New hoses help DMFD reduce exposure to carcinogens inside stations

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Fire Department received two grants to help fund new technology to improve the health of its firefighters inside fire stations.

A prominent new technology is a yellow hose, known as the Direct Capture Diesel Exhaust Hose. The hose attaches to the engine of a firetruck and is designed to take any emissions that come out of the truck when it starts. As the truck begins to move out of the station, the hose follows before detaching on its own.

The goal of the hose is to prevent the exhaust from being released inside of the station and having chemicals and pollutants linger inside.

“These hoses are a huge benefit for us just from in terms of the contaminants,” said Fire Marshal Jonathan Lund.

Lund said that firefighters are exposed to several carcinogens when they’re on the scene of the fire, but they’re also exposed to unnecessary pollutants inside their stations because of the diesel exhaust. While they can’t control their exposure at a fire, this new technology can help them control their exposure at the station.

Station 11 is the newest station for the Des Moines Fire Department. It was built in 2021 and was equipped with the Direct Capture Diesel Exhaust Hoses. The department is already renovating Station 4 and will have the hoses available there soon.

In late September, the department announced it received two grants to improve health and safety conditions at its stations.

A Community Betterment Grant from Prairie Meadows, amounting to $32,327, will be used to acquire a Solo Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Decon Washer. This tool is used to decontaminate firefighting gear. Lund described this equipment as a powerful washing machine.

The department was also awarded $507,375 through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. This money will go towards equipping the remaining nine fire stations in Des Moines with Direct Capture Diesel Exhaust Hoses.

“I lead our fire preventions section, so I’m always about prevention. Anything we can do to prevent the bad things from happening is a good thing. All of the stuff like this, these advancements and mitigating contaminants within the station, is a good thing,” said Lund.

According to the department, they start their engines over 63,000 times annually to respond to emergency calls. This technology will help reduce unnecessary chemicals and pollutants.

This comes after the fire department was unsuccessful in pushing for legislation to expand coverage for firefighters with cancer during the last legislative session.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.