Protective Gear Rack Covers Support Firefighter Cancer Prevention Efforts

When a local Colorado fire department contacted us about protective covers for their wall-mounted gear racks, we knew this was a project that mattered. Firefighters are exposed to a wide range of cancer-causing contaminants in the line of duty, and minimizing secondary exposure is a growing priority for departments nationwide.

In many stations, turnout gear is stored on racks located in the same bay as fire engines. While this setup allows for rapid response, it also exposes protective gear to diesel exhaust, airborne particulates, and other contaminants generated by emergency vehicles. Over time, these particulates can settle into bunker gear and increase health risks when worn.

To better understand the department’s needs and support their cancer prevention initiative, we visited one of their stations in person. Touring the facility and speaking directly with firefighters gave us valuable insight into how their equipment is stored, accessed, and used during emergencies. That proved critical in designing an effective solution.

For the initial station, we fabricated a custom firefighter gear rack cover using heavy-duty 10 oz vinyl-coated polyester fabric, selected for its durability and ease of cleaning. The rack itself consisted of a single 21-cubby unit, requiring each firefighter to have fast, unobstructed access to their gear. To accommodate this, the cover includes individual zippers and clear vinyl label pockets for each cubby, allowing gear to remain protected while still quickly accessible.

The cover also features reinforced top and side hems, along with integrated openings for a security cable. This allows the cover to be securely attached to wall hooks or directly to the gear rack using zip ties, ensuring it stays in place in an active fire station environment.

One member of the department shared their experience with the new covers:

“Not only do they look and fit so good, they are really functional. Not only to protect the fire fighter's bunker gear from getting wet when they wash the Fire Engine in the bay, but to help protect them from cancer. In a commercial garage with diesel and gas engines, even with a dedicated exhaust ventilation system, there are still cancerous particulates that settle in the bay and on their gear. The concern then is that when they put this gear on, those particulates are then held against their skin and being absorbed. These covers are another small piece in trying to mitigate this as much as possible. Thank you folks so much for the outstanding customer service and product quality. We are so pleased!”

Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities. We’re proud to support their efforts by providing custom protective covers that help safeguard their health, extend the life of their equipment, and contribute to long-term cancer prevention initiatives within fire stations.