What should be done if personal protective equipment (PPE) comes into contact with retardant?

When personal protective equipment (PPE) comes into contact with retardant, the most appropriate action is to change the equipment. This is important because retardant can potentially compromise the integrity of the PPE, decreasing its protective capabilities. Changing the equipment ensures that firefighters remain fully protected while working in hazardous environments.

Using contaminated PPE can lead to serious risks, as the retardant may not only affect the equipment itself but could also introduce safety hazards to the wearer. Therefore, immediately replacing any compromised gear is a critical safety practice in wildland firefighting.

While cleaning might seem like a viable option, it may not fully restore the PPE to its original functional state. Discarding it is extreme unless the equipment is clearly damaged or has degraded significantly, and continuing to use it could expose firefighters to unnecessary risks. Changing the PPE ensures safety and operational effectiveness in the field.