Supporting Firefighter Health, Safety, and Equipment Readiness

Lookingglass Rural Fire District (LRFD) is committed to improving firefighter safety and maintaining the operational readiness of our equipment. As part of that commitment, LRFD is working toward the purchase of a professional-grade turnout extractor and drying cabinet system.

Community support from our upcoming Open House on June 27th, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM will directly contribute to this effort. Suggested donations collected during the event will be dedicated to this project.

Project Overview

Based on our current vendor quote , LRFD is planning for the purchase of:

• Wascomat EW22G Extractor – approximately $4,679
• Ready Rack Smart-Dry 4 Cabinet – approximately $9,900
• Total Project Cost (including shipping): approximately $15,695

Note: Electrical installation for the drying cabinet is not included in this cost and will require additional funding.

Why This Equipment Is Needed

Turnout Extractor

A professional turnout extractor is specifically engineered to clean structural firefighting gear in accordance with NFPA 1851 standards. Unlike household washers, these machines:

• Handle the weight and bulk of turnout gear safely
• Reduce cross-contamination
• Allow multiple sets of gear to be cleaned at once
• Improve decontamination following fire exposure

Currently, LRFD uses a residential washing machine. This requires outer shells and liners to be washed separately, significantly increasing the time required to clean even a single set of gear.

Drying Cabinet

The drying cabinet uses controlled airflow and low heat to safely dry:

• Turnout gear
• Gloves and boots
• Helmets
• Fire hose

This process protects gear integrity while ensuring compliance with recommended care and maintenance standards.

Current Challenges

LRFD currently relies on air drying for both turnout gear and hose. In Oregon’s climate—particularly during winter months—drying times can range from several weeks to over a month.

Each volunteer is issued only one set of turnout gear. Extended drying times can leave firefighters without properly maintained protective equipment. Additionally, prolonged drying increases the risk of:

• Mildew and mold growth
• Material degradation
• Reduced protective performance

Fire hose presents similar challenges. After use, hose is hand-washed and placed on racks under a pole barn where it remains exposed to moisture and sunlight. This leads to:

• UV-related deterioration
• Moisture-related internal breakdown
• Delays in returning hose to service

At times, hose must either be stored before fully drying or left out for extended periods due to weather conditions, both of which accelerate wear.

Cost Considerations

Replacement costs for essential equipment are significant:

• Structural turnout gear: $3,500–$5,000 per set
• 1¾” structural hose: $250–$400 per 50’ section
• 2½” structural hose: $300–$500 per 50’ section
• 1½” hose: $200–$350 per 50’ section
• Wildland hose (1”–1½”): $100–$250 per section

NFPA standards require regular inspection, testing, and eventual replacement of turnout gear and hose. Improper cleaning and drying accelerate wear, increasing replacement frequency and cost.

Funding Efforts

As a fully volunteer, non-staffed agency, LRFD operates with limited financial resources and relies heavily on grants and community support.

LRFD has applied for the Good Neighbor State Farm Grant in the amount of $10,000, which would fund a significant portion of this project.

If awarded, combined grant funding and community donations will allow LRFD to complete this project and place the equipment into service.

If LRFD is not awarded the State Farm grant, funds collected will be retained in a dedicated account where funding is specifically reserved for firefighter health and safety needs, including this project.

Community Impact

This project directly supports:

• Firefighter health and safety
• Faster return of gear and hose to service
• Compliance with national standards
• Extended lifespan of critical equipment
• Improved operational readiness

How You Can Help

We invite the community to attend our Open House on June 27th and support this effort. Your contributions directly impact the safety of our volunteers and the level of service we are able to provide to the Lookingglass community.

LRFD appreciates your continued support.