To: Board of Directors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Emergency Technical Decon - Turnout Cleaning, Inspections and Repairs
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to execute a contract with Emergency Technical Decon, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $700,000 for personal protective equipment cleaning, inspections and repairs, for the period April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029. (100% CCCFPD General Operating Fund)
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% CCCFPD General Operating Fund
BACKGROUND:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for firefighter safety, offering vital protection from heat, smoke, chemicals, and physical hazards. Regular inspections, cleaning, and prompt repairs are crucial to ensure this gear remains effective and reliable.
Emergency Technical Decon (ETD) was chosen because it provides a highly specialized and standards-compliant solution for turnout gear maintenance that matches the operational and safety requirements of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. ETD is an NFPA 1850/1851 Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Verified Independent Service Provider (ISP), ensuring adherence to nationally recognized standards for cleaning, inspecting, and repairing firefighting PPE.
In addition to meeting compliance requirements, ETD provides critical capabilities to address emerging risks in modern fire environments. Lithium-ion battery fires present unique contamination hazards, releasing toxic gases, heavy metals, and persistent carcinogenic compounds that can deeply embed into turnout gear. These contaminants are often more difficult to remove using traditional water-based extraction methods. Based on vendor research and discussions, many providers using conventional water-based processes either do not accept gear exposed to lithium-ion battery fires or have limited ability to effectively decontaminate such exposure.
ETD utilizes exclusive Liquid CO₂ (LCO₂) technology, a non-water-based process that penetrates fabric layers and more effectively removes embedded contaminants, including those associated with lithium-ion battery fires.
Additionally, ETD offers a comprehensive full-service program that includes:
• No-cost shipping containers and round-trip shipping
• Advanced inspections and certified repairs
• Detailed record-keeping for compliance tracking
Overall, ETD was selected because it provides a compliant, innovative, and safety-focused solution that addresses both traditional and emerging contamination risks while helping preserve equipment durability.
The Director of Purchasing has approved a sole-source request for this vendor.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this contract is not approved, the Fire District will be unable to clean or repair firefighter personal protective equipment.