capacity. It also allows the foundation to track how funds are used, understand actual service costs, and report what the program makes possible.

The $500 annual sponsorship unit gives donors a consistent way to understand the program’s scale, while pooled funding allows services to respond to differences in actual need.

For departments, the next step is to document their circumstances and apply for consideration.

Frequently asked questions

Can fire departments get funding for advanced PPE decontamination?

Yes. The Afterburn Foundation helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way. Departments can apply for funding and provide information about their equipment, current care practices, financial circumstances, and service needs.

Is Afterburn a government grant program?

No. Afterburn is a philanthropic access and funding organization. It raises funds to help qualifying departments access advanced PPE decontamination through qualified independent service providers.

Does a department have to be volunteer or rural to qualify?

No. Qualification is based on documented financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barriers. Department type alone does not determine eligibility.

Does a $500 sponsorship pay for exactly two cleanings and one inspection?

Not necessarily. The $500 sponsorship is the annual program funding unit for one firefighter. The standard service model is designed around two advanced CO₂ decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection, but actual services vary according to need. Sponsorship funds are pooled to accommodate those differences.

Does submitting an application guarantee funding?

No. Applications are evaluated against program criteria, and assistance depends on available philanthropic funding. Qualification and participation documentation help establish need but do not guarantee immediate sponsorship.

Better decontamination shouldn’t depend on your department’s budget.

Afterburn helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way.

Apply for Funding

Help another department get access: Sponsor a Firefighter

Firefighter PPE Grants: Funding Options for Departments

Fire departments need reliable protective equipment. They also need the resources to maintain that equipment, clean it appropriately, and manage contamination after an incident.

When budgets are tight, chiefs and personal protective equipment (PPE) officers often look for grants or other financial assistance. But not every funding opportunity pays for the same thing. A grant for purchasing new turnout gear may not cover routine cleaning, and a program that helps fund advanced decontamination may not pay for replacement equipment.

Understanding that distinction can save departments time and help them pursue funding that matches their actual needs.

This guide explains the main funding pathways to consider, how to evaluate a potential opportunity, and where the Afterburn Foundation’s decontamination-access program fits.

What are firefighter PPE grants?

Firefighter PPE grants are funding opportunities that help departments purchase, replace, or otherwise support protective equipment. Depending on the program, eligible expenses may include structural turnout gear, wildland protective clothing, helmets, gloves, respiratory protection, or other approved equipment.

The exact rules vary by funding source. Some programs focus on equipment acquisition, while others may support broader firefighter safety initiatives or specific operational needs.

Before applying, a department should confirm what the funding source actually permits. The fact that an opportunity mentions firefighter safety or PPE does not automatically mean it will cover cleaning or decontamination services.

Equipment-purchase grants vs. PPE-care funding

These funding needs are related, but they are not interchangeable.

Funding type Primary purpose What departments should verify
Equipment-purchase grants Purchase or replace eligible protective equipment Which equipment, costs, and department types qualify
PPE-care funding Support eligible cleaning, maintenance, or related care expenses where permitted Whether service expenses are explicitly eligible
Advanced decontamination assistance Help qualifying departments access specialized decontamination services Whether the program covers the specific service and associated logistics
General firefighter-safety funding Support activities defined by the funder Whether the proposed project fits the program’s priorities and rules

A department looking for new turnout gear should pursue opportunities designed for equipment purchases. A department that already has protective equipment but cannot afford advanced decontamination needs a different funding pathway.

Neither need is less important. The key is matching the request to the funding source.

Where can departments look for PPE funding?

The appropriate opportunities depend on the department’s location, operating model, project, and eligibility.

Government grant programs

Federal, state, and local government programs periodically offer funding for specified public-safety needs. Some opportunities may support eligible equipment purchases, while others focus on different aspects of fire-service operations.

Departments should review the current application guidelines, eligible expenses, deadlines, matching-fund requirements, and award conditions through the official administering agency.

Do not assume that a program will pay for advanced decontamination simply because it funds firefighter equipment or safety initiatives.

State and local funding sources

State agencies, local governments, and regional public-safety initiatives may offer opportunities that differ from national programs.

Departments should review the rules applicable to their jurisdiction and confirm whether operating expenses, contracted services, transportation, or specialized PPE care are eligible.

Foundations and private philanthropy

Private foundations, community organizations, businesses, and individual donors may support firefighter equipment and safety needs.

Unlike government grant programs, these funders establish their own priorities and restrictions. Some may be interested in a defined project or group of departments; others may focus on a particular geography or community need.

A strong funding request should explain the problem, the department’s circumstances, the proposed use of funds, and the practical result the funding would make possible.

Dedicated decontamination assistance

Departments seeking help with advanced PPE decontamination can also look beyond equipment-purchase grants.

The Afterburn Foundation provides a separate philanthropic pathway for qualifying departments whose access to advanced decontamination is limited by financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barriers.

Afterburn is not a government grant program. It raises philanthropic funding and connects documented department need with qualified independent service providers.

How Afterburn’s funding model works

Afterburn uses a consistent annual sponsorship unit:

$500. One firefighter. One year.

A $500 sponsorship provides one firefighter with one year of funded access to qualifying advanced PPE decontamination services.

The standard annual service model is designed around two advanced liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection. However, this is not a fixed package that every firefighter must receive. Actual services depend on the equipment, exposure, and other qualifying needs.

Why sponsorship funds are pooled

Afterburn pools sponsorship funds within its program rather than treating every donation as payment for one specific vendor invoice.

This allows the program to accommodate reasonable differences in service costs. One firefighter may need a different combination of services from another, and transportation or geography can affect the total cost.

The $500 amount is the annual program funding unit, not a guarantee that every firefighter receives identical services or that every participant’s direct service costs will equal exactly $500.

Who can qualify?

Afterburn evaluates documented need. Relevant considerations include the department’s current PPE-care arrangements, equipment and service needs, available resources, location, provider access, and other funding sources.

Volunteer, rural, and smaller departments may face significant access barriers, but department type alone does not determine eligibility. Career and combination departments may also qualify if their circumstances demonstrate a genuine need for assistance.

How to pursue funding for your department

Whether you are applying for a government grant, approaching a private foundation, or seeking Afterburn assistance, start by defining the specific need.

1. Identify the expense

Be precise about what the department needs funded. Is the request for replacement gear, routine laundering, advanced decontamination, inspection, transportation, or a combination of eligible services?

A clear request makes it easier to identify suitable funding sources.

2. Document the current situation

Gather information about the department’s equipment, existing care procedures, anticipated service needs, available resources, and financial constraints.

For advanced decontamination assistance, this information helps explain why the department cannot readily access the service without support.

3. Check the funder’s rules

Confirm eligibility, allowable expenses, deadlines, required documentation, and any matching or reporting obligations.

Never assume that a grant will cover a service simply because it relates broadly to firefighter safety.

4. Explain the practical need

Describe what the department needs, why existing resources are insufficient, and how the requested funding would address the barrier.

For an advanced decontamination request, focus on the department’s actual circumstances rather than claiming that one technology guarantees a particular health outcome.

5. Submit the appropriate application

Use the official application process for the specific funding source. For Afterburn, departments can submit an application for review of their circumstances and potential qualification for assistance.

Qualification does not guarantee immediate funding. Afterburn assistance depends on program criteria and available philanthropic resources.

What information should a department prepare?

The details will vary by funding source, but departments seeking advanced decontamination assistance should be prepared to explain:

This information helps establish the actual access barrier and the scale of assistance being requested.

Make sure the funding matches the need

A department that needs new turnout gear should look for equipment-purchase funding. A department that already has gear but cannot afford advanced decontamination should investigate funding that supports services rather than equipment acquisition.

The distinction matters because a well-written application can still fail if the proposed expense does not fit the funder’s rules.

Afterburn exists specifically to help qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way. For departments facing that barrier, it provides an alternative to relying exclusively on equipment-purchase grants.

Frequently asked questions

Are there grants for firefighter PPE?

Yes. Government agencies, foundations, local organizations, and private donors may offer funding for eligible firefighter equipment or safety needs. Each opportunity has its own eligibility rules and allowable expenses.

Do firefighter PPE grants cover cleaning and decontamination?

Not necessarily. Some funding opportunities focus on purchasing or replacing equipment. Departments must verify whether cleaning, maintenance, advanced decontamination, or transportation expenses are eligible under the specific program.

Is Afterburn a government grant?

No. The Afterburn Foundation is a philanthropic access and funding organization. It helps qualifying departments access advanced PPE decontamination through funding and qualified independent service providers.

Can volunteer fire departments apply for Afterburn funding?

Yes. Volunteer departments may apply, but eligibility depends on documented need and the program’s criteria, not volunteer status alone.

Does a $500 Afterburn sponsorship cover exactly two cleanings and one inspection?

No fixed service package is guaranteed. The $500 sponsorship is the annual program funding unit for one firefighter. The standard model is designed around two advanced CO₂ decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection, with services varying according to actual need and pooled program funding.

Better decontamination shouldn’t depend on your department’s budget.

Afterburn helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way.

Apply for Funding

Help another department get access: Sponsor a Firefighter

Can Volunteer Fire Departments Get Help Paying for PPE Decontamination?

Volunteer firefighters protect their communities while balancing the demands of emergency response with the resources available to their departments. Keeping protective equipment properly maintained is part of that responsibility, but accessing every appropriate cleaning service can be difficult when budgets are limited.

Routine turnout gear washing is essential. Advanced personal protective equipment (PPE) decontamination can provide another option for managing contamination, depending on the equipment, exposure, and process involved. Yet the cost of specialized services, transportation, and coordination can create barriers for departments that want to explore them.

So, can volunteer fire departments get help paying for advanced PPE decontamination?

Yes. The Afterburn Foundation helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way. Eligibility depends on documented need and the program’s criteria, not volunteer status alone.

Why PPE decontamination can be difficult to afford

Volunteer departments vary considerably in size, funding, geography, and operating responsibilities. Some have substantial resources, while others must make difficult choices among equipment, training, staffing, and routine operating expenses.

Advanced decontamination may introduce costs beyond a department’s existing laundering arrangements. Treatment, transportation, provider access, and coordination can all affect whether a service is practical.

For a department already managing a tight budget, those expenses may be difficult to accommodate even when leadership wants to evaluate additional cleaning options.

The issue is not that every volunteer department lacks funding. It is that some departments face genuine financial or logistical barriers that prevent them from accessing services they believe are worth considering.

Why access matters for firefighter gear

Firefighters can encounter hazardous substances during structural fires, wildland fires, vehicle fires, and other emergency responses. Contamination may remain on protective equipment after an incident, and handling or transporting that equipment can create opportunities for contamination to spread.

Appropriate cleaning and handling procedures are part of managing those exposures.

Routine washing remains essential. Advanced decontamination offers an additional option that departments can evaluate according to their equipment, exposure profile, applicable requirements, and the evidence supporting a particular process.

No single cleaning method should be represented as eliminating every contaminant or preventing cancer. The practical goal is to manage contamination through appropriate procedures and make informed decisions about available services.

Does being a volunteer department automatically qualify you?

No. Afterburn evaluates documented need rather than using department type as the sole measure of eligibility.

A volunteer department may qualify if its access to advanced decontamination is limited by financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barriers. A career or combination department may also qualify if it can document a genuine need for assistance.

This distinction matters because departments do not all have the same circumstances. A department’s staffing model alone does not establish whether it can afford a service or whether philanthropic assistance is appropriate.

What does Afterburn consider?

The application process is intended to establish the department’s current circumstances and the scope of its need. Relevant information may include:

This information helps Afterburn assess the access barrier and determine whether the department may qualify for assistance.

The objective is to direct philanthropic resources toward departments whose ability to access appropriate advanced decontamination is genuinely limited, regardless of their staffing model.

How the Afterburn funding program works

Afterburn connects documented department need with philanthropic funding and qualified independent service providers. It does not manufacture cleaning equipment or operate a decontamination facility.

The program uses a consistent annual sponsorship unit:

$500. One firefighter. One year.

A $500 sponsorship provides one firefighter with one year of funded access to qualifying advanced PPE decontamination services.

The standard annual service model is designed around two advanced liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection. However, the program is not a fixed package that every firefighter must receive.

Actual services depend on the equipment, exposure, inspection requirements, geography, and other qualifying needs.

Why the funding is pooled

Afterburn pools sponsorship funds within the program rather than treating each donation as payment for one predetermined vendor invoice.

That flexibility allows the program to accommodate reasonable differences in service costs. Some firefighters may need a different combination of services, and transportation or location can affect the overall expense.

The $500 amount is the annual program funding unit, not a guarantee that every firefighter receives identical services or that every participant’s direct service costs equal exactly $500.

How volunteer departments can apply

The application process helps Afterburn understand the department’s needs, evaluate its circumstances, and determine whether financial assistance may be appropriate.

Step 1: Document your department’s needs

Start by identifying the number of firefighters and equipment sets involved, your current cleaning arrangements, and the services you want to access.

Be specific about the barrier. Is the challenge the treatment cost, transportation, provider availability, limited departmental resources, or a combination of factors?

Step 2: Submit an application

Provide the department information requested through Afterburn’s funding application. Include accurate information about available resources, existing services, and other potential funding.

The purpose is to establish a clear picture of the department’s circumstances, not simply to demonstrate that additional services would be welcome.

Step 3: Complete the qualification review

Afterburn reviews the application against its program criteria. The review considers documented need and the department’s ability to access advanced decontamination without assistance.

Qualified departments may be asked to complete a participation letter documenting their intention to participate if sponsorship funding becomes available.

Qualification does not guarantee immediate funding. Assistance depends on program criteria and available philanthropic resources.

Step 4: Coordinate funding and provider access

When sponsorship funding is available, Afterburn coordinates the next steps with the department and a qualified independent service provider.

The appropriate services depend on the equipment and qualifying needs. Scheduling, transportation, and other logistics are coordinated as necessary.

Step 5: Complete the service and document the results

The provider performs the agreed services, and Afterburn tracks relevant information about service utilization, costs, and program outcomes.

This helps the foundation understand what the funding made possible and report responsibly to its donors and participating departments.

What if your department can contribute some of the cost?

A department does not necessarily need to demonstrate that it can contribute nothing to be considered.

Afterburn’s program model includes several potential pathways:

The appropriate pathway depends on the department’s circumstances and the program’s available resources. These are potential forms of assistance, not automatic awards.

The principle is straightforward: funding should address a genuine access barrier rather than replace resources a department can reasonably provide itself.

What if your department already washes its turnout gear?

Having an established washing program does not automatically rule out the need for advanced decontamination.

Routine laundering remains an important part of PPE care. Advanced decontamination is an additional option that a department can evaluate based on the contaminants involved, the equipment, the evidence supporting the process, and applicable requirements.

A department should not assume that it needs a particular technology simply because it is available. Nor should it assume that routine washing answers every question about contamination.

The first step is to understand your current procedures and identify whether additional treatment is appropriate for your circumstances. If the department determines that advanced decontamination is worth pursuing but cost stands in the way, Afterburn may provide a funding pathway.

Frequently asked questions

Can volunteer fire departments get funding for PPE decontamination?

Yes. The Afterburn Foundation helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way. Departments must document their needs and meet the program’s qualification criteria.

Do volunteer departments automatically qualify for Afterburn funding?

No. Eligibility depends on documented financial, geographic, logistical, or departmental-resource barriers. Volunteer status alone does not determine eligibility.

Does Afterburn pay for new turnout gear?

Afterburn’s Clean Gear Program focuses on access to qualifying advanced PPE decontamination, not purchasing replacement equipment. Departments should review the program’s current criteria to determine which services may qualify.

Does a $500 sponsorship cover exactly two cleanings and one inspection?

Not necessarily. The $500 sponsorship is the annual program funding unit for one firefighter. The standard model is designed around two advanced CO₂ decontamination cycles and one annual advanced inspection, but actual services vary according to need and pooled program funding.

What happens after a department applies?

Afterburn reviews the application and the department’s documented need. Qualified departments may complete participation documentation, after which sponsorship and provider coordination depend on available funding. Submitting an application does not guarantee immediate assistance.

Better decontamination shouldn’t depend on your department’s budget.

Afterburn helps qualifying fire departments access advanced PPE decontamination when cost stands in the way.

Apply for Funding

Help another department get access: Sponsor a Firefighter